Editor:

Those of us who’ve lived here since the Eighties have seen many attempts to diversify the local economy. Of course, Scott Fly Rod immediately comes to mind. We do have some small successful non-tourist start-ups in the County like TheraTogs in Lawson Hill. But basically we’re a tourist resort destination – that’s what we do best and that’s where the majority of jobs are, and it’s what feeds our real estate and construction industries. So, the County clearly needs to collaborate with local towns, Telluride Ski & Golf and Marketing Telluride to bolster and increase tourism in an ecologically sound way. Supporting Eco-Action Partners, providing affordable housing, bringing low cost carriers to our airports, finding a festival ombudsman to encourage new events during our shoulder seasons, building new infrastructure (like the roundabout), maintaining existing infrastructure (roads & bridges – not glamorous but essential), addressing regional transportation, and supporting local non-profits are some of the mechanisms we are using, or could be. Personally, I’m also excited about the New Agrarianism that Courtney White of the Quivira Coalition talks about and manifests here with Community Supported Agriculture farms and Farmers’ Markets. I see Crowdfunding as a great new way to capitalize entrepreneurs in the community. We have find break-out rooms for our large halls so we can host major conferences. Finally, supporting Ballot Issue No. 3-A is crucial -- as education is always a sound investment in the future. County can’t do it all, but we can assist in making our economy more resilient.