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Ouray County Newsletter

April 2022

Connecting Ouray County Government with Ouray County

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Administrator's Corner


Since April is “National County Government Month,” I thought it may be an optimal time to share with all of you a sliver of what County Administration in a small county is like. I have been the Ouray County Administrator for 20 years now. Wow, how time flies when you are having fun! Over the past many years, I have had the pleasure of helping the County with organizational management, policy development, financial management and capital facilities planning, implementation and purchases.  

 

The Ouray County Administration Office is a small but diverse and professional office that serves and supports the entire County organization. Team members in the administration office include the County Administrator, County Attorney, Human Resources Director, Administrative Specialist/Deputy Clerk of the Board, Administrative Specialist, and Public Information Officer. All Administration team members work diligently to serve the public and assist County staff, Board of County Commissioners and the organization by and through the provision of budget development, implementation and management; financial administration and reporting; procurement and contract administration; grant writing and administration; development of Board of County Commissioner agendas, work sessions and meeting packet materials; policy development; human resource management; public outreach and communication; legal services, and so much more; and it is done with great dedication and pride.

 

The County Administrator and County Attorney are peers and are both contract, appointed officials that work at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners. The County Administrator has the honor of supervising four administrative staff and nine department heads. These department heads include the Planning Director, Public Health Director, EMS Chief Paramedic, Fairgrounds Manager, I.T. Manager, Road & Bridge Superintendent, Vegetation Manager, Facilities Manager, and Human Resources Director. Each department is led by a Department Head with experience, knowledge and credentials in its specific discipline. Ouray County is fortunate to have such a great team of professionals leading the various departments and assisting community members and patrons.

 

In addition, Ouray County has some wonderful and talented elected officials as follows: Commissioner Lynn Padgett, Commissioner, Jake Niece and Commissioner, Ben Tisdel; County Clerk and Recorder, Michelle Nauer; County Treasurer, Jill Mihelich; County Assessor, Susie Mayfield; and County Sheriff, Justin Perry. Elected officials responsibilities are set forth in Colorado Revised Statutes and each elected official is voted into office by the electorate of Ouray County.

 

What is especially unique to small county government organizations and to all Ouray County Departments is the broad range of experience within the offices and the fact that the employees within a department are trained to provide multiple services to patrons of the County and oftentimes wear different hats. This is not always the case in larger counties.

 

Ouray County is truly grateful and appreciative of all County staff and elected officials. In recognition of National County Government Month, please join me in extending a big "thank you" to all Ouray County Department Heads, Elected Officials and Staff.

 

Very truly yours,

 

Connie I Hunt, County Administrator

April is National County Government Month!


Ouray County will celebrate National County Government Month (NCGM) during the month of April to showcase how the county achieves healthy, safe and vibrant communities.


The theme for this year’s celebration of NCGM is “Counties THRIVE,” demonstrating how counties help to improve people’s lives every day, especially for local government workers on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.


Ouray County is proud of the programs and services we provide to our residents. Our efforts combined with efforts of counties across the country are helping American communities respond to public health needs.


Since 1991 the National Association of Counties (NACo) has encouraged counties across the country to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of counties.


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Highway 550 Construction


Tired of dodging potholes while traveling between Ouray and Colona? Well, good news! Colorado Department of Transportation, Region 5, and your county commissioners have been working hard over the last five years to secure funding for some much needed TLC for Ouray County's portion of Hwy 550.


Beginning in April, and expected to be completed by November 2022, Hwy 550 between Ouray and Colona will receive some substantial improvements. The $15 Million project is located approximately between MP 94-116. The scope of work includes a Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) leveling course and overlay with a 2-mile section to include shoulder widening between MP 98 and 100, south of Cedar Hill Cemetery. Our Road & Bridge department will be coordinating with CDOT for minor improvements along the route such as draining issues.


The new road surface will add approximately 10 years of life to the highway, provide a smoother road surface and will eliminate ruts and road damage. This will allow for an improved smoother and safer drive for motorists. The new guardrail will be 31” high instead of 27” high to help veering vehicles remain on the road more effectively, making the highway safer for the traveling public.


If you have questions or concerns or if you would like to be added to CDOTs public outreach contact list to receive construction updates:

• Project Phone Line -(970) 456-1481

• Project Email - resurfacingproject@gmail.com

• Project Webpage - https://www.codot.gov/projects/us550-ouray-to-colona-resurfacing


What can you expect?

PROJECT SCHEDULE: Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The project, starting in April, has an anticipated completion date of November 2022.

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Motorists should plan for one-lane alternating traffic, 20 minute delays and reduced speed limit throughout the work-zone.


