Only One Colorado Small Town Makes 'Best in U.S.' List

What is a small town? If we want to get really technical, the National Center for Education Statistics says that a small town is "an incorporated place or Census-designated place with a population less than 25,000 and greater than or equal to 2,500 and located outside a metropolitan area."

Overall, though, I think a small town is somewhere that feels like home. Awww.

OutThereColorado.com confirms that Telluride meets the official "small town" credentials, with a population estimated to be around 2,500. Despite that, Telluride has a lot to offer. Not only is its ski resort world-renowned, it also plays host to celebrities: Tom Cruise just recently decided to say goodbye to his cozy Telluride home.

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Why, though, did Travel + Leisure magazine name the ski town as one of its top destinations? In its listing, the magazine praises Telluride for its historical charm as a mining town and its many Victorian-era houses. Plus:

The area is also known for incredible skiing at Telluride Ski Resort, but there's plenty to do once the ski season ends — biking, hiking, fly fishing, golfing, river sports, and more are popular choices when the weather warms up.

More than just a ski town? Gotta love a place that can do it all.

Did Travel + Leisure miss a great Colorado small town? Let us know in the comments.

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