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BRIGHT IDEAS FROM THE BOX CANYON |
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A newsletter that includes a collection of important news and updates from Telluride Science. |
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With scientific workshops, public programming, and event rentals, the Innovation Center was abuzz with activity all summer. Between June and August, we hosted 44 workshops spanning a wide range of research areas from carbon capture and neurodegenerative diseases to emerging cancer treatments and quantum computing. Thanks to our permanent home, we're able to expand our programming into the fall, with seven additional workshops planned for September and October. In addition to ten Town Talks, Telluride Science hosted seven additional events for donors and the community, many in partnership with the Telluride Foundation. Highlights included The Science of Connection: How Our Relationships with Animals Shape Health and Well-Being, Creating with AI, a community concert with Telluride Chamber Music, and The Living Vineyard: An Evening with BURL Wine. The Innovation Center also served as a gathering spot for the broader community, hosting several private events and fundraisers for local nonprofits including One to One's Top Chef, Pinhead's Science of Cocktails, and Thrive's (formerly Tri-County Health Network) Noche de Luz.
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 | BRIDGING THE GAP What does it take to bridge the gap between climate science and the energy system?
In collaboration with OpenMinds, Telluride Science brought 30 climate scientists and energy leaders from industry and academia together in Telluride for our Bridging the Gap Summit to address the Dual Challenge: delivering more energy while rapidly reducing emissions. Over four days at the end of July, participants built common ground and aligned on 10 priorities to accelerate mitigation, as well as the need for a sustained “Climate AND Energy” coalition grounded in pragmatism, opportunity, fairness, and measurable action. This consensus provides a foundation for the next phase of work, focused on growing the coalition, advancing the priority solutions, and building the partnerships needed to translate shared priorities into action.
As part of our commitment to public science engagement, three workshop attendees—Dr. Guy Brasseur (Climate Scientist, NCAR and Max Planck Institute for Meteorology), Georgina Campbell Flatter (CEO of Greentown Labs), and Jeff Guldner (Retired CEO of Arizona Public Service Company and Pinnacle West)—led a panel discussion Dual Challenge: Climate and Energy at the Sheridan Opera House. The discussion highlighted the need for practical, scalable, and affordable solutions, and the importance of innovation, local leadership, and collaboration in accelerating progress. |
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 | Telluride Science hired 17 high school and college students as part-time summer interns. Pictured from left to right: Greyden O'Neill, Seamus McParland-Daab, Lily McDonald, Beck Sommers. |
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Our full-time, four-person team eagerly welcomes part-time interns each summer. The young, dedicated summer staff has the opportunity to interact with some of the world's greatest scientists while they help us through our busiest season, hosting up to six workshops a week. This year, 17 high school and college students kept our workshop operations running smoothly. Three of them—Ava Yaley (University of Georgia), Lucja Barker (New York University), and Caroline Simmons (University of Richmond)—took on an additional challenge through our summer writing internship program. This unpaid but invaluable opportunity gives students the chance to translate leading-edge research into compelling stories for the general public. Mentored by Susan Viebrock and Cindy Fusting, the students interview a Town Talk speaker and craft an articles for publication in Telluride Inside and Out and the Telluride Times—a rare opportunity to walk away with published bylines in hand. Impressed by her work through Telluride Science, the Telluride Times hired Ava Yaley to write additional articles for the local newspaper. |
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Miles Fusting, a junior at Florida State University, served as our Program Staff Manager and used his AI skills to build custom systems to manage our rental events as well as the registration and lodging process for our workshops. His work will help our small staff move forward more efficiently and productively. |
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THAT'S A WRAP! We're proud that we've completed the $13.5M capital campaign for the Telluride Innovation Center, made possible by the extraordinary generosity of our donors. We celebrated this milestone at a donor appreciation party on July 3, where Telluride Theatre performed a special original song honoring Telluride Science. Watch the masterpiece HERE. |
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SUPPORT SCIENCE While the capital campaign is complete, we still need your support. Federal funding for scientific research has faced significant cuts, making the work Telluride Science does more critical than ever. Your contributions help us keep our workshops accessible, ensuring scientists can keep coming to Telluride to do the work that matters most. |
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Mountain Towns 2030
September 2
6 - 7 pm
Telluride Innovation Center As climate challenges grow, no community can solve them alone. The most effective solutions often emerge when leaders come together, learn from one another, and take action collectively. Join a conversation with Mountain Towns 2030, alongside community leaders exploring how networks, partnerships, and peer learning are accelerating climate action and resilience efforts in communities of every size – including Telluride and others in the surrounding region. Panelists include Jessica Burley, Sustainability Manager for the Town of Breckenridge; John Clark, Mayor of Ridgway; and MT2030 Executive Director Chris Steinkamp. This event is co-sponsored by Telluride Science, Telluride Foundation, Eco Action Partners, Mountain Towns 2030, and J.P. Morgan. It is free and open to the public but RSVP is required. |
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Community Concert
September 10
6-7 pm
Telluride Innovation Center Join Telluride Science and Telluride Chamber Music for the second community concert of the summer—an evening of al fresco music on the scenic patio at the Telluride Innovation Center. Musicians featured include: Danny DeSantis (viola), Anne Foxen (violin), Steve White (cello), and Travis Fisher (piano). The event is free. All are welcome to come soak in the beauty of the setting and the music. |
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Optimize Your Brain Health
September 23
6:30-7:30 pm
Telluride Innovation Center What if nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented? Join Dr. Melissa Sundermann, a double board-certified Lifestyle Medicine physician known as Doctor Outdoors, for a look at the science behind lifelong brain health. Discover how everyday habits like nutrition, movement and sleep shape cognitive performance and long-term wellbeing. Co-sponsored by Telluride Science and Telluride Foundation, this event is free and open to the public. RSVP is required. |
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