Serving you, homeowners in the Telluride valley, with insights highlighting the abundant happenings and hidden surprises of this wonderfully remote mountain community which we call our year-round home
July 4th at 8,750’ elevation - What an EXPERIENCE!
Experience Telluride’s amphitheater effect in person, watch rodeo roping demonstrations and the infamous Men Without Rhythm marching group at the parade ………….
Telluride’s Fourth of July celebration is something special.
Not only does the Wild come back to the West when the parade marches down Main Street but the fireworks show at dusk is the Best On Earth! Babies, horses, clowns and fire trucks make their way down Main Street providing a backdrop for a classic Fourth of July celebration.
The Telluride Fire Department 
has been providing service to the community for over 130 years and it’s 4th of July event is the premier summer event. The entire day moves like clockwork with an entertaining 10AM parade, then a noon world class small town classic BBQ at Town Park, then more shenanigans and games for the kiddos in Town Park. The night of the fourth never disappoints. The fireworks typically begin as soon as, “the firemen figure that it is dark enough to begin!” Usually after 8:45PM. Telluride’s natural box canyon amphitheater effect adds dramatic ambiance to the fireworks show. The kickback from the surrounding 13,000’ peaks is
something you’ll never forget. Brilliant explosions light up the faces of all the people lying on the grass at the park, the towering snowy peaks and the stars themselves. A magical show indeed!!!!!!!!!
Some of the actual facts and stats of this all-American festivity are; it is a 100% volunteer effort, the show consists of no less than $30K of shells, and a team of highly trained professional display professionals is at hand with years of experience and training. The fireworks display usually takes about 45 astounding minutes. There are over 3,000 shells as small as 2.5 in diameter up to 10-inches in diameter. This is one of the biggest shows in western Colorado, with state-of-the-art technology well utilized as well as some hand loading of the shells. This fireworks celebration is conducted by the volunteer efforts of the three separate fire departments: the Town of Telluride, the Mountain Village and the Placerville (down valley) departments. These entities respond to over 900 calls per year ranging from service response to
all house alarms, fire calls, car accidents via the ambulance service, elevator emergencies, carbon monoxide and gas line breaks. These friendly volunteers are also the first line of defense for wild fire response.
The mid-day BBQ and kids games begin at noon in the Town Park, downtown Telluride. There you will find the classic all-American corn-on-the-cob, beans, beef brisket, bun, beer, brats lunch fare with a big show of locals, tourists and firemen at hand. There are traditional wheelbarrow races and water balloon games and so on for the kids. Bring water, cash, layers of clothes (usually it is very hot with a chance of showers), a sunhat and sunscreen. The following night, Saturday the 5th of July, there is a TMV music concert located at the Telluride conference Center featuring the Johhny Lang Band. Contact Lee at 729-0526 to make a donation for this awesome community event.
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THINGS TO DO:
We strongly suggest that you and your family connect with this spectacular amenity sometime, SOON!
Whichever side of the private property rights vs. public rights you held, the remaining fact of the day is that the Colorado Supreme Court overwhelmingly voted in favor of the condemnation of the Valley Floor, (May, 6-1 in favor). The Town of Telluride is now the legal owner of the 570-acre grasslands/river corridor – designated open space.
The rules are simple. Pack it in/Pack it out. No dogs. No motor vehicles. No creating new trails.
For more visit www.valleyfloor.org
When you think about it in one way or another* you may have contributed to the successful acquisition of this land …………….
…..so don’t hesitate to get out there and enjoy it! It’s our land……it’s your land and open to all!
*back in 1993, 896 votes were cast in a Town of Telluride ballot election, 61% of those votes cast favored the Telluride Town Council resolution called the 20 Percent Solution, which created a fund of public monies earmarked for open space preservation…………… each real estate transaction since then in the TOT has contributed to this conservation fund………..
A simple walk along the river path which originates at the east end of town at the Mahoney street vehicular bridge would be an excellent way to sample what the valley has to offer in the way of beauty, tranquility and an easy going naturalistic outing. WHY? Because it is flat and meandering, picturesque and the little town that could……DID! It is really thrilling to head east, take a gander back and catch a new, surprisingly beautiful view of the peaks at the town’s west end without seeing all the buildings, ski lifts and dogs running amuck! It actually gives you a sense of what the earliest settlers in the area, the Utes Indians, must have felt. There are multitudes of ways to experience the Valley Floor however: mountain bike, hiking, floating, inner tubing, kite flying, instructed kayaking, sunbathing, paragliding and even with a personal naturalist or a private painting tutor!
On Wednesday June 25th the TMV free concert series kicks off at the top of Chondola plaza and will continue all summer long on Wednesday evenings. The Ah Haa School’s overriding goal is to nurture the creative spirit in everyone. Why not nurture and encourage that creativity with an Ah Haa Summer Art Camp or a Fabulous Friday class. Young artists 4-14 will play, explore, and discover different mediums ranging from sculpture and clay to acrylic painting and jewelry making in a curriculum that is designed to develop confidence, creativity, and proficiency. Four-day Art Camps run Monday through Thursday 9am - Noon and 1-4pm and Fabulous Fridays take place on Fridays, 9am - Noon and 1-4pm. The fabulous annual Ah Haa Art Auction date is now set for July 25th.