Watch the March 22 presentation from CDOT (begins at 1:58:15)


Sign up for BOTH Ouray County Notification Systems!

WENS is designed to instantly reach cell phones, landline numbers, email addresses, pagers and desktop alerts when an urgent County alert needs to

be communicated.


Recipients can choose to receive notification of Avalanche Notifications, Road Maintenance updates, and general notices. 

 

In the event of an emergency, a text message, voice call, or email will be sent to the contact information you registered with the system.

 

Register today!

 

You must register to take advantage of this important notification service.


Learn more HERE

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Code Red is a high-speed mass notification system designed to notify residents in the event of an emergency.

 

This service allows us to deliver emergency or time-sensitive

messages to you via SMS/text, email, landline, cell phone, TTY, or a mobile

application push. Code Red alerts will display as originating from 866-419-5000 or 855-969-4636 on your caller ID.

 

If you missed any of the message details, you can also dial the number back to hear the complete message.

 

We might use Code Red in situations such as wildfires, evacuation notices, floods, boil water notices, criminal activity, and missing persons/children.

 

Learn more HERE

 

Sign-up today!

Are You Ready to VOTE?


The 2022 Primary Election is June 28. This office has filed Ouray’s ballot plan, watcher plan and we are now working on the security plan. These three plans are filed with the Secretary of State’s office and is required of all 64 counties. If anyone wants to see Ouray County’s copy of any of these plans, feel free to contact this office at (970)325-4000.

 

Now is the best time for voters to check for accuracy of their voter registration and/or mailing addresses on govotecolorado.gov. Primary ballots are mailed to all ACTIVE voters to the address on file. Ballots will be prepared mid-May and mailed the week of June 6. If you do not receive a ballot for the Primary election, please contact this office as soon as possible. The Voter Service Polling Center for in person voting, picking up a ballot, registering to vote or updating registration information will be open beginning June 20, here at the Courthouse. More information and sample ballots can be obtained in May.

 

As a reminder, if a voter is affiliated with the either the Republican or Democratic Party they will receive that party’s ballot only. If the voter is not affiliated, they will receive both party ballots but must chose to vote only one!

 

Lastly, if anyone has questions regarding voting processes or ballot counting, you are invited to contact this office or visit this office for more details.


View Ouray County 2022 Primary Election Important Dates


Michelle Nauer, Ouray County Clerk & Recorder

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On the Road with

Road and Bridge


You might have noticed that the Ouray County Gravel Pit, just north of Colona received some improvements late this winter. In October 2021, Ouray County received notice from Montrose County that the gravel pit, which lies just within Montrose County, did not conform to their Zoning Resolution Section V.C.3.a – Gravel Mining Mitigation Standards, and would need to be improved by Spring 2022. After determining that no combination of vegetation and fencing would acceptably address the concern, Ouray County resolved to reshape the existing topsoil berms and mounds into one uniform berm to screen the entire frontage of the property. The earthwork has been completed, and Ouray County’s Vegetation Department is now preparing to apply a seed mix in order to establish a minimum-maintenance ground cover. 


Road and Bridge (almost) Fully Staffed! 


As of February 1, all ten (10) of the Road and Bridge Department’s equipment operator positions were filled. We are still recruiting to fill the last departmental vacancy – Lead Mechanic. Concurrently, the Road and Bridge Department is assessing all assigned staff in order to determine which employees may have the best aptitude and potential to serve in the recently created front-line supervisory position of Crew Chief (internal promotional opportunity); and we intend to make these selections later this Spring.


***If you know someone who fits the Lead Mechanic role - send them our way to apply!***

Defending Public Rights of Way


County Attorney Leo Caselli, working with the Board of County Commissioners, successfully defended existing designated rights of way from possible closure due to a transfer of federal BLM lands to the Colorado State Land Board. The State Land Board was created in the Colorado Constitution in 1876 to manage federal lands granted to Colorado, in order to benefit public education in the state. Unfortunately, there have been instances where existing public access has been cut off when federal lands were transferred to the State Land Board.


The affected routes were County Road 17, Elk Ridge Trail, and Erikson Trail, which access private property and public lands. CR-17 is a major County Road and serves as a primary emergency evacuation route in the event of a closure of HWY-550. Elk Ridge Trail is used to access the Idlewild PUD and also provides access to Park Estates. At a December 9, 2021 State Land Board meeting Attorney Caselli and Commissioner Padgett defended the preservation of public access to existing designated right-of-ways and avoided any kind of BLM appeal process. This was a good result for both the State’s system of school trust lands, and Ouray County’s citizens who rely on existing designated rights-of-way.


