In Colorado, Telluride Ski Resort has announced its closure on December 25, 2025, due to an ongoing labor dispute between the resort's management and the ski patrol union. The Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association voted on the prior Tuesday to strike after prolonged contract negotiations that had been ongoing since June failed to produce a satisfactory agreement regarding pay. The union has requested significant wage increases, proposing a rise in starting pay from $21 to $28 per hour, and an increase for experienced patrollers from $30-$36 per hour to $39-$48.60. Resort owner Chuck Horning voiced concerns about the strike's impact on the local community, claiming the situation is detrimental. Meanwhile, the interim safety director for the ski patrol, Andy Dennis, challenged Horning's statements, attributing the breakdown in negotiations to his refusal to offer what Dennis termed a fair contract. This dispute is further complicated by recent trends of unionization votes among ski patrollers in the Rocky Mountain region, indicating a wider labor movement in the ski industry. As the strike looms, the Telluride Ski Resort remains partially operational, struggling with an unusually warm winter season that has limited its opening of trails, with only 20 of its 149 trails accessible thus far. Resort officials are reportedly devising plans to reopen the resort even if the strike continues, underlining the urgency for resolution. The safety responsibilities handed to ski patrols, including managing avalanche risks and assisting injured skiers, lend urgency to the union's demands for fair wages, reflecting both the high cost of living in ski areas and the critical nature of their work. This closure comes at a particularly challenging time for the resort and its employees, as the ski season has not yet properly commenced. The effect on the community could be substantial, impacting both the local economy and the vitality of winter sports in the area, demonstrating the broader repercussions of labor disputes in high-demand tourist destinations.