BRIGHT IDEAS FROM THE BOX CANYON

A monthly newsletter that includes a collection of important news and updates from Telluride Science.

IN THE NEWS

The moment we have been waiting for is finally here! After 40 years, we are excited to announce that Telluride Science finally has a place to call home. This Saturday, July 20, we will celebrate two monumental milestones—the 40th Anniversary of Telluride Science and the grand opening of the Telluride Science & Innovation Center at the historic Depot.

We are extremely grateful to our donors for their generous support, which made the purchase and transformation of the Depot into a new state-of-the-art facility possible. Special thanks to Alpine Bank, our incredible community partner, whose contributions were also instrumental in this journey.

Telluride Science purchased the Depot in October 2020 and immediately leased it to the Telluride Medical Center for an auxiliary respiratory clinic during the covid pandemic. Renovation on the building began in December 2022. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to Finbro Construction, led by Werner Catsman and project manager Chris Drew, for their outstanding work in keeping the project on schedule. We also extend our deepest thanks to Mark Shambaugh, who volunteered countless hours as the owner’s representative, implementing cost-saving measures and value engineering that enabled us to complete the project on budget.

The video above shows the “before” and we invite you to join us this Saturday to experience the “after,” the debut of the Telluride Science & Innovation Center. A private party begins at 4 pm, followed by a public celebration at 5:30 pm. A special thanks to Telluride Reserve for providing wine and bubbly to toast our significant accomplishment. We look forward to celebrating with you!

THE DEPOT

We have come a LONG way in our fundraising efforts but still have $2.55M left to raise, so if you have friends or colleagues who might be interested in supporting the Telluride Science & Innovation Center, please email Annie Carlson.

The Center is now available to rent for holiday parties, weddings, rehearsal dinners, nonprofit meetings and more. Reserve the Center.

SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENCE

Peter Salamon

Emeritus Professor of Mathematics

San Diego State University

During a long drive from Aspen to California in the summer of 1983, Peter Salamon experienced an "aha" moment that would lead to the founding of the Telluride Science Research Center, now known as Telluride Science. After attending a workshop at the Aspen Center for Physics, Salamon was eager to explore his new idea the following summer back in Aspen. However, when the Aspen Center couldn’t accommodate their workshop, Salamon and co-founder Steve Berry (who passed away in 2020) decided to take matters into their own hands, giving birth to Telluride Science.

Both Salamon and Berry had a personal connection to Telluride; in the summer of 1984 they brought a group of 15 scientists together to host a workshop on thermodynamics. This intimate workshop at the old Telluride High School blended in-depth discussions in the mornings with long hikes in the afternoons, allowing scientists to explore complex questions in a relaxed, inspiring environment. This unique format, combining intellectual stimulation with the natural beauty of Telluride, remains the cornerstone of Telluride Science today.

Salamon and Berry’s vision came to life with help from several people. Bjarne Andresen was doing a sabbatical with Peter in San Diego the 1983-84 academic year and helped with the preparatory correspondence getting the 15 participants on board. Bill Reinhardt was instrumental in organizing workshops in the early years with student and postdoctoral participants that seeded the pipeline for future organizers. Karl Heinz Hoffmann was a participant the first year and kept a steady stream of European participants coming. As a group, they managed to create a distinctive center where the focus was not on presenting finished research but on making real-time progress on scientific problems. This collaborative and immersive approach distinguished Telluride Science from other scientific meetings and continues to attract scientists from all around the world.

With the opening of the Telluride Science & Innovation Center, Telluride Science is set to deepen its impact, providing a year-round dedicated space for groundbreaking scientific collaboration.

LEARN MORE

Peter Salamon with other key players that helped launch Telluride Science. From left Karl Heinz, Bjarne Andresen, Peter Salamon, Sarah Sullivan and Wendy Brooks.

How did Telluride Science come to fruition?

