News

• Telluride Arts Pushes the Reset Button on the Transfer Warehouse
• Future of Uravan Bridge Uncertain
• Lawmakers Reach Their Final Day

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Telluride Arts Pushes the Reset Button on the Transfer Warehouse

The Telluride Arts District is pushing the reset button on the Transfer Warehouse.

“We have recommitted to our institutional mission,” said Diana Ferrell, a board member for Telluride Arts, speaking before the Telluride Town Council last week.

“We did vote, in late 2024, to abandon the Kundig building design. It was way over the skis for the capacity for the community, and needs for the community — as we saw it. I think the board feels very aligned on that. We did want to proceed with the commitment to shore up the building and make it as useful as possible to the community as soon as possible.”

Telluride Arts took over the Transfer Warehouse building in the mid-2010s with the intention of creating an arts center for the community.

Over the years, the concept and design for what that would be has changed. Costs have gone up, and the community’s needs have shifted.

So now, Telluride Arts is going back to the drawing board.

“If we are to proceed with anything beyond an outdoor setting for community convenings, we would have some need for a redesign,” Ferrell said. “We’re having some conversations about what that would look like. But before we could even begin to think about that, we want to ensure we understand exactly what the best needs for the community are.”

The Transfer Warehouse closed several years ago to begin construction on the last iteration of the building design — which is now scrapped. However, the organization did stabilize the walls and reinstall beam enforcements. On the outside, the space looks similar to how it did when the community used it during COVID-19 — as an indoor-outdoor gathering space.

“It is not entirely a complete venue as it is, but it is usable and it’s safe — even safer than it was when we were using it in COVID,” Ferrell said. “We think of it as a proof of concept. Let’s get this serving the community again, let’s work with our partners in the community to have this really become the heart and soul of what people remember the Transfer Warehouse was before.”

During feedback from Town Council, councilmembers shared their support of the project — but also concern.

“I have some concerns, as someone who has supported this project and loves everything that the Transfer Warehouse was — I want to make that clear, I love this space,” said Councilmember Elena Levin. “But I’m concerned that there’s not a clear plan and there’s not a clear timeline.”

Councilmember Ashley Von Spreecken added her appreciation for the work the Arts District has done to shore up the walls.

“I know that it was monumental to get those walls sturdied and safe and they’re an amazing historical asset to our community, and I definitely applaud you for that work,” she said.

But she also expressed concern about the project’s direction.

“After this new community outreach, if you hear a lot of the same things about what people want, and the reality is the community wants a building or facility that’s tens of millions of dollars, how is your organization going to handle that?” she said. “Because that’s kind of why you backed off the original plan that you had.”

Telluride Arts board member Penelope Gleason said that’s when it’s up to the community to pitch in.

“I think if the community says ‘yes, we want XYZ, and it’s going to cost this much,’ I would frankly say we need help raising that kind of money,” Gleason said. “Community enthusiasm, and community support need to go hand in hand.”

The exact timeline for when the Transfer Warehouse will reopen to the community is still uncertain. Telluride Arts hopes to host events in the space as early as the fall, but it must first go through several steps with the town to be approved for occupancy.

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Future of Uravan Bridge Uncertain

A historic bridge near Uravan, just off Highway 145, may soon face a turning point.

Although the bridge is closed to vehicles, it still serves as a landmark over the San Miguel River — one of the last remnants of a once-thriving mining town.

“Thanks to the Rimrocker Historical Society, we know that this bridge is the second-oldest bridge in Colorado,” said Regan Tuttle, editor of the San Miguel Basin Forum. “Built in the 1880s, it was in the Grand Junction area connecting the town to some orchard property over the Grand River, which became the Colorado. And in the 1930s it got moved to Uravan and was part of the Union Carbide days.”

The site is currently owned by Umetco, which must transfer the bridge either to the U.S. Department of Energy or to a new buyer. County Commissioner Sean Pond held a community listening session last weekend to discuss the future.

“Some people showed up because there are options for the bridge,” Tuttle said. “That’s what Pond was really trying to communicate to people. He said he can’t make any promises — the county can’t make any promises. But can we talk about the options?”

One proposal could see the bridge deeded back to the county for use by pedestrians and cyclists.

“Some people are attached to it — and if you’ve been out there, it’s a really cool bridge,” Tuttle said. “That being said, there’s an uptick in traffic because of the Shamrock Trail. So people are parking out there, taking photos with the bridge, looking at the bridge. People still want to walk across it.”

Other options include demolishing the bridge or relocating it.

“Sarah Bachman, who worked on the master plan for the Naturita Town Park, looked into it before — but she’s open to it now,” Tuttle said. “She says she doesn’t speak on behalf of parks and open space or the Town of Naturita, but having that as an option for Naturita should be a possibility. Of course, taking it apart and reassembling it could be a possibility, but there could be grants and funds available to do that.”

Pond plans to return to the community with cost estimates and next steps. For now, the bridge — known locally as the Black Bridge — remains a symbol of the region’s mining past.

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Lawmakers Reach Their Final Day

Lawmakers in Denver have reached the final day of the 2025 Legislative Session. This week on Capitol Conversation, statehouse reporter Lucas Brady Woods shares an update.

Story begins at 7:55.

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Bear Creek Trail to Close Weekdays for Repairs

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest will temporarily close Bear Creek Trail on weekdays for reconstruction.

Crews will work on restoring the section of trail between the trailhead and the Yellow Jacket Mine. The project includes building stone retaining walls, drainage features and low water crossings.

The trail will remain open on weekends through October. The upper sections of the trail are still accessible via Engineer Pass and Horsethief Trail.

For current conditions, contact the Ouray Ranger District at 970-240-5300.

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Rainbow Preschool Hosts Annual Fundraiser

Rainbow Preschool’s annual silent and live auction fundraiser is set for Friday, May 9.

The event supports the preschool, Rockies school-age program and Rascals toddler program. It will be held at the Science and Innovation Center, with tickets available at the door for $15.

Guests can enjoy catering by Black Salt Catering, complimentary champagne from the Telluride Association of Realtors, live music by Sean Mahoney, and a live auction emceed by Zoe Dohnal.

Auction items include a hot air balloon ride for two, paddleboards, skis, Colorado Rockies baseball tickets, art, lodging, and jewelry. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and champagne is first come, first served.

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Crystal River Campaign Moves Forward Locally

Efforts to secure federal “Wild and Scenic” designation for the Crystal River are staying local — for now.

Michael Gorman of the Wilderness Workshop, a Western Colorado conservation nonprofit, says gathering community input is key before going to Congress with a proposal.

“Right now, what’s most important is what’s happening at the community level,” Gorman said. “What’s nice, I think, in this work is that the Crystal River here is important to everyone in this group and everyone in the community, regardless of their politics.”

The designation protects rivers that are free-flowing and have outstanding natural value. Only one such river currently exists in Colorado — a 76-mile section of the Cache la Poudre River.

A draft proposal for the Crystal is expected by year’s end.

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Navajo Community Gets Running Water for First Time

A section of the Navajo Nation recently got running water for the first time.

Andrew Christiansen, a reporter at The Moab Times-Independent, spoke with Emily Arntsen of KZMU about the development.

Story begins at 17:34.