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Ouray County Newsletter

Connecting Ouray County Government with Ouray County

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Welcome to Ouray County’s first public newsletter! This newsletter is a first edition of a monthly series to bring Ouray County news to residents and visitors alike about Ouray County business, projects and topics of interest. We hope that you will enjoy its contents.


To begin, I am looking forward to a future without a health pandemic and would like to extend a huge thank you to the Ouray County Public Health Team led by Tanner Kingery, Public Health Director. It has been trying for everyone on a daily basis to work and live amongst COVID-19, and Tanner and his team work tirelessly to make sure our community is supported and protected.


Through it all, County business and services have continued to be provided to its patrons. County officials and staff have been steadfast and focused on public service provision and will continue to work safely and efficiently. I appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience as we navigate through all the changes.


On the budget/financial front, Budget-year 2022 has started off well for Ouray County with the adoption of the 2022 Budget and goal establishment for the future. Two large capital projects have been fulfilled, the Ouray County Courthouse Restoration/New Construction Project, and the Ouray County Public Health Fiber Project. In addition, Ouray County successfully completed a Classification and Compensation Study in 2021 to ensure organizational competitiveness within the market, to provide career growth opportunities for employees and to ensure that Ouray County can continue to attract and retain qualified and talented employees.


Ouray County has been successful in its recruitment by fulfilling the following positions: County Attorney, Road and Bridge Superintendent, Public Information Officer, Equipment Operators, Sheriff’s Investigator, Public Health Nurse, and Public Health Testing Coordinator. We are beginning to recruit for the following positions Deputy Sheriff, GIS Technician, Lead Mechanic, Building Inspector/Code Enforcement, and Deputy Social Services Director. 


As the County Administrator, I have the privilege of working for a dedicated Board of County Commissioners as well as working with a professional Team of qualified, reliable staff. Together, we work hard to keep Ouray County moving forward in a progressive and proactive manner. Many thanks to them all for their continued hard work. 



Connie Hunt, County Administrator

Needing a COVID-19 Vaccine or Booster?


Ouray County Public Health would like to remind our community members and visitors to please consider getting vaccinated against COVID-19. 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.


Order At-Home tests from CDPHE.


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

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!

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Ridgway Reservoir

Water Update


Last November (11-23-2021), the Ouray County BOCC, Ouray County Water Users Association, Tri-County Water Conservancy District, and Colorado River Water Conservation District finalized a contract with the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association (UVWUA). It specifies that if the Ridgway Reservoir delivers an additional 3,000 acre-feet (AF) downriver, the UVWUA agrees not to place a call on the Uncompahgre River for that season. 3,000 AF is the amount of depletion to the Uncompahgre River that occurs above the Montrose and Delta (M&D) Canal in a typical dry water year. Thus, the storage or delivery allotment fully compensates the stream for the upstream depletions.


The “M&D call” has historically shut off water to more junior Ouray County irrigators in dry years. This agreement has the potential to allow Ouray County irrigators to continue using water later into the season during our ever more frequent dry years. Ouray County is actively pursuing an opportunity to meet this agreement without the need to build any new infrastructure. Stay tuned for updates on this historic agreement.


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(Photo credit: Colorado Park & Wildlife)

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Senior Citizen Exemption


A property tax exemption is available to senior citizens and the surviving spouses of senior citizens previously granted the exemption. For those who qualify, 50 percent of the first $200,000 in actual value of their primary residence is exempted. The state pays the exempted portion of the property tax. Once approved, the exemption remains in effect for future years, and the applicant need not re-apply.

 

The exemption is available to applicants who: a) are at least 65 years of age as of January 1 of the year of application, b) owned their home for at least 10 consecutive years as of January 1, and c) occupy it as their primary residence and have done so for at least 10 consecutive years as of January 1. Limited exceptions to the ownership and occupancy requirements are detailed in the qualifications section of the application. The exemption is also available to surviving spouses of senior citizens who previously met the requirements.


The application deadline for 2022 is July 15. The application form is available from and must be submitted to the Ouray County Assessor at the following address: PO Box 665 ~ 541 4th Street, Ouray CO 81427 970-325-4371, or email.


Short Form Application

Short Form Instructions

Long Form Application

Long Form Instructions

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Regional Climate Action Plan


The Ouray and San Miguel County Regional Climate Action Plan was completed in 2021 in partnership with the Sneffels Energy Board and EcoAction Partners. It sets the stage for the next decade of climate action across our region, and lays out our commitment to taking action across all greenhouse gas emissions sectors applicable to our region. We are requesting public comment and feedback through a survey that It is designed to capture your thoughts, ideas, and input as we implement the regional Climate Action Plan.

