The Depot

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Keeping  history alive

The Iconic Depot Building

Telluride Science closed on the purchase of the historic Telluride Depot on October 16, 2020. Because of the extraordinary support of our donors, the historic and iconic Depot will become the new permanent home of Telluride Science, enabling us to have an even greater impact on the advancement of science and technology which will help solve some of our world’s greatest challenges. Telluride Science is honored to be the steward of a building with such a rich history. It will remain as a community resource available to the public for events and programming.

A home where

Innovation & Ideas Can Soar

Renovations to transform the Depot into the Telluride Science & Innovation Center started in November 2022. The project is expected to take 16-18 months. Upon completion in the summer of 2024, The Depot will once again be a hub of important exchange. Where once precious minerals were shipped out from the beautiful Telluride box canyon, soon we will export ideas that will change the world. The Depot will be a center for accelerating the advancement of science and technology, a force multiplier for scientific productivity, and a vibrant community space to gather and share information and inspiration.The campaign to restore the Depot and complete our vision for the Telluride Science & Innovation Center is underway.

The New Vision for the Telluride Depot

1. Create a dedicated center to amplify transformative advancements in science and innovation. With this building and its unique sense of place, we will create an extraordinary setting for innovation.

 

2. Enable a year-round calendar that let’s us double the number of participants and workshops, doubling Telluride’s impact on the world of science.

 

3. To provide more opportunities for the community and kids to interact with global thought-leaders.

 

4. Protect a renowned local historic building and make it a gathering place for visitors and townspeople interested in science, innovation, and learning.

 

5. Increase Telluride Science’s annual total economic impact from $12M to $18M.

 

6. Elevate Telluride’s reputation as the place where the smartest people in the world come to find solutions to society’s and the planet’s greatest challenges.

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Depot Shared Vision Statement
Impact: Telluride Science

  • Significant expansion of high-level science programming:

    A venue for meetings outside of the 7-week window available at the current rental facility (Telluride Intermediate School) will allow for additional workshops throughout the year. Institutional permanence will support the managed growth of Telluride Science.

  • Improved economic model:

    While workshop revenues have always fully supported Telluride Science's operational budget, new revenue streams (community event rental and additional programming) will support facility security and financial sustainability.

  • Economical scientist experiences:

    Off-prime season workshops will be less expensive, and the percentage of economical scientist experiences during summer months will increase. The facility will also provide year-round working space for Scientists in Residence.

Impact: Community

  • Restoration of an iconic, historic structure:

    The renovation will honor the Depot’s storied history and the legacy of science and innovation in Telluride.

  • New community access to scientific programming:

    The venue will allow for new programming designed for public participation, including talks, weekend seminars, and interactions with scientists. The facility will broaden opportunities for world-class  scientists to interact with local students as well.

  • Continued public access to a beloved community venue:

    Protected from private development, the Depot will be available for community programming, non-profit events, and event rentals.

  • Increased Local Economic Impact:

    Local revenues for the town will increase from $12M to $18M annually.

Impact: Global

  • More numerous scientist interactions will scale science and innovation developments around the world:

    Working to progress biomedical, material, energy, water, computing, atmospheric, and fundamental sciences, Telluride Science's network of 5,000 scientists hail from over 500 international and domestic institutions. Scientific and technological developments seeded at Telluride Science find roots around the globe. Additional opportunities to collaborate with the brightest minds in the world will lead to real global change.

plans in order

The Depot Project will restore and preserve a beloved, historic building for community use while providing a dedicated year-round facility for Telluride Science & Innovation. The building is a riverside property with a special sense of place that will foster international collaborations and nurture new ideas and innovative areas of research.