R. Stephen Berry (Steve), co-founder who passed away in 2020, was on the board of directors at the Aspen Center for Physics and organized several thermodynamics workshops on alternate years in Aspen that I really enjoyed attending as a graduate student.

On the way home from an Aspen workshop in 1983, I started thinking about a significant scientific problem and wanted to have a workshop that would discuss it the following summer. However, 1985 was too distant for the urgency of this new discovery

The question of “where else could we do the workshop” came up. I had visited Telluride in 1976 because my brother-in-law owned a condo in Telluride Lodge. We did some hiking and exploring and fell in love with Telluride.

Steve Berry also had a link to Telluride as he and his wife owned land on Sunshine Mesa. Between the two of us Telluride was a natural choice. Telluride was better than Aspen in its stunning mountain setting and relaxed atmosphere, where scientists could explore new ideas. I wanted to replicate the experience I had had in Steve Berry’s workshops.

In January 1984, I came out to Telluride and talked to the principal of the Telluride High School and some lodging companies who made it all seemed very doable. The first workshop was held with 15 participants and went for 4 weeks

The beauty of a four-week workshop is you really have time to hike around, think about questions and problems and still get some good science done. We thought the first workshop was quite a success which is why I went to James Craft, an attorney in town, to try to incorporate so we would be able to do it again and again. The town was very eager to have Telluride represented as a place for cutting edge science to occur.

FULL Q & A

WHAT'S PLAYING

Dr. Michael Wasielewski of Northwestern University talks about the basics of quantum theory and how it will change our lives. We can't beam people aboard the starship just yet, but teleportation of information using quantum techniques is happening right now. Many of us have heard about quantum computers and some of the amazing things that they will do, literally a “quantum leap” in performance. However, this is not the whole story. The quantum world and innovative technologies being developed from it will significantly enhance secure communications and be capable of sensing single atoms and molecules, even when they are within living cells. How does this work? Dr Wasielewski has some answers.

LISTEN

WHAT'S HAPPENING

AH HAA'S HAHA

JULY 19-21

Ah Haa School for the Arts’ HAHA is the most exciting community event and fundraiser of the summer! Returning in its third year, for a 3-day run, the one-of-a-kind immersive artist takeover and art experience transforms the entirety of the Ah Haa’s new home in the Silver Jack Building into multiple interactive environments and participatory realms. Participation supports Ah Haa’s ability to provide high-quality, affordable art classes and experiences for people of all ages, year-round. Get your tickets now at ahhaa.org

TELLURIDE RESERVE

A FOOD & WINE AFFAIR

AUGUST 1-3

Telluride Reserve offers unparalleled access to world-renowned chefs, sommeliers, vineyards and industry professionals, with curated seminars and intimate tablescapes that foster spontaneous conversations.

Telluride Reserve is the first event at the Innovation Center after the grand opening. The Rocky Mountain Baja dinner takes place on Thursday, August 1.

PURCHASE TICKETS

UPCOMING EVENTS

JULY 19-20

Telluride Americana Music Festival

JULY 19-21

HaHa

JULY 20

40th Annivesary and Grand Opening Celebration

JULY 23

Town Talk: Clean Energy’s Reliance on Dirty Magnets:

JULY 30

Town Talk: The Nature of Information

AUGUST 1-3

Telluride Reserve

AUGUST 6

Town Talk: Chromatin: Your DNA in a

package

AUGUST 9-11

Telluride Jazz Fetival

AUGUST 13

Town Talk:Observing Thunderstorms and Extreme Weather from Space

Market on the Plaza is every Wednesday from 11 am-4 pm in Heritage Plaza in Mountain Village. The Telluride Farmers Market runs every Friday from 10:30-3:30 pm on South Oak Street.

Telluride Inside & Out has a robust event calendar with an abundance of information on events and things to do in Telluride and Mountain Village.

LIVE IN TELLURIDE & TEACH SCIENCE

The Telluride High School is looking for a science teacher. Spread the word.

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