The Telluride Rock and Roll Academy offers weekly music tutorials in a once-a-day 2-hour format. 10-12 PM or 1-3PM. See their website for more information www.rockandrollacademy.com. At least once a week, the Town’s Bear Creek ranger takes kids for a FREE guided hike up Bear Creek Canyon. After finishing an activity book and completing a project, the kids are certified junior rangers. Join in the fun and learn about plants, wildlife and how to take care of the environment. Call 1-970-728-2173 or visit www.telluride-co.gov .
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Calendar:
Thursday, June 19, 2008 - Sunday, June 22, 2008
Telluride Bluegrass Festival
Four days of bluegrass-based music in Telluride Town Park. Artists include Sam Bush Band, Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby, Ani DiFranco, Yonder Mountain String Band and many more.
800.624.2422
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Bluegrass Brunch
A morning filled with music, brunch, festival hat making and activities for festavarians of all ages at the Telluride Conference Center Plaza in Mountain Village. 10 a.m. to noon.
970.728.1904
Sunday, June 22, 2008 - Saturday, June 28, 2008
Bike Week
A weeklong celebration to promote cycling for transportation and recreation. Events include trail maintenance, group rides, Bike to Work Day, Lizard Head Pass Hill Climb, a film, auction and more. 970.729.1379
Thursday, June 26, 2008 - Sunday, June 29, 2008
Telluride Wine Festival
A weekend of wine tastings, winemakers, seminars with expert sommeliers and food pairings with accomplished chefs.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Who's Bad? The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band
An infectious party production, complete with costumes and dance routines, that takes the audience on a musical expedition through the repertoire of Michael Jackson's music from the 1980s. Sheridan Opera House, 8:30 p.m. 970.728.6363
Sunday, June 29, 2008 - Saturday, July 05, 2008
Telluride Plein-Air
National landscape artists paint in the great outdoors. Their work is then exhibited and auctioned as a fundraiser for the Sheridan Arts Foundation. 970.728.6363
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BACKYARD:
Be aware that the local bears are seeking out new food sources because in their native habitat the berries and bits of plants haven’t blossomed yet due to the unseasonably cold temps this spring. Be sure to lock up your poly cart as instructed to avoid any fines and bring it in before nightfall. Clean the BBQ after use, place your hummingbird and bird seed food in carefully selected and considered location with the fate of a bear’s life being considered. Coordinate with us at Kastle Keepers with regards to when your departing so that the garbage pickup can be orchestrated in a responsible fashion.
The Town has, in recent history, chosen to provide residential trash collection and disposal services by contract with an independent provider (currently Waste Management). The Town acts as collection agent for fees paid by Town residents through their bi-monthly service bills. Customers purchase a 94 gallon bear resistant polycart container for their trash from their provider. Customers are charged extra for trash placed outside of containers.
Residential trash and recycling service is provided once weekly on Thursdays (in case of weeks with a holiday; it is picked up on Fridays). Collection is provided at the alley. The Town of Telluride written policy recommends that polycarts and recycling container (s) should be placed at the edge of your property on Thursday morning by 8am and removed by 6pm. WE STRONGLY recommend that you do not put the trash out until the morning of pick-up. Otherwise a call to arrange for us to schedule our house check after your departure is another way to deal with the trash without tempting the bears.
Telluride is located in the middle of prime bear habitat and the number of bears venturing into town in search of food is increasing. Residents are encouraged to help bears stay wild by making human garbage unavailable to them. Please avoid leaving garbage out that could attract bears to your residence such as table scraps, fish wrappers and remains, grease, fruit rinds, egg shells, pet food or anything sweet. The following tips can help avoid bear-human contacts:
* Double-bag trash tightly to eliminate odors
* Rinse recycling bottles and cans
* Do not leave food in your vehicle
* Utilize trash compactors and garbage disposals for "wet" garbage (food scraps)
* Do not leave pet food or barbecue grills in your yard
* Hang bird feeders very high and away from decks and porches
* Purchase an animal-resistant polycart
* If possible, don't put out "wet" garbage until the day of pick-up
The Town of Telluride encourages all citizens to take the above precautions with their trash and help save a bear's life.
TMV TRASH
Waste Management
Waste Management serves customers in Mountain Village on Tuesdays and Fridays. Waste Management observes several holidays each year and collection day is delayed by one day on the week of the holiday. Contact Waste Management (970) 249-1699 to confirm their holiday schedule.
Please place your trash poly carts and recycle bins out by 8:00 am the day of pick up (not the night before) and return to a secured area by 8:00 am the following day.
