Town of Telluride: Council Approves Two Major Event Requests for 2026!

28 Dec Town of Telluride: Council Approves Two Major Event Requests for 2026!

At its regular meeting on Tuesday, December 16, Telluride Town Council approved two major event requests for the 2026 summer season, granting exemptions to the Town’s “Advance Notice of Impacts” requirement for both.

For questions, contact the Town of Telluride at info@telluride.gov.

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The approvals allow planning to move forward for a two-night concert in Town Park and an expanded Telluride Jazz Festival, both of which meet the Town’s definition of a “major” event under the Telluride Municipal Code.

Town Council approved a resolution granting Planet Bluegrass an exemption from the advance notice requirement for a proposed two-night concert in Town Park on August 28 and 29, 2026. The event is proposed as a new major concert with a maximum capacity of up to 9,000 people per day.

As part of the approval, Council included conditions to address community impacts, including requirements related to sound management, coordination with other Town Park users, a local ticket program, and additional funding for potential public safety needs.

Town Council also approved a resolution granting an exemption for the Telluride Jazz Festival, allowing the long-running event to increase its daily capacity from 2,999 to 6,000 people per day, changing its classification from a medium to a major event. The festival is scheduled for August 7 through 9, 2026, and no changes are proposed to its established dates or footprint within Town Park.

The capacity increase is intended to support the festival’s long-term sustainability while continuing coordination with the Town, neighboring residents, and other park users.

Both events have already received approvals from the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Commission for Community Assistance, Arts and Special Events (CCAASE). With Town Council’s action, organizers may now proceed with detailed planning, permitting, and community coordination in advance of the 2026 season.

Telluride, more:

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.