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Ouray County Newsletter

October 2022


Connecting Ouray County Government with Ouray County

County Master Plan to be updated


On September 21, the Board of County Commissioners, the Ouray County Planning Commission, and County Staff met with KLJ Engineering in a work session to discuss possible updates to the

Ouray County Master Plan

 

The current Master Plan dates back to December 1999 and has been the long-range guide used in making decisions that affect the physical, cultural and socioeconomic development of Ouray County since that time.

 

With various key goals such as "allow gradual, long-term population and economic growth in Ouray County in a manner that does not harm the County's irreplaceable scenic beauty, wildlife, air and water resources, and other environmental qualities and that does not unduly burden the County's residents or its governments" the Plan has brought Ouray County forward 23 years.

 

KLJ Engineering currently provides contract engineering and planning services to the county. KLJ was requested to conduct preliminary meetings with the BOCC and Planning Commission and to develop a ‘scope of work’ detailing how the county might conduct a review and update of the County’s Master Plan.

 

A review of the County’s Master Plan is a lengthy process (likely a year or more) that is spearheaded by the County Planning Commission and that requires necessary participation by local community members as well as the City and the Town. For more information on this project please contact Planning Director Mark Castrodale at: (970) 626-9775



You can view the September 21 presentation from KLJ Eng. as well as the public meeting.


KLJ Engineering will provide engineering services to augment Ouray County's staff for long-range planning, budgeting, capital program and policy development, project management, site plan reviews, field inspection, request for services development, bid evaluations, and other services.

Ouray County Leaders work to improve Wildfire Mitigation Regulations


In September, FEMA released the “Local Elected and Appointed Officials Guide: Roles and Resources in Emergency Management”. This guide makes it easier for local elected and appointed officials to understand, prepare for and execute their leadership responsibilities to help mitigate community risks; save lives; protect property; and recover from disasters. 


“Local Elected and Appointed Officials Guide: Roles and Resources in Emergency Management” provides an executive-level introduction to emergency management concepts and principles for local senior officials and identifies local senior officials’ roles and responsibilities for incident emergency management before, during and after disasters. The guide also explains how to access additional resources.


Also in September, the Community Wildfire Planning Center published their study Regulating the Wildland-Urban Interface in Colorado which highlighted 3 case studies: Colorado Springs, Eagle County, Ouray County.


The Community Wildfire Planning Center (CWPC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to helping communities prepare for, adapt to, and recover from wildfires.



Ouray County is honored to have been participants in these two valuable documents.

Ouray County EMS Needs Ambulance Drivers!


? Are you recently retired or new to this area and seeking a way to serve your fellow citizens in a critical and important way?


? Do you consider yourself in good health and a good driver?


? Would you enjoy the adventure and excitement of dealing with emergency situations?


? Are you available for 12 hour on-call periods 4 days or more a month?


? Would you enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded and well trained volunteers?


? Would you benefit from the specialized driver’s training in the operation of an ambulance that will carry over to your personal driving?


If you answered yes to these questions, please consider volunteering to be an ambulance driver! RStewart@OurayCountyCO.gov

or 970-325-7275 for more information.


OCEMS offers an opportunity for you to enjoy the satisfaction of having helped people in a time of medical or traumatic need.

Sheriff's Office hosts free pancake breakfast!


Save the date and join us! Saturday, Oct 8 @ 10am at the Ouray County Fairgrounds & Event Center


We're cooking up a FREE pancake breakfast and offering information and education on our new Ranch Watch program.


What's Ranch Watch?

The Ranch Watch Program ® is designed to prevent criminal activities in rural and ranching communities. The program works for land and livestock owners in rural subdivisions or large ranches and those in between, through education, and information.


Spread the word and we hope to see you there!



On the Road with Road & Bridge



Watch the October Road & Bridge Report and learn about completed projects and upcoming projects in the County. 




Follow Road & Bridge on Facebook!

2022 General Election


The 2022 General Election is Tuesday, November 8!


Important Election dates can be found on our website: https://ouraycountyco.gov/328/Election-Information


Please take a moment to verify your voter registration information online using the voter registration link on our page BEFORE ballots are mailed the week of Monday, October 17 to ensure you receive your ballot in a timely manner.

Check your voter registration information.


Monday, October 24th: Voter Service Polling Center (VSPC) opens at the Ouray County Courthouse!


View the Notice of General Election



Click on image below to expand.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, can be more easily reached by calling or texting 988, or chatting on 988lifeline.org.


988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the U.S., you can easily access 24/7 emotional support. You do not have to be suicidal to reach out. Our trained crisis counselors can help you through whatever mental health challenges you are experiencing.


(988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)

Become a Licensed Child Care Provider


A major bottleneck in providing child care is a lack of licensed individuals in the region. If you are interested in becoming a licensed child care provider, you can take the two required courses for free.


