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Ouray County Newsletter
September 2022
Connecting Ouray County Government with Ouray County
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2023 Budget
It's budget season for Ouray County. Over the next several weeks the County Administrator will be working on the 2023 Budget. The proposed 2023 Budget will be scheduled for a Public Hearing on December 6, 2022.
The 2023 budget is based upon budget policies adopted by the Board of County Commissioners, Budget Guidelines developed by the County Administrator and annual goals developed by Elected Officials, Appointed Officials and Department Heads. Ouray County Elected Officials, Appointed Officials and Department Heads submit their annual budget requests to the County Administrator as specified in the Budgetary Guidelines. A budget work session is then conducted to introduce the effects of estimated revenues and expenditures on the proposed budget.
The budget is prepared in accordance with Colorado Budget Law. It is developed in compliance with the TABOR provisions of Colorado, Amendment One. All Ouray County funds are accounted for utilizing the modified accrual basis of accounting. Revenues are recognized when earned and expenses are recognized when incurred.
Upcoming 2023 Budget Schedule
Sept 21, 2023: Budget Work Session with County Administrator, Department Heads, Elected Officials and BOCC
Oct 4, 2023: Proposed Preliminary 2023 Budget will be presented to the BOCC at regular meeting along with a request to publish the “Notice of Budget”
December 6, 2023: 2023 Budget Hearing
You can view the current County Budget and the County's Financial Transparency portal on our website.
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The Ouray County Labor Day Rodeo returns this year for
ONE DAY ONLY!
We hope to see you Monday, September 5, at the Ouray County Fairgrounds!
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Road and Bridge to the Rescue!
Our Road & Bridge department recently received a letter of appreciation from one of the stranded motorists that were trapped in Yankee Boy Basin on July 27.
"I write this letter to sincerely thank the Ouray County road crews, and especially Mr. Ty Barger for helping out a bunch of people caught off-guard by the sudden fury of Mother Nature. He
was a cool head in a sea of confusion that day. His honest concern for the well-being of everyone that day was deeply appreciated. Additionally, his follow-up the next day and the help
he provided to retrieve our vehicle was above and beyond what we could have reasonably expected. Mr. Barger is a testament to what it means to be a public servant. You are fortunate to have someone like him working for your county. He will be fondly remembered by all of us." (letter excerpt)
Read the entire letter HERE
Way to go Ty and his crew!
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Community Members Share Shout Out to Vegetation Manager
"I just want to take a moment to recognize your County Weed Staff person, I believe Julie, who works with a small group of locals with chemical sensitivities. She lets us know by text when and where spraying is occurring so we can avoid the area(s). Today she is accommodating a local resident who wants to go swimming at the pool in Ouray and could not go if staff sprays in Ouray.
Exposure can send any one of us to the hospital due to severe allergic and/or medical reactions.
Julie deserves recognition for helping a small unique population that can be a bit high maintenance, albeit for health reasons, but nonetheless we complicate her day. She does it very willingly to help keep us safe from chemical exposure. I appreciate her time and attention to our little group."
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New Marijuana Ordinance Adopted; Effective October 1, 2022
On August 30th the Board of County Commissioners approved the second publication of the new Marijuana Ordinance (2022-02) which will go into effect on October 1, simultaneously lifting the moratorium on new marijuana cultivation applications. Among many administrative changes for clarity, substantive policy changes include:
• No outdoor cultivation (previously allowed)
• Minimum property size increased from 10 acres to 35 acres
• No retail/hospitality stores in the unincorporated county (previously allowed)
• Alpine zone removed from allowed cultivation zones. Cultivation is now allowed only in Valley and High Mesa Zones.
• Cultivation facility must have direct access to a state/federal highway or numbered type 1 or 2 county road (no shared driveways)
• 1,000 foot setback from cultivation facility buildings to any primary or accessory dwelling unit (no setback existed previously)
• 200 foot internal setback from cultivation facility buildings to the property line (no setback existed previously)
• Limit of 9,000 plants at any property (no limit previously)
• Reduced number cultivation facilities allowed in the county from 10 to 6. There are 4 operating currently.
• No licenses will be issued by Ouray County for the following license types: retail/medical store, transporter, business operator, hospitality business
A moratorium on new marijuana cultivation applications was enacted April 28, 2021 in order to pause new applications until a new ordinance could be developed to address multiple points of conflict. Commissioners wished to develop the new ordinance with assistance from a full time staff attorney who began work for the county in November 2021. After an initial onboarding period, development of the new marijuana ordinance began in earnest at the start of 2022 and concluded in July, with the official first and second readings in August.
Read the full Ordinance 2022-002
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Lifeline for Vets
Did you know that Ouray County shares a Veteran Service Officer with Montrose County?
Veteran Service Officer, Sheldon Smith, works with vets living in our two counties, helping them to navigate submitting claims to the VA hospital, but also helps in connecting them with other vets for peer support.
Every second Tuesday of the month, Sheldon meets with local vets for coffee at the Sherbino Theater in Ridgway. The group meets from 10am-Noon and Sheldon invites vets to come enjoy a cup of coffee and get to know other vets in the area.
