FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mayor Pro Tem Meehan Fee Announces Resignation from Telluride Town Council

(January 26, 2026) – Telluride, CO – Mayor Pro Tem Meehan Fee has released the following letter to her constituents and the residents of Telluride:

"To Whom it May Concern,

After deep consideration, I submit this statement as formal notice of my resignation from my positions as Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmember of the Town of Telluride. I am deeply grateful for my time on Council, and it has been one of the great privileges of my life to serve this town and community in this role.

I have been profoundly shaped by the people and potential of this region and have spent the better part of my life in service to a community that has given me so much over the years. I am deeply grateful for the incredible amount of support I’ve received from my friends and neighbors throughout my time in government.

I believe that, as community members, our responsibility extends beyond the present moment and beyond ourselves. We are stewards of this magical destination - temporarily entrusted with a region that must remain livable, resilient, and worthy of the reverence it inspires for generations to come.  

And I believe that, as a part of that commitment, it is our responsibility to always put the needs of the larger community before our own.

While I fully maintain that I acted in good faith and at no time violated any ethical, moral or legal boundaries, it is impossible to ignore the rift that this episode has caused in our community. As such, I feel it is in all of our interest to move forward, which will be easier for the community upon my stepping down.   

More importantly, I have complete faith in our collective ability to come together and act in the best interest of all. It is no secret that the economic model under which we have been operating no longer serves the needs of most of our residents, families, businesses, and workforce. This is not the result of any single group or individual, but a systemic challenge - one that requires collective responsibility and collective action to resolve. 

What has emerged over the past few weeks is a path forward that I believe holds uncommon promise. It is a path that honors the needs of resort ownership and employees, respects investor interests, strengthens the fabric of our local community, and elevates the experience of those who come here from around the world.  Most importantly, it is a vision that recognizes our interdependence and invites every stakeholder - owners, employees, investors, residents, and visitors - to move forward together with shared purpose

I believe deeply in this town - in its people, the extraordinary beauty of this place, and the opportunity that still lies ahead to make Telluride the very best it can be. I remain optimistic that we will come together with purpose and resolve to ensure this region thrives for generations to come.

Finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude. While this chapter has been challenging, it has also been a powerful reminder of how deeply our friends and neighbors care about this place we call home. It is, and continues to be, a profound privilege to be part of such an extraordinary community.”

Details surrounding next steps will be discussed at tomorrow’s Town Council meeting. Meeting information can be found on the Town of Telluride website at bit.ly/totcouncil.

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Communications Manager 
Lindsey Mills
Phone: (970) 728-2165
Email: lmills@telluride.gov 

ABOUT TELLURIDE
Nestled amidst the majestic San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, Telluride's captivating narrative is deeply rooted in the ancient legacy of the Ute tribe, the valley's original inhabitants, who crafted their summer camps along the San Miguel River, naming the land "The Valley of Hanging Waterfalls." In the late 1700s, Spanish explorers traversed the rugged terrain, laying the groundwork for subsequent exploration and settlement. A fervent mining boom followed, igniting a rush of prospectors to the region, culminating in the founding of Telluride in 1880. Telluride's allure as a hub of opportunity attracted fortune seekers, bolstered by the arrival of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad and groundbreaking innovations like the hydroelectric power plant in Ames. Set in a box canyon amid forested peaks at the base of the popular Telluride ski-and-golf resort, the town’s historic district houses landmarks like the Sheridan Opera House and the Telluride Historical Museum while playing host to culture, music, arts, outdoor recreation, and festivals with unrivaled views and dramatic locale. For more information, please visit us online at telluride.gov.