The college level courses necessary are ECE 101 and 103, and you can take them for free from a college of your choice in Colorado, paid for by money dedicated by the state of Colorado. Local colleges that offer the courses include online programs through Western Colorado Community College and Colorado Northwestern Community College, and an in-person/online hybrid through Colorado Mesa University in Montrose.


Bright Futures can help guide you through the process of enrolling and receiving financial aid so there will be no financial cost to you.


Ouray County lacks enough child care to meet demand, and an informal working group comprised of representatives from Bright Futures, Voyager, Ridgway and Ouray school districts, Ouray County, Town of Ridgway, City of Ouray, Home Trust of Ouray County, and Trina’s Fun House are working on solutions.


View information flyer


Vegetation Management Weed of the Month

-Diffuse Knapweed-

HIGH PRIORITY!


Diffuse Knapweed is found in Ouray County!

Location: Rollans Park, County Roads 13 and 14. Please help eradicate this species, and report sightings to the Ouray County Vegetation Manger.


How to Identify: 

·       Single white flowers with brown “Arrow shaped” spines at the top of bracts under the flower head. Seeds heads about the size of a nickel.

·       Basal leaves are light silver green and linear at beginning of season and grow more oval shaped as plant grows. Leaves higher on stem extremely small

·       Leaves alternate

·       Reproduces by seed, seeds viable for 10 years

·       Peak bud production June through September

·       Single stem, erect and branching

·       Seeds are spread through wind, animals, rivers and contaminated hay. 18,000 seeds per plant



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

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

In the environment Diffuse Knapweed causes these effects.

  • Grows vigorously once established, requires extensive control efforts
  • Reduces forage and wildlife habitat
  • Out-competes native vegetation especially Native grasses, and is highly invasive
  • Leads to declines in native animals
  • Increases soil erosion
  • Produces toxins in its roots which inhibits the growth of other desirable plants
  • Reduces forage for livestock, if eaten damages digestive tract



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

Ouray County Public Health is ready to help you fight the flu!


Flu season is here, so get your annual flu vaccine as soon as possible, as this flu season could be more severe than recent years. Data from the Southern Hemisphere shows an earlier flu season, with more laboratory-confirmed cases this season than in the past five years. Everyone aged 6 months and older should get their annual flu vaccine, ideally before the end of October. 

 

You can safely get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine, including the new omicron dose, during the same visit, if it is provided. Anyone 6 months or older can get a COVID-19 vaccine, and anyone aged 12 years and older can get an COVID-19 omicron dose at least two months after finishing their primary series or receiving their most recent booster dose. Coloradans can also ask their health care provider if they are due for any other routine vaccines.

 

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and the community. While healthy people normally recover from the flu, getting a vaccine keeps you from spreading the virus to those at higher risk for flu complications, including people 65 and older, children under 5, pregnant people, and those with certain chronic medical conditions. And because babies younger than 6 months can’t get the vaccine, it’s up to us all to protect them.

 

Medicare, Medicaid, CHP+, and most private health insurers cover the full cost of the flu vaccine. You don’t have to pay anything to health care providers that accept your health plan. If you don’t have health insurance, you can still get the flu vaccine for free at certain health care providers. Free vaccine providers, as well as additional information on flu vaccines, can be found at fluvaxcolorado.org. Protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu by contacting your health care provider, local public health agency, or pharmacy to make a vaccine appointment today.


You can call 970-325-4670 or sign-up online!

COVID-19 Vaccines


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 6 months 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. 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. 



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




Monkeypox Vaccine Information:


Ouray Public Health has a limited number of free Monkeypox vaccines for Coloradans who meet the criteria below. Appointment will be made available based on our limited vaccine allotment from the federal government. Please call with any questions or to set up a vaccination appointment. 970-325-4670 extension 4.

 

CDPHE is also broadening the eligibility criteria for monkeypox vaccination. Updated expanded vaccination eligibility categories are:


  • Anyone (any sexual orientation or gender identity) who has had close physical contact with someone who has monkeypox in the last 14 days.
  • Anyone (any sexual orientation or gender identity) who: 
  • Has had multiple sexual partners in the last 14 days, or 
  • Has had sexual partners they did not previously know in the last 14 days, or
  • Has had close physical contact with other people in a venue where anonymous or group sex may occur in the last 14 days, or
  • Was diagnosed with gonorrhea or syphilis in the past three months, or
  • Who already uses or is eligible for HIV PrEP (medication to prevent HIV, e.g. Truvada or Descovy or Apretude), or
  • Who engages in commercial and/or transactional sex (e.g. sex in exchange for money, shelter, food, and other goods or needs).
  • Anyone (any sexual orientation or gender identity) identified by public health as a known high-risk contact of someone who has monkeypox.


View more about Monkeypox HERE

View Vaccine dosage information



Follow Ouray County Public Health on Facebook


View Tanner's October 4 Public Health Update

Sign up for BOTH Ouray County Emergency 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

code red.png

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!

Highway 550 Construction Continues



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)

Board of County Commissioner and Planning Commission

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



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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