Sheldon is located at the Warrior Resource Center - 11 South Park Avenue in Montrose
970-249-2115 or 970-765-2210
Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one?
You're not alone
The Veterans Crisis Line is here for you. You don't have to be enrolled in VA health care or registered with VA to call.
Dial 988 and press 1, text 838255
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We are very thankful for the many veterans that work for Ouray County! | |
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On the Road with Road & Bridge
On Friday, August 26, Corbett Creek on County Road 17 suffered another massive mudslide forcing the road to be closed until repairs to the culvert could be made. This was the third major flooding event this area has experienced since July 30.
On September 1, two new culverts were installed, the road surface was restored and the road was reopened.
Watch our culvert backfill video
Follow Road & Bridge on Facebook!
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July 16, 2022, was a historical day for suicide prevention and mental health in the U.S.! 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)
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Commissioners show support for Uncompahgre River Multi-Benefit Project
In August, Commissioners sent two letters of support in regard to the Uncompahgre River Milti-Benefit Project and the Accelerator Grant and the Water Plan Grant which would provide funding for multiple benefits including watershed health and riparian habitat benefits as well as much-needed improvements to the Ward Ditch headgate and water delivery system and drinking water well testing.
The Uncompahgre River Multi-Benefit Project is a phased project which will accomplish several objectives:
- Improve access to and management of water for users of the Ward Ditch.
- Improve in-stream and riparian habitat through river channel improvements and better connectivity with the floodplain.
- Evaluate this demonstration project and share results to guide future restoration efforts within the Uncompahgre watershed.
American Rivers is applying for this grant on behalf of a collaborative stakeholder group of project partners, which include: Ward Water Group (landowners along the river), Fred Phillips Consulting, Trout Unlimited, Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership, and American Rivers. This work will build on habitat improvement work several landowners have already initiated.
This collaborative, multi-benefit project seeks to improve habitat, water quality, water management, and late season flows along an incised, degraded stretch of the Uncompahgre River between Ouray and Ridgway.
Project components include infrastructure upgrades, river channel improvements, floodplain restoration, and riparian revegetation. In addition to the direct project benefits, the accessible location of the site makes it well-suited to demonstrate how river restoration activities can benefit water users as well as habitat.
Letter of support to Colorado Water Conservation Board
Letter of support to Colorado River Water Conservation District
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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
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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.
Click on image below to expand.
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The Imogene Pass Run returns to Ouray County on Saturday, September 10!
The event begins at 7:30AM at Main Street and 4th Avenue in Ouray.
The route will take between 1250-1300 runners up Camp Bird Road, over Imogene Pass and into Telluride.
Road closures will be in place during the staging portion of the event and Sheriff deputies will be patrolling the Ouray County side of the route.
Photo credit: Imogene Pass Run
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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
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Colorado Communities for Climate Action Update
This month Ouray County received an update on the legislative and rulemaking actions of Colorado Communities for Climate Action (CC4CA), of which Ouray County is a member. CC4CA is a coalition of counties and municipalities advocating for strong state and federal climate policy. As a small county in Colorado this organization helps our elected representatives amplify the priorities of our community by helping us engage in the state legislative process to secure protections and benefits for our rural western slope interests that may otherwise be overlooked by state lawmakers focused on the front range. Commissioner Niece spoke at the State House Energy & Environment committee in favor of HB22-1355 Producer Responsibility Program, which will shift responsibility for recycling of single-use packaging onto large companies that sell them, and HB22-1362 Building Greenhouse Gas Emissions which will improve building codes to make new homes more energy efficient and all-electric ready.
View Update presented to Commissioners on August 16, 2022
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Western Slope Community Education on Nicotine & Vaping
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and Ouray County Public Health are hosting a free two-day education summit at the Ridgway 4H Center & Fairgrounds. Friday, September 16th 8:30 am-4pm there will be 10 expert guest speakers, breakfast and lunch provided, and daycare available for attendees. Saturday, September 17th is for middle and high school students only from 9am – 1pm which will be dedicated to engaging teens about their experiences as young adults in a world full of enticing nicotine-filled products and their impacts on social and environmental justice. There will be games, prizes, and meaningful discussion! For more details and to REGISTER visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/western-slope-community-education-on-nicotine-vaping-tickets-375364323797
Click on image below to expand
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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.
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.
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:
o Has had multiple sexual partners in the last 14 days, or
o Has had sexual partners they did not previously know in the last 14 days, or
o Has had close physical contact with other people in a venue where anonymous or group sex may occur in the last 14 days, or
o Was diagnosed with gonorrhea or syphilis in the past three months, or
o Who already uses or is eligible for HIV PrEP (medication to prevent HIV, e.g. Truvada or Descovy or Apretude), or
o 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 HERE
Follow Ouray County Public Health on Facebook
View Tanner's August 31 Public Health Update
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Sign up for BOTH Ouray County Emergency Notification Systems! | |
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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!
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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)
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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.
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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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