About Telluride Insurance
We are the mountain insurance specialists Telluride property owners have relied on since 2005 — backed by the depth of Contractors Choice Agency and the field knowledge of a founder who built things before he insured them.
From the Jobsite to the Policy Desk
Telluride Insurance was founded in 2005 by Josh Cotner — a former contractor who spent years building and remodeling properties before pivoting to the insurance industry. That background is not incidental. It is the reason we write better policies.
When Josh crossed into insurance, he brought something most agents lack: a firsthand understanding of what it actually costs to build and rebuild in mountain environments, what contractors charge at altitude, and what corners get cut when coverage is thin. He founded Contractors Choice Agency on that foundation, and Telluride Insurance is the mountain-specialist expression of that expertise.
Over 20 years and across all 50 states, we have built a carrier network of A.M. Best A+ rated insurers — each selected for their claims performance in high-value property and specialty risk categories. Our clients are not standard-risk customers, and we do not use standard-market carriers.
Agency Credentials
Closing the Mountain Insurance Gap
Mountain resort property owners are systematically underinsured by standard policies. We built Telluride Insurance to fix that.
Mountain resort properties face risks standard insurers simply don't price correctly — avalanche paths, wildfire corridors, extreme elevation construction costs, and STR regulatory complexity.
We exist to close that gap: every policy we write reflects the real replacement cost, the real liability exposure, and the real regulatory environment of high-altitude resort communities.
Our clients sleep soundly knowing their policy was written by someone who has walked the terrain, understands the contractors, and reads the San Miguel County building codes.
Local Expertise. Real Depth.
Telluride, Montrose & San Miguel County, CO presents a uniquely complex risk environment. These are the four areas where most policies fall short — and where we excel.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Telluride's STR licensing requirements and HOA restrictions change frequently. We track them so your rental coverage stays compliant and your liability doesn't slip through the cracks.
Mountain Construction Costs
Rebuilding at 8,750 feet costs 40–70% more than comparable work at lower elevations. We insure to true replacement value — not ACV figures that leave you underinsured after a loss.
Natural Hazard Exposure
Avalanche runout zones, wildfire fuel loads, and freeze-thaw structural cycles are baked into our risk assessments. We match your coverage to your actual hazard profile.
Second-Home Complexity
Vacant periods, property managers, rental income replacement, and seasonal access all create coverage gaps in standard policies. We close every one of them.
Let's Build Your Mountain Coverage
Same-day quotes, no obligation. Tell us about your property and we'll put together coverage that actually fits the terrain.