Bruin Waste Management
For Mountain Village residents only, trash service and recycling can be billed on your monthly water bill. We contract the service through Bruin Waste Management. You may also contact them directly for service at 1-800-559-2149 or you may choose to use Waste Management out of Montrose as your trash service provider.
Residential trash pick up day for Bruin Waste customers is Tuesday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. During the holidays, Bruin usually maintains their normal route schedule. To confirm the schedule, please contact Mountain Village Utilities Customer Service at (970) 728-5946.
The Oak Street Farmers Market season open on June 13th till October 17th, 2008. The market’s reach has expanded to include the Chair #8/Gondola plaza area. Shoppers will find a wide assortment of locally grown and crafted merchandise at attractive prices. Baked goods, meats, eggs, cheeses, jewelry, body products, handmade tile art, and fresh flowers of course will be available. This regular venue offers a festive and light atmosphere, a bright outpost for the future local sustainability goals and an intriguing way to mingle with the local crowds.
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News:
VALLEY FLOOR
An intensely awaited e-mail was sent out Tuesday, June 03, 2008 9:26 AM. The lead phrase "WE WON" said it all. The content was as follows: "After four months of deliberation, The Colorado Supreme Court ruled 6-1 in favor of the Town of Telluride in its long-standing effort to acquire the 570-acre gateway meadow known as the Valley Floor. At issue was the question of whether the District Court had erred in holding that the Town had the authority to condemn SMVC's property under Article XX of the Colorado Constitution. To view the court's rulings go to http://www.valleyfloor.org and click the link."
"VFPP is thrilled with the decision and proud of the Town and the extended Telluride community’s continued resolve in this effort. This ruling is another major milestone in the longstanding and emotional Valley Floor preservation story and is a tribute to the many hundreds of people who have played a valuable role in the outcome to date, said Jane Hickcox, Director of the Valley Floor Preservation Partners. What a community! Once we recover from this euphoria we will focus our energies on the details of a thoughtful plan to insure the future health, stewardship and enjoyment of this important regional asset."
San Miguel Valley Corporation has 14 days to file a petition for a rehearing. If this does not occur, on the fifteenth day the Supreme Court will issue the Mandate, affirming the District Court's decision and transfers jurisdiction over the case back to it. The District Court then issues the Rule and Order recognizing the legality of the condemnation and this serves as the deed to the property. If SMVC files a petition for a rehearing, the decision is stayed until the matter is decided.
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Kastle Keepers, LLC news:
WORK CONTINUES at the homes…………..
As the unofficial deadline for our homeowner arrivals is just around the corner we find ourselves crunched for breathing and working space! The busy summertime schedule of coming and goings starts around the same time as the Bluegrass festival comes to town. The local weather has been less than cooperative for us and further for any contractors wishing to get started on outside projects at the properties. Each week the promise of summer makes a brief appearance only to give way to snow squalls and foul weather. Painters, windows cleaners, stone masons have all been shut down for the most part in May. The climate pattern has definitively put a damper on the spring check list but with a little fortitude and prioritizing we should get all systems up and running for each of the homes shortly. This month we will (still) be knee deep in flipping hot tubs (draining/clean/refill/balance), arranging for irrigation systems to be re ignited, lawns to get thatched and aerated, fertilized, then the flower bed need a good cleaning, irrigation system installs and repairs and so much more out and inside of the homes. It has been one of the coldest springs anyone can remember. In many respects the valley seems to be 3 to 4 weeks behind normal with such a late winter!
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BUSINESS NOTES:
NOTE: Once you are aware of your arrival and departure dates from the regional airports give us a call either for your personal car to be delivered and waiting at the airport or for a private shuttle in our new Kastle Keepers, LLC Suburban. This private shuttle service is for the exclusive use of homeowners, their guests and the visiting Kastle Retreats, LLC clients who rent the homes that Kastle Keepers, LLC watches after. Take a look at our revised web site www.telluriderealestateguide.com , look under Kastle Retreats, LLC then private homes to see some of the many fine homes available for rent in the region. Regarding the request for Mountain Village parking passes for all Mountain Villager homeowners, Kastle keepers, LLC is in the process of gathering all the permits and delivering them to the individual homes. No need to request we are already on top of it!!
With winter’s grip on the homes we manage lingering well into the early spring, this year just preparing the to-do lists for each residence became difficult. For our team of caretakers here in the southern San Juan Mountains the delay of late May’s typical mild temperatures has caused backlogs on several fronts, i.e.; maintenance and moving ahead with summer preparedness. In fact over Memorial Day at our own home we were still using our snow blower to clear our lawn of snow! This has pulled in the reins on our average spring clean up routine work at the homes, delivery of flower boxes and hanging planters, lawn aeration and fertilization, deck furniture set out, spa flips with brand new water and so on. Exterior projects such as lawn improvement plans, stone masonry work and exterior construction scheduled starts were all jostled by the unseasonable cold temps. We are playing catch up as the temperatures slowly rise. As it warms up we look forward to seeing everybody again this summer!
Are we finally free of the snow! Keep Pedaling!
