Lawson Hill was first envisioned as a home for local families and business that were being forced or pressured to move from the Town of Telluride. Mine employee housing at Pandora was slated for demolition as part of a state/EPA mandated mine reclamation. Businesses like the lumber yard were deemed inappropriate for the downtown core. There was concern however that the development would create competition for existing businesses in the Town of Telluride so the PUD was approved with strict limitations on the types and sizes of businesses allowed.
Lawson Hill has proven to be a regional asset and has accomplished the goals originally set forth by providing opportunities for local workers to own their homes and to live close to where they work. Many companies have found a home in Lawson Hill because of this new opportunity.
Lawson Hill was recognized in 1995 by the Governor for being “smart growth” in the State of Colorado, for proactively creating local housing. Now Lawson Hill is the poster child for successful resort development providing the largest local housing project in this area.
The old Rio Grande Southern railroad right of way was developed into a non‐motorized trail by the Forest Service in the early 1990s and named the Galloping Goose after the old cars that ran the track.
In 2009 the Nature Conservancy negotiated a purchase agreement with Telecam to acquire a swath of land cradling both sides of the San Miguel River and including the Keystone falls. They raised the money through donations and grants to conserve forever this section of undammed river from development and to protect the wildlife. The only access is a foot path that traverses both sides of the river and allows an intimate view of the Keystone falls. The Nature Conservancy transferred the parcel to San Miguel County Parks in 2009.