One of the Best Hot Air Balloon Festivals in Colorado Celebrates 40th Year in 2024

For 40 years, one of Colorado's most beautiful destinations has been hosting hot air balloons. It hard to beat how awe-inspiring it is to see all those crafts floating in the valley.

The 40th annual Telluride Balloon Festival, during the first weekend of June, will include crisp early morning launches and an evening 'glo' along Main Street.

If you've never visited Telluride, believe me it is well worth your drive; with this balloon festival, even more so.

The History of Telluride, Colorado

The 1870's in Colorado saw many taking the journey into the San Juan Mountains to find their fortune in gold and sliver. Columbia was a tent camp in the valley of the mountains that many miners used.

Columbia turned into a town, and in 1878 that town's name was changed to reflect what was happening in the area at that time: the search for telluride minerals. They named the town Telluride.

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Anyone who's visited Telluride, like myself, can tell you that when you're there, you just feel 'Colorado.'

For example, if you were to send a picture of Main Street to a stranger across the world, they would probably say, 'That's Colorado.'

RELATED: Take a Look at the Gondola Ride at Telluride

Telluride's annual balloon festival would be a perfect time to visit the town; whether it's your first or fiftieth.

The 2024 Telluride Balloon Festival

• Friday, May 31 - Sunday June 2, 2024
• 6:00 a.m. launches (weather permitting) from Telluride Town Park, on Saturday and Sunday morning.
• Refreshments available.
• Saturday night Main Street 'Glo' - 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• *Subject to change

TRAVELING TO TELLURIDE FROM FORT COLLINS

Depending upon how much time you want to spend on the road, you have three route options to Telluride:

STAYING IN TELLURIDE FOR THE BALLOON FESTIVAL

If you really want to make it a weekend to remember, try to book a room at The Imogene;  you can go "less expensively'" by staying in lovely Ouray (they have a shuttle to Telluride,) and stay at  Twin Peaks Lodge.