The County’s IT & GIS Manager, Jeff Bockes, also provided extensive GIS support and research under tight deadlines, regarding the local right-of-ways at issue.


Read the full attorney’s memo.

More about the Colorado State Land Board here: https://slb.colorado.gov/about

Intervening Year Notices of Valuation for Real Property


Taxpayers whose property had a change in value (i.e. class code, new construction, destruction of improvements, etc.) are advised that they should receive a “Notice of Valuation” (NOV) from the Ouray County Assessor in May 2022. Those taxpayers that did not have a change in value will not be receiving an NOV in 2022; however they are still entitled to protest their 2022 value.


For those of you who do receive a 2022 NOV, your tax bill that is mailed in January of 2023 will be based on this information. The NOV contains information about your legal right to challenge your property’s 2022 classification or value only. A form will be provided with the notice that shows the procedures for filing an objection with the assessor’s office.


During the month of May, an owner may protest, in person or by mail, the real property value or the classification established by the assessor. The appeal form must be delivered to the assessor’s office no later than June 1, 2022. The assessor must make a decision concerning the protest and mail a written Notice of Determination (NOD) on or before the last working day of June. If satisfied with the value, the process ends and the tax bill will be based on the value reflected in the NOD. If you disagree with the assessor’s decision — NOD response — the next step is to file an appeal with the Board of County Commissioners, who will sit as the County Board of Equalization (CBOE). If dissatisfied with the action of the county board, you may file an appeal with the state Board of Assessment Appeals, district court, or request a binding arbitration hearing within 30 days of the CBOE’s decision.


For any questions regarding your appeal rights or how your value calculates into the tax dollars that are paid, please feel free to contact the Ouray County Assessor’s Office at 970-325-4371 or assessor@ouraycountyco.gov.


Learn more about the County Assessor Role and Responsibilities

The Red Mountain Electrical Reliability and

Broadband Improvement Project


Work will continue on Red Mountain Pass this spring. Be sure to follow San Miguel Power (SMPA) and Ouray County Government for updates. Visit smpa.com for more details.


City of Ouray & Ouray County

Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA)


On March 15, Ouray City Council Members and the Ouray County BOCC met in a joint work session to discuss modifications to the IGA. The discussion mostly focused on the details of annexation, the Urban Growth Management Area, and the Ouray Area of Influence. The Council Members and Commissioners settled on the following intermediate actions:

1.     The City will provide a “redline” version of the agreement to the County that will show the specific language changes requested.

2.     The City Council Members agreed to a one year extension of the current agreement from the current date of auto-renewal. Ouray County requested the extension because it is possible the renegotiation could result in substantial changes to the County Land Use Code, requiring significant staff time to modify, and one or more public hearings.


Watch and Listen to the Work Session


Existing IGA

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Vegetation Management

Weed of the Month

-Chinese Clematis-


 





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


(How to Identify)

·       Single yellow flowers with 4 small petals about 1 inch long

·       Seedheads are fluffy white and look like “pom- pom” clusters

·       Leaves opposite

·       Is a perennial (grows back year after year)

·       Peak bud production July through October

·       Seeds viable about 8 years

·       Seeds are spread through wind, animals and contaminated hay


Ouray County Vegetation Management urges all county residents to manage any Chinese Clematis infestations, with elimination in mind. Weed control is a community effort! Please do your part. In the environment Chinese Clematis causes these effects.

·       Chokes out and kills trees and shrubs

·       The juice of crushed leaves and stems causes blisters

·       Out-competes native vegetation by smothering it

·       Dominates groundcover leading to more erosion

·       Leads to declines in native plants, and declines in native animals

·       Decreases the amount of tree cover


Chinese Clematis is a noxious weed, which is not part of any successional vegetation cycles and is indigenous to Asia and Europe. Chinese Clematis is an escaped ornamental. Chinese Clematis is considered a priority species in the county, and eradication is required by law. 


To reach our Vegetation Management Office, please call

970-626-9775

Upper Uncompahgre River Basin Water Supply Enhancement Plan Phase II Report


In September of 2016, Wright Water Engineers Inc., (WWE), in coordination with Ouray County, developed the 2016 UUB Report which assessed the existing and future water needs and identified water supply shortages (gaps) for agricultural, domestic, municipal, industrial, recreational and environmental water uses, and presented initial options for minimizing shortages for existing and future water uses within the Upper Uncompahgre River Basin, located in Ouray County, Colorado (see Map 1 and Map 2 in report).


