By: Emily Dresslar
Though Telluride’s fleet of Galloping Goose public buses share a well-traveled loop through town, one vehicle has veered off the beaten path.

The bus, formerly known as “101,” has become the Green Goose, running on a 50/50 mixture of diesel and vegetable oil-based fuel. This pilot project, kicked off by a $17,500 Department of Energy grant, was made possible through the support of the Colorado governor’s office.

Credit for moving this bio-diesel idea along goes to the enthusiasm of community member Charris Ford and his colleagues in Grassolean Solutions, the dogged determination of the town’s public works department, and an appreciative Telluride town council.

The bus is currently in heavy rotation after a few minor modifications. Organizers say that if more people choose to ride the bio-bus, they’ll seek to continue and expand the program beyond the summer.

The bio-bus is hard to miss. A fantastical, grant-funded design by local artist Karla Van Huysen details the sides of the copper-colored bus inside and out. “It seems to put people in a really good mood,” reported one driver. Project organizers and town staff hope to pump 100-percent bio-diesel fuel into the Goose’s tank soon, making it one of the first public buses to run entirely on vegetable oil in the country.

Telluride Visitor Guide