Long Term Gondola Plan

Telluride’s gondola system provides free transportation between the Town of Mountain Village and the Town of Telluride. It’s the first and only free public transportation of its kind in the United States. What was once an eight-mile drive between the two towns, the gondola provides a more direct three-mile route over the mountains. Over 2.5 million terminal exits are counted each year. This unique, free transportation system reduces environmental impacts caused by vehicles.

The gondola has adopted the state of Colorado’s Climate Action Plan to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by the year 2020. The plan, called the Green Gondola Project, has a goal to replace 20 percent of its traditional electricity use with locally-generated alternative energy. These local alternatives include solar panels installed on gondola stations, and the purchase of solar panels through the SMPA Community Solar Array.

TMVOA is the primary funding source for the gondola that connects Mountain Village to the town of Telluride, providing approximately $3.5 million annually for operations and maintenance alone. In addition, TMVOA has funded significant improvements to the Gondola, including $6 million in 2007 and 2008 for a complete system upgrade and $1.4 million in 2017 for a redundant power system and 9 additional cabins on the mainline bringing capacity to the max of 1,070 passengers per hour or a 16% increase.

TMVOA’s obligation to fund the gondola expires in 2027 therefore, a Gondola Subcommittee has been created to strategically plan for post-2027. This committee is comprised of stake holders from the Town of Telluride, San Miguel County, Telluride Ski and Golf Company, Town of Mountain Village and TMVOA. The Subcommittee is conducting an economic impact study to better understand the economic role of the gondola.

Link to the Gondola Long-Term roadmap here

Please check back often for updates and don’t hesitate to email us with questions and comments.

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Important Documents and Milestones

  • September 24, 2018 – BBC Final Report  – BBC’s final report on Telluride Gondola ridership forecase and use analysis. Read report here.
  • September 27, 2017 – Gondola Capital Improvements Article  – An article by the Telluride Daily Planet regarding capital improvements to the Gondola system. Read article here.
  • February 19, 2017 – Resolution of the Gondola Subcommittee Approving the Economic Impact Study  – A resolution by the Gondola Subcommittee to engage a vendor to perform an economic impact study of the gondola at an equally shared cost between all five governmental stakeholders. Resolution of the TMVOA Gondola Subcommittee Approving Econ Impact Study
  • November 14, 2016 – Phase One Gondola Ropeway Report – This reports provides analysis of the current system, recommendations for improvements and system requirements and limitations. Phase One Gondola Ropeway Report
  • September 29, 2016 – Resolution to Form Gondola Subcommittee  – A resolution by the TMVOA Board of Directors to create a Gondola subcommittee for the purpose of garnering input from the various governing bodies with respect to the critical issues surrounding all aspects of the gondola, including analysis of long-term planning needs. Gondola Subcommittee Resolution
  • September 2, 2015 – Doppelmayr Gondola Engineering Study – This study reviews the feasibility of increasing the gondola system capacity in addition to the feasibility of accommodating level walk-in cabins. Doppelmayr Gondola Engineering Study
  • July 15, 2015 – Resolution to Form Gondola/Chondola Auxiliary Committee  – A resolution by the TMVOA Board of Directors to create a Gondola/Chondola committee for the purposes of working with TMVOA, the Town of Mountain Village and TSG Ski & Golf to manage any and all gondola and chondola related issues. Gondola Chondola Auxiliary Committee Resolution
  • March 2, 2009 – TMVOA Parametrix Gondola Final Report – This study assesses the current condition of the gondola, the number of personnel required to maintain and operate the gondola and a forecast of the major subsystem overhauls or replacements that will be required through 2027. TMVOA Parametrix Gondola Final Report
  • June 24, 2004 – Chondola Transfer and Funding Agreement –  Transfer ownership of the Chondola cabins and assign the Chondola Function and the Chondola Operating Agreement to the District (Town of Mountain Village). Chondola Transfer and Funding Agreement
  • May 1, 2002 – Chondola Operating Agreement – This agreement allocates the costs of operating, maintaining and repairing the Chondola between TSG Ski & Golf and TMVOA. Chondola Operating Agreement Summary
  • December 12, 2002 – Chondola Operating Agreement – This agreement requires that Telluride Ski and Golf Company is responsible for the costs and operation, maintenance and repair of the Chondola during the operating hours of the Ski Area. Metro Services (TMVOA) is responsible for the costs of the operation of the Chondola during all other times of the Chondola’s operation. Chondola Operating Agreement
  • July 28, 1999 – Gondola Operating Agreement Summary A summary of the agreement which provides for the operation of the gondola in connection with the settlement of the lawsuit between San Miguel County and the Town of Mountain Village. Gondola Operating Agreement Summary
  • July 28, 1999 – Gondola Operating Agreement The full agreement which provides for the operation of the gondola in connection with the settlement of the lawsuit between San Miguel County and the Town of Mountain Village. Gondola Agreement July 1999
  • July 28, 1999 – First Amended and restated Gondola Operating Agreement – The agreement which provides for the operation of the gondola in connection with the settlement of the lawsuit between San Miguel County and the Town of Mountain Village.First Amended and Restated Gondola Operating Agreement
  • August 26, 1999 – County/Telski Area Expansion Approval Agreement An agreement to settle issues surrounding San Miguel County’s administrative appeal of the ski area expansion. CountyTelski Area Expansion Approval Agreement Summary
  • October 12, 1999 – Gondola Management Agreement Summary –  A summary of the management agreement that allows for the Transit Company (TMV) to retain a manager to operate, manage and maintain the project under the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement. Gondola Management Agreement Summary
  • October 12, 1999 – Gondola Management Agreement –  The full management agreement that allows for the Transit Company (TMV) to retain a manager to operate, manage and maintain the project under the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement. Gondola Management Agreement