Ouray County Newsletter

January 2023

Connecting Ouray County Government with Ouray County

Ouray County Alerts

BE PREPARED BEFORE AN EMERGENCY STRIKES!

Ouray County Alerts went live on December 12, 2022 and officially replaced CodeRed on January 9, 2023

Ouray County officials encourage ALL residents, business owners and their families, to sign-up for notifications through Ouray County Alerts - Sign-up NOW!

Ouray County Alerts uses your physical address to send geographically focused alerts.

You risk missing out on critical emergency alerts if you don't sign up and provide the following:

First and Last Name
Physical home address (you can enter multiple addresses)
Cell phone number(s) and/or landline phone number(s)
Email address(s)
Zip code

You can also TEXT ourayalerts to 65513 to sign-up. Be sure to follow the instructions and enter your home address.

***If you have already registered but didn't register an address, please go in and add an address so you can be sure to receive emergency alerts for your neighborhood! You can log-in HERE***

If you have trouble with your registration, please email pio@ouraycountyco.gov

View the FAQs for more information

Follow Ouray County Alerts on Facebook

County Master Plan Update

Ouray County will soon begin its first review and possible update of the County Master Plan in 23 years. The county last updated it’s Master Plan in 1999, available to view HERE. A county Master Plan is a long-range planning document intended to reflect the county’s overall vision and values for land use related issues for the next 10-years.

As with the current Master Plan, a review and possible update will likely include but not necessarily be limited to, major topics such as Agricultural Lands, Economic Development, Housing, Natural Resources, Tourism, Transportation, and many other key issues. Ouray County has contracted with the firm ‘KLJ Engineering and Planning’ out of Montrose to assist as a consultant to the project.

The Planning Commission, with professional assistance from KLJ and County Staff, will spearhead the project which is expected to take 12-18 months to complete. Watch the county website for more information on our kick-off meeting, scheduled for later in February. If you have questions please contact the Ouray County Planning Director, Mark Castrodale, at 970-626-9775 x5.

County Elected Officials Sworn-in on January 10

Ouray County elected officials were sworn in by Judge Lane Thomasson in our beautifully restored court room on January 10 at 10am.

Outgoing Clerk and Recorder (new County Commissioner), Michelle Nauer, took a moment after being sworn-in to thank everyone for their support over the last 28 years as Ouray County Clerk & Recorder. She shared a photo that was taken on her first day in office which shows her with her dad and her youngest son, Mitchell, on the steps of the courthouse.

Newly elected Clerk and Recorder, Cristy Lynn Sulewski, swore-in the Deputy Coroners, Undersheriff Tammy Stroup, outgoing coroner Colleen Hollenbeck and Susie Mayfield and outgoing coroner Colleen Hollenbeck pinned on Glenn's new badge.

Thank you to our community members who came and enjoyed the ceremony and reception afterwards. Congratulations to all!

Elected Officials sworn-in are:

County Coroner: R. Glenn Boyd

County Commissioner: Michelle Nauer

County Sheriff: Justin Perry

County Assessor: Susie Mayfield

County Treasurer & Public Trustee: Jill Mihelich

County Clerk & Recorder: Cristy Lynn Sulewski

See more photos on our Facebook page

L-R: R. Glenn Boyd, Coroner; Michelle Nauer, County Commissioner; Justin Perry, Sheriff; Susie Mayfield, Assessor; Jill Mihelich, Treasurer & Public Trustee and Cristy Lynn Sulewski, Clerk & Recorder

Sheriff's Office Staff Sworn-in on January 10

Deputy Sheriff's and Undersheriff Stroup were sworn-in on January 10 after the elected officials ceremony. Each new term, deputies and command staff must be sworn-in.

L-R: Deputy Peter Chell, Corporal Derrick Linnell, Deputy Luis Perez, Undersheriff Tammy Stroup, Sheriff Justin Perry, Deputy Gio Mendoza, Investigator Bernie Chism and Deputy/Security Officer Leo Rasmusson (not pictured: Deputy Dustin Harlow)

Dropbox damaged in vehicle accident

The County dropbox in the City of Ouray (on the corner of 6th Ave and 4th St by City Hall) was damaged in a recent vehicle accident. Until we can get it replaced, please bring any payments and correspondence to the Courthouse or use our dropboxes in Ridgway or Colona.

Commissioner Niece Appointed to the Colorado Producer Responsibility Advisory Board

On June 3rd, 2022, the Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act, House Bill 22-1355 was signed into law. It begins to shift responsibility for recycling from individuals to the large companies producing single-use waste. Key points of this program include:

· Large companies like Coca Cola that sell products in packaging, paper products, and food serviceware with over $5M in gross revenue will be required to pay into a recycling fund.

· The fund will be used to cover 100% of the costs of recycling, including education and enforcement for the entire state.

· One consistent statewide list of what can and cannot be recycled will be established.

The Advisory Board is composed of local governments, recycling companies, nonprofits and other key stakeholders, to help the state oversee the program and to ensure the system meets the needs of local Colorado communities and businesses.

Commissioner Niece is thrilled at the opportunity to help craft the details of this state policy. It is a major step toward eliminating “packaging” like plastic bottles, styrofoam, and other single-use pollution. More details will be shared as they become available.

