Colorado: Central City
Score: 34
"A disaster. The facades of old buildings and the tangled layout of the streets remain, but the character, the culture, and the economic purpose of the original mining towns has been totally lost among the noise of slot machines. This is not a heritage site; it is a gambling town."
"Central City and other Colorado mining towns that have turned to gambling have been the sacrificial lambs that ironically helped to fund Colorado's State Historic Fund."
"Since the casinos have moved in, historical integrity has moved out."
"A nice place to see the essence of a gold boom town. Touristy, yes, but Central City is big enough to accommodate them."
"Few residents still live in Central City, so the sense of community has largely been lost."
"Frankly, the casino industry has reversed the terrible disrepair and nearly collapsed condition of the historic structures. They do not have a lot of historic integrity, but at least they still stand."
"The opera is still lovely."
Score: 58
"The remoteness of Telluride has up to now probably helped slow the sprawl and boom of, say, Summit County. But like in many ski towns, higher-end development is having an impact here, putting new pressure on locals and changing the social fabric of the area."
"Small-scale, quaint, and not overdone."
"This town is a gem. It retains its unique character, particularly downtown, which has been preserved at great cost."
"No question it's gorgeous, but you can't call this town authentic anymore. Feels artificial and developed anytime you're not skiing or hiking."
"Too much development, locals being priced out; was a very beautiful setting but now overrun with mega-mansions"
