Word on the Street

TOGGERY’S NIFTY AT 50

In July 1972, five months before the ribbon was cut on a brand-new Telluride Ski Resort, a young couple named Terry Tice and Susan Gulick took a gamble that their little town was onto something big and opened a clothing store, Telluride Trappings and Toggery, on the east 100 block of Colorado Avenue. Fast forward 50 years and the Toggery, owned by Todd Tice (Terry’s nephew) and Wendy Basham since 2004, is a much-loved

grand dame of main street, offering women’s and men’s clothing (the store’s vintage Telluride T-shirts are hugely popular), as well as footwear, jewelry and accessories. The Toggery’s loyal, ever-growing circle of fans flock to this lovely and lightfilled spot safe in the knowledge that whether they want something for an afternoon hike, happy hour or a night on the town — or that perfect gift — Basham and Tice have them covered. The pair are sure hands at stocking their establishment with a mix of fashionable, funky and functional pieces, including locally and sustainably made items. HBD, Toggery!

NEW LEADERSHIP AT SMRC

Laila Benitez is the San Miguel Resource Center’s new executive director. Well known locally for her impactful work in government (she is currently the mayor of Mountain Village) and nonprofits, Benitez has been a consistent advocate for support and funding for community services, in areas like suicide prevention, anti-violence advocacy and women’s and children’s safety. Founded in 1993, the San Miguel Resource Center works to empower and advocate for individuals affected by domestic violence and sexual assault, while promoting social change through prevention education and community awareness. To support SMRC’s important work, go to smrcco.org/donate.

TAB’S YOUNG AMBASSADORS

As part of the TAB Student HIV Awareness Project, 18 Telluride High School students traveled to Denver in late August to explore topics in HIV and AIDS that ranged from health equity and stigma to issues facing the unhoused and prevention education with TAB’s key frontline partners, like Children’s Hospital Colorado, the Brother Jeff Health Initiative and Colorado Health Network. Says TAB Executive Director Jessica Galbo, “These student ambassadors are the next generation ready to tackle this disease that still takes over 600,000 lives globally each year. Some of the fastest rates of infection are in youth groups ages 13-24.”

Galbo adds that presenters fielded questions from students and learned about the work they are doing to combat stigma and misinformation through a number of initiatives, including the Colorado AIDS Walk + Run, as well as the TAB Student Fashion Show, which takes place Feb. 16-17 at the Palm Theatre. The students’ work is part of a wide range of TAB programming that culminates each year with Telluride Fashion Week and Gala Fashion Shows. The 30th annual event, which will be held at the Telluride Conference Center Feb. 24-26, is part of a week of celebrations surrounding HIV awareness, education, creativity, philanthropy and, of course, the community’s love of fashion and fun. Can’t wait until February? Event tickets go on sale on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1. Visit tellurideaidsbenefit.org for more.

Melissa Plantz

Melissa Plantz

DYNAMIC DUO

For nearly 40 years, Telluride Science, the largest independent molecular science center in the world (yes, really), operated primarily in the summer in local classrooms. In 2020, however, this dynamic nonprofit purchased the equally dynamic Depot building, a historic structure on South Townsend Street. Now, renovations are underway that will transform the Depot into the Telluride Science and Innovation Center. It’s a project that is expected to take 16-18 months and culminate in a grand opening in 2024. “We are extremely grateful to our generous donors and supporters who enabled us to purchase the Depot,” says Annie Carlson, director of donor relations for Telluride Science. “Our work is still not complete, though, as we have an additional $4 million to raise to cover the renovation costs.” Learn more at telluridescience.org.

AIARE IN TELLURIDE

NEW MOUNTAIN VILLAGE APP

The American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education now calls Telluride home. AIARE, which relocated to this corner of the San Juans last spring, is a well-known nonprofit established to create an evidence-based avalanche education model for backcountry users and those working in snow and avalanche safety and education. In that regard, it has certainly been a success. Today, AIARE disseminates its curriculum to more than 110 providers worldwide, reaching over 15,000 students annually, and is the most widely used avalanche education curriculum in the United States, including, locally, by the Telluride Ski Patrol. Executive Director Vickie Hormuth points out that the curriculum is an important component of a broad range of AIARE programming, like the popular Women’s Mentorship Program, which is currently in its second year and has as its supporting partners Rab, Mammut and the GORE-TEX brand. “AIARE programming is for everyone from brand-new backcountry users to established avalanche professionals,” Hormuth says. “We are proud to provide quality education, training and scholarship support to both the backcountry enthusiast and the professionals who educate them.” For more, visit avtraining.org.

This winter, the Telluride Mountain Village Owner’s Association and Town of Mountain Village are launching a new Mountain Village app. Created in collaboration with MADKunda Marketing, the app is targeted for visitors and locals and features an all-in-one navigational tool, business directory and tripplanning functionality using a state-of-the-art mapping system. Users will be able to pan, tilt and zoom to see contours of the ski mountain and buildings of the Village Center in 3D.

“You can even navigate to on- and off-mountain destinations by foot or on skis based on your ability level,” says Madeleine Kunda of MADKunda Marketing. “Trying to catch some fresh powder? Check out the daily snow report and stay up to date on what’s open in real time. Remember how tough it can be to meet up with friends for a lap or après? Now you can create and join groups to find friends and family. You can also track your stats to see your vertical, distance, trails skied and more.” Visit townofmountainvillage.com/app.

Liz Riggs Meder

Lisa Granden

Lisa Granden

BEAUTIFULLY SUSTAINABLE CASHMERE RED

Beautiful, unique Cashmere Red, owned by local Caci Grinspan, is laser-focused on sustainability. The boutique at 221 E. Colorado Ave. features custom-designed clothing and accessories handmade to order from skilled craftspeople in the United States using high-quality cashmere yarn. The cashmere is sourced from small-batch, artisan mills in Scotland, including one that has been practicing its craft for 150 years. Grinspan opts for suppliers whose expertise and techniques translate into savings on fabric and energy use. The results are versatile, long-lasting pieces, the kind you buy and wear forever, an approach that eschews throwaway fast fashion. Brava!