The 2016 UUB Report reviewed the following regions in the Upper Uncompahgre River Basin:

• Region 1: Uncompahgre River Downstream of Ridgway Reservoir (see Map 3 in report)

• Region 2: Dallas Creek and its tributaries (see Map 4 in report)

• Region 3: Uncompahgre River Upstream of Ridgway Reservoir (see Map 5 in report)

• Region 4: Cow Creek and its tributaries (see Map 6 in report)


A local steering committee was formed by Ouray County to inform and support the development of this Water Supply Protection and Enhancement Plan Phase II. This committee was comprised of staff and managers of Tri-County Water Conservancy District (Tri-County), City of Ouray, Town of Ridgway, Ouray County Water Users Association, Shavano Conservation District, Trout Unlimited, Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership, and representatives for local ranches, ditch companies and Ouray County citizens.


A total of five Steering Committee meetings were held throughout the development of this UUB Phase II Plan. The Steering Committee provided valuable insight to develop this UUB Phase II Plan, and ultimately guided the project and management recommendations.


Read the full report


April 4-10 is National Public Health Week


The Board of Ouray County Commissioners supports the mission and activities of Ouray County Public Health Department as it strives for a healthier future for Ouray County. At their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 5, the Board unanimously proclaimed April 4-10 as National Public Health Week, which is celebrated nationally each April and honors and highlights the hard work and dedication of public health professionals.


Read Full Proclamation

Learn more about Ouray County Public Health services

Follow them on Facebook

Need a COVID-19 Vaccine or Booster?


Vaccines are the safest, most effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, and to help avoid the worst outcomes (severe illness, hospitalization, and death) among those who do become infected.


State health officials stress that all Coloradans ages 5 and older should get vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Fully vaccinated individuals who qualify for boosters or additional vaccine doses should get those as soon as possible. If you are symptomatic or have been exposed, please stay home and get tested right away.


Ouray County Public Health offers free COVID vaccines each week. Please log-on to our website at ouraycountyco.gov to schedule your vaccine. COVID testing is also available Mon-Thurs 9am-11am and 1pm-3pm at the public health office in Ouray at 302 2nd Street. 


Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 (four) free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. - View COVIDtests.gov to order yours.


To report your At-Home COVID-19 test results - complete this form. 


April is Child Abuse Prevention Month!


At their regular meeting today, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to proclaim April 2022 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Join us this month in working hard to bring more attention to child abuse prevention.


Read the full proclamation

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month


At their regular meeting on April 5, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to proclaim April 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual Assault Awareness Month, observed each April, is a campaign that aims to increase awareness about the causes and risk factors for sexual assault and empower individuals to take steps to prevent it in their communities. We are thankful for our regional partners who offer support and services to victims of sexual assault.


Read the full proclamation

Sheriff's Annual Report


On March 8, Sheriff Justin Perry presented his 2021 Annual Report to the Board of County Commissioners. Read the full report on our website.


Traffic Safety Meeting with Sheriff's Office


Join us for an evening of patrol and traffic safety discussions as well as speed radar demonstrations. Bring your concerns and your suggestions, we want to hear from you.



Thursday, April 28 - 5pm-6pm

Intersection of Divide Ranch Circle and County Road 1.

Please utilize parking near mail boxes and we will walk to road for demonstrations.


Follow the Sheriff's Office on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Board of County Commissioner

March Meeting Schedule

(please check our website for current updates/changes)


April 5, 2022 Regular Meeting - Ouray County Courthouse

April 5, 2022 Work Session - Ouray County Courthouse

April 6, 2022 Work Session - Ouray County 4-H Event Center

April 13, 2022 Regular Meeting - Ouray County 4-H Event Center

April 14, 2022 Work Session - Ouray County Courthouse

April 26, 2022 Regular Meeting - Ouray County 4-H Event Center

April 27, 2022 Work Session - Ouray County Courthouse


Planning Commission March Meeting

View our website for agendas and updates




All meetings are open to the public or can be attended via ZOOM.

To view agendas and packets, please see our website.


Good news! Recorded BOCC meetings and work sessions are now available to watch on our website - view 2022 meetings HERE.

Holidays Observed by All County Departments


Monday, January 17 - Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

Monday, February 21 - Washington's Day

Monday, May 30 - Memorial Day

Monday, June 20 - Juneteenth National Independence Day (observed)

Monday, July 4 - Independence Day (observed)

Monday, September 5 - Labor Day

Monday, October 10 - Indigenous Peoples' Day

Thursday, November 10 - Veteran's Day (observed)

Thursday, November 24 - Thanksgiving

Monday, December 26 - Christmas (observed)

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