Welcome to the Telluride Institute, a Colorado non-profit organization chartered in 1984. Our mission statement is this: Telluride institute is an innovative non-profit organization that fosters the transition to a sustainable world. We do this by working with communities, businesses, and the public sector to create and advance real solutions which support the health of environments, cultures, and economies. We collaborate with leading artists, scientists, and educators to map a progressive future.

 Since its founding Telluride Institute has been active in educating people both near and far about the world in which we live, and how to become more sustainable in this changing world. Art, literature, science, business, environment, and culture all are important factors in this movement towards a more sustainable society. We’ve been a leading force in both introducing these different components to each other, and fostering a working relationship among them.

Please tour our website and investigate the various projects, festivals, events, and curricula which we have developed and sustained over the past 24 years. Telluride Institute is dynamic. We have partnered with many other non-profits, government entities, and people to adapt our programs to our changing world. The world continues to change, and Telluride Institute is excited about the future.

A prime example of the Telluride Institute acting as a catalyst to create new forums for discussion and implementation of ideas, is the San Miguel Watershed Coalition (SMWC). The Telluride Institute started and promoted the SMWC, and the organization grew with such strength and fervor that the SMWC is now its own entity. Because of the Institute the mayor of Nucla had an opportunity to speak with a vice president from the Telluride Ski and Golf Company. A guide for a Telluride-based rafting company had a chance to meet a fourth generation rancher from Norwood. This is but one example of our work.

The Telluride Institute has indeed been successful in bringing organizations together to accomplish a variety of goals. The core of this success has always been the people associated with the Institute. Founders Pamela Zoline and John Lifton have had an active roll in shaping the Institute programs in the past twenty-four years, and Pamela and John have been responsible in large part for invigorating the personnel working with the Institute.

Today our organization is stronger than ever. Laura Kudo and Eileen Cahalane are the co-directors of the Watershed Education Program, and are responsible for developing and coordinating all of its components. Alessandra Jacobson is the Director of the Bridal Veil Living Classroom and is in charge of this Summer/Fall course which grants college science credits to participating watershed high school students. Kris Holstrom organizes our Mushroom Festival and Ideas Festival, and assists with sustainability instruction.Jeanne Stewart is a WEP instructor and leads our River Scouts program. Jonathan Barfield is a WEP instructor and coordinates our Ideas Festival. Teresa Frank helps plan and run our Mushroom and Ideas Festivals. Suzan Beraza produces, films, and edits our video work. Ellen Metrick is a WEP instructor and assists with our River Scouts program. Jeb Berrier is one of our puppeteers and stars in our watershed video.

                  Thank you,
The staff of the Telluride Institute