2026 Special Municipal Election

The Telluride Town Council has voted to fill its current Council vacancy through a special election rather than by appointment. The special election will be coordinated with San Miguel County and held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

The vacancy follows the resignation of Councilmember Meehan Fee on January 27, 2026. Under the Telluride Home Rule Charter, Council may fill a vacancy either by appointment or by election. After discussion of costs, voter participation, and timelines, Council selected the special election option.

Additionally, because Councilmember Marya Stark was previously appointed to a Council seat until the "next regular or special election," that seat will also appear on the ballot in June. Voters will therefore elect candidates for two Council seats at the special election. Those elected will serve terms through November 2029.

Key Dates for the Coordinated Special Election

  • March 31 through April 20, 2026: Nomination petition period 
  • April 24, 2026: Petition cure deadline & Write-in candidate deadline

2026 VACANCIES

  • Two Councilmembers (Terms until November 2029)

TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY 

Candidates for the office of Telluride Town Council must: 

  • Have resided in the Town of Telluride, Colorado for one year immediately preceding the election;   
  • Be at least eighteen years of age by June 30, 2026; 
  • Be registered to vote by June 30, 2026;
  • May not be an employee of the Town during their term in office.  

TOWN COUNCIL COMPENSATION

Compensation for Councilpersons is paid monthly. Annual compensation for Town Councilmembers is $21,568. 

Base rates will increase biennially beginning November 1, 2025. Increases will be effective upon election or reelection of each member taking office, on an administrative and non-discretionary basis, with increased base rates reflected as the lesser of: 

(i)     the Base Rate plus three percent (3%), compounded biennially, or 

(ii)     forty-five percent (45%) of the prior years' San Miguel County Area Median Income for a one-person household for the Mayor or thirty percent (30%) of the prior years' San Miguel County Area Median Income for a one-person household for a Town Councilperson. 

Area Median Income shall be as determined by US Department of Housing and Urban Development "Very Low Income" figures for San Miguel County, Colorado. 

As part of compensation, the Mayor and each Town Councilperson are eligible for individual health, vision and dental insurance through the Town's Health Plan and a wellness benefit.

NOMINATION PETITIONS

Candidates must submit a nomination petition with a minimum of twenty-five (25) signatures of registered electors residing within the Town of Telluride. Petitioners may sign only the number of petitions for the number of vacancies that exist at the election (two for Town Council). 

Petitions will be released by the Town Clerk on Tuesday, March 31st at Town Hall, 135 West Columbia Avenue. 

Petitions must be returned by Monday, April 20th. 

RESOURCES FOR CANDIDATES

ELECTION RESULTS

Results from previous elections can be found by visiting the Town's Records Portal.