● Caroline Mitchell, City of Fort Collins, Municipality seat (3-year term)

● Jake Niece, Ouray County, County seat (2-year term)

● Gail Garey, City of Steamboat Springs, Non-Front Range local government seat (3-year term)

● Richard Kattar, Swordfish Consulting, Materials recovery facility seat (2-year term)

● Nicole Willett, GFL Environmental, Recyclable materials hauler seat (3-year term)

● Clinton Sander, A1 Organics, Compost facility seat (2-year term)

● Elizabeth Chapman, Recycle Colorado, Non-profit seat (3-year term)

● Scott Saunders, KW Plastics, Packaging supplier seat (3-year term)

● Steve Priddy, WestRock, Manufacturer of recycled paper products seat (2-year term)

● Scott DeFife, Glass Packaging Institute, Trade association seat (3-year term)

● Christopher Howes, Colorado Retail Council, Retailers association seat (2-year term)

● Junior Ortega, Asociación de Jóvenes Unidos en Acción, Environmental justice seat (2-year term)

● Barrett Jensen, Waste Connections, Landfill with recycling seat (2-year term)

Learn more HERE

Property Tax Statements

Property Tax Statements are usually mailed around January 25th. If you have not received your statement by February 15th, please contact the Ouray County Treasurer’s office at 970-325-4487. You can also download a copy of your tax statement at https://ouraycountytreasurer.org/treasurer/web/

Click “I have read the above Statement”. Under the Public User Login click the Login button.
Enter your account number under Account Id if you know it, otherwise enter the last name OR the Situs address number. (Less is More!)

Once you are in the account there is a link for “Web Property Tax Notice” on the left side of the screen. Click on the link, your statement will generate as a .pdf and you can print it from there.

First half payments are due FEBRUARY 28, 2023; second half payments are due JUNE 15, 2023; or if paying in full, payment is due by APRIL 30, 2023.

On the road with Road & Bridge

Read the January Road & Bridge Report

Follow Road & Bridge on Facebook

Vegetation Management Weed of the Month

-BURDOCK-

How to Identify:

· Seeds in burrs, covered in small barbs

· Has gray green leaves

· Leaves have short hairs, and are heart-shaped about 3-9 inches wide, 3 to 15 inches long, underside may be wolly

· Flowers are reddish-purple

· Is a biennial (has a two year life cycle)

· Peak bud production July through September

· Plants 3-10 feet tall

· Produces about 15,000 seeds (or more) per plant

· Seeds viable about 3 years

· Seeds are spread through wind, and attach to clothing or animals

· Spread in hay

· Reproduces solely by seeds

· Biological Controls not available

Ouray County Vegetation Management urges all county residents to manage any Burdock infestations, with elimination in mind.

Weed control is a community effort! Please do your part.

In the environment Dames Rocket causes these effects.

· Negatively impacts a variety of native plants because it hosts pathogens.

· Hosts powdery mildew and root rot and can infect cash crops

· Can reduce the value of wool

· Considered toxic due to potential diuretic effects

· Reduces availability of desired forage for livestock and wildlife

· Hinders reforestation and restoration efforts

· Large infestations increase erosion and runoff

Please help eradicate this species, and report sightings to the Ouray County Vegetation Manger.

See the Ouray County Vegetation Management website for an identification tool, to help you identify all weeds of concern in the county.

To reach our Vegetation Management Office, please call

970-626-9775

Vegetation Department Questionnaire

1. During the 2022 field season did the efforts of the Ouray County Vegetation Management Program meet your needs and/or expectations?

2. If the answer to question 1 is no, how can we better serve the Ouray Community?

3. Are there specific areas in Ouray County that you think require additional attention to noxious weed control efforts in 2023?

4. How can the Ouray County Vegetation Management Program most effectively reach out to the citizens of Ouray County to raise awareness about noxious weeds, and their control?

5. In terms of environmental services, (natural resources) do you feel there is something not being addressed in Ouray County, and if so what needs to be addressed?

Please email responses to jkolb@ouraycountyco.gov

Affordable Rental Housing Survey

The Home Trust of Ouray County is asking for input from local business owners and employees about affordable rental housing. Please take a moment and complete the survey below.

Affordable Rental Housing Survey

Learn more about the H ome Trust of Ouray County

San Juan Skijoring returns to the Ouray County Fairgrounds and 4H Event Center

January 14-15, 2023

HOME-BASED CHILDCARE IN OURAY COUNTY

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION

Need help heating your home this winter?

The LEAP program can help!

Ouray County Social Services is now accepting Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) applications November through April 30, 2023. LEAP is a federally funded program that helps eligible hard-working Colorado families, seniors and individuals, pay a portion of their winter home heating costs. Their goal is to help bring warmth, comfort and safety to homes and families by assisting with heating costs.

If you are interested in receiving LEAP benefits, you must fill out a LEAP application. Applications may be obtained online at https://cdhs.colorado.gov/leap or through the local LEAP office at the Ouray County Social Services office, located in Ridgway at 177 Sherman St. Suite 104. Applicants are required to submit a copy of their most recent heating bill or rent receipt (if heat is included in rent) and proof of income, along with a valid Colorado ID or driver’s license. For more information regarding LEAP, you may call human services at 970-626-2299, visit the LEAP website, stop in to human services offices or call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435).

Board of County Commissioner and Planning Commission

meeting agendas, packets and Zoom credentials are available on our website. Schedules often change so it is best to double check our website for current updates/changes.

Good news! Recorded BOCC meetings and work sessions are available to watch on our website!