Current
Alta Lakes townsite
Year Listed: 2000
County: San Miguel County
Status: ALERT
Context: Mining
Date Constructed: 1890s - 1930s
Significance:
Historic mining town southwest of Telluride off state highway 145. The Gold King Mine at Alta was first in the world to receive AC power. This high-altitude, scenic ghost town is accessible by four-wheel drive and still retains many of the original structures.
Threat When Listed:
Insensitive development and neglect
Since Listing:
The owners, Leucadia Financial Corporation, have been approved to develop the 540-acre site for private residences (28 homes). The company is working with the City of Telluride and the San Miguel County Open Space and Recreation Program in order to try and save the site’s historical integrity. Their efforts have so for included stabilizing the boardinghouse and rehabilitating one of the cottages.
Last Update:
July 2008