study area

The study area includes all of the San Miguel and Ouray counties, as well as the southwestern area of Montrose County.

The logic of defining the study area in this way is to encompass the area that falls within the economic influence of Telluride and Mountain Village. The study area includes the towns of Ouray, Mountain Village, Naturita, Norwood, Nucla, Ridgway, and Telluride. The region contains considerable diversity in the landscape and ecology, as well as a wide range of cultural, social and economic conditions – from the wealthy areas surrounding Telluride to the less affluent and less populated areas in the west.