Town of Telluride: Announcing New Historic Preservation & Planning Director!

09 Nov Town of Telluride: Announcing New Historic Preservation & Planning Director!

Town of Telluride announces Kristen Vose Clothier is hired as Historic Preservation & Planning Director.

Departments undergo reorganization to accommodate changes in staff.

Historic Preservation and Planning Director Vose Clothier can be reached via email at kclothier@telluride-co.gov or by phone at (970) 728-2170.

To learn more about job opportunities with the Town of Telluride, please visit bit.ly/telluridejobs.

The Town of Telluride has hired Kristen Vose Clothier for the role of Historic Preservation, Building & Planning Director, effective November 18, 2024. Kristen was selected through a national search after the Historic Preservation and Planning and Building Departments underwent a reorganization this past spring.

In her new role, Clothier will oversee planning and building activities and historic preservation efforts within Telluride’s National Historic Landmark District. She will manage updates to the Town’s Master Plan, Land Use Code, Design Guidelines, and Building Regulations, and support the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) and Historic & Architectural Review Commission (HARC) by preparing agendas, reports, and recommendations.

Clothier brings over 20 years of experience in natural, historic, and cultural resource preservation, along with expertise in land use planning, community development, and nonprofit leadership. She holds degrees from Yale University, where her studies spanned biological sciences, land use policy, economics, and natural resource management.

In her previous role, Clothier led regional planning initiatives, directed natural resources planning programs, and provided land use planning assistance within a 30-town region in New Hampshire; contributed to regional comprehensive plan development and managed regulatory reviews of developments of regional impact for a regional planning commission on Cape Cod; and most recently directed community and economic development efforts for a rural mountain community in western Colorado, including obtaining nearly $750,000 in grants in the past year for land use planning and local workforce housing initiatives.

Kristen has also held leadership roles with local and regional nonprofit organizations with missions focused on natural, historic, and cultural resource preservation and education. She has significant experience in strengthening local, regional, and global connections and collaborations to catalyze innovative ideas, spark strategic partnerships, foster creative solutions, and amplify collective impact.

Town of Telluride, more:

Telluride, image courtesy of Ryna Bonneau for Visit Telluride

Nestled amidst the majestic San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, Telluride’s captivating narrative is deeply rooted in the ancient legacy of the Ute tribe, the valley’s original inhabitants, who crafted their summer camps along the San Miguel River, naming the land “The Valley of Hanging Waterfalls.”

In the late 1700s, Spanish explorers traversed the rugged terrain, laying the groundwork for subsequent exploration and settlement. A fervent mining boom followed, igniting a rush of prospectors to the region, culminating in the founding of Telluride in 1880.

Telluride’s allure as a hub of opportunity attracted fortune seekers, bolstered by the arrival of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad and groundbreaking innovations like the hydroelectric power plant in Ames.

Set in a box canyon amid forested peaks at the base of the popular Telluride ski-and-golf resort, the town’s historic district houses landmarks like the Sheridan Opera House and the Telluride Historical Museum while playing host to culture, music, arts, outdoor recreation, and festivals with unrivaled views and dramatic locale.