Please take the survey at: www.ecoactionpartners.org/cap

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Property Tax Notices


Ouray County taxpayers should have received their property tax notices already; however, the treasurer’s office have had statements returned to their office due to an incorrect address.


If you have not received your statement you may view and print yours by logging on to the Ouray County Treasurers website as a public user.


Please also call the Ouray County Treasurer’s office to update your mailing and email address as well as your phone number. 

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Deputy Chism Promoted

to Investigator


The Ouray County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the promotion of Deputy Bernie Chism to the position of Investigator.


The Investigator position will be instrumental in conducting high level criminal investigations that require specific expertise and investigative skills. We are at a day and age when major and complex crimes are on the rise and impacting our communities. Ouray County is not exempt from this national trend, and we are responding with a proactive approach by dedicating a full-time investigator to investigate and work closely with prosecutors, to ensure the highest quality of investigations are thoroughly completed and adjudicated.


Investigator Chism began his career in law enforcement in 1995 when he put himself through Corrections Academy and then the Police Academy. He was then hired by the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office in 1996 where he worked for seven years as a Deputy Sheriff as well as a Corrections Sergeant. He then transferred to Montrose Police Department where he held the ranks of Patrol Officer, Detective and Patrol Sergeant. During Bernie’s time as Detective with Montrose Police, he was awarded Office of the Year by the American Legion for his work on a major financial crime that resulted in the arrest and charging of 98 felonies.


In 2018 Bernie took a break from law enforcement to help with a family business but returned shortly after in 2019 when he was hired by the Ouray Police Department as a part-time officer where he worked until he was hired by the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office in October 2020.


Investigator Chism brings a vast knowledge and extensive list of trainings to the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office. Such trainings include Traffic Accident Investigator, SWAT Command School, Ending Violence against Women, Homicide Investigations, Background Investigations, Infant/Child Injury Death, and many more. He is also a certified instructor in Defensive Driving, Explosive Breaching, and a State Recognized Alcohol Server Instructor.


During his 24 years in law enforcement, Bernie has been honored with many awards and citations including a Medal of Valor for his support during an Officer Involved Shooting incident and a Life Saving Award for his help in preventing a suicidal party from cutting her wrist. He has also been honored with 17 Chief Citations, S.W.A.T Officer of the Year, and many others.  


The Ouray County Sheriff’s Office and the Ouray community are extremely fortunate to have a well experienced and dedicated individual such as Investigator Bernie serving in an important position. Investigator Chism will assume his position and duties immediately upon filling the vacant patrol deputy position.


The entire Sheriff’s Office is looking forward to his contributions in this new role.

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Vegetation Management

Weed of the Month

-Spotted Knapweed-


In Ouray County, Spotted Knapweed is present in the Town of Ridgway primarily. Estimated infestation is around 12 acres throughout the county. The map below shows a portion of the known areas infested, and may not include acres on private property, USFS, or BLM properties.


Spotted Knapweed is a priority species in Ouray County, which means that eradication of populations is the management objective. Spotted Knapweed is a noxious weed, which is not part of any successional vegetation cycles and is indigenous to southcentral and southeastern Europe and northwestern Asia. Spotted Knapweed is considered one of the most pervasive noxious weeds in western North America. In the environment spotted knapweed has the following detrimental effects.

·Severely decreases biological diversity

·Reduces availability of desired forage for livestock and wildlife

·Hinders reforestation and restoration efforts

·Produces a chemical toxic to other plants, allowing it to grow at the expense of native vegetation

·Large infestations increase erosion and runoff

·Is unpalatable in growth stages following the rosette stage.


(How to Identify)

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

·Seeds germinate during summer or fall

·Has gray green leaves

·Leaves have short hairs

·Flowers are pinkish-purple

·Is a perennial (grows back year after year)

·Peak bud production June and July

·Has black tipped “eyelashes” on the top of the bracts

·Produces about 25,000 seeds (or more) per plant

·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 Spotted Knapweed infestations, with elimination in mind. Weed control is a community effort! Please do your part to keep Ouray County vegetation native, and protect wildlife and livestock.


To reach our Vegetation Management Office, please call

970-626-9775

2022 Skijoring


The 2022 San Juan Skijoring Event is in the books. We had a live event on January 8 & 9 with participants from Canada, Montana, Arizona, Wyoming and right here in Ouray County. A great time was had by all. Great food from the Ouray Meat & Cheese Shop, Beth’s Sandwich Shop and The Roarin’ Cajun provided a fun atmosphere highlighted with a Beer Garden on Saturday. The Ouray County Fairgrounds was muddy and messy but that didn’t keep the spectators from coming. Spectator count was high and the Event Center accommodated well, even with our masks on. The contestants worked hard to stay on their feet (or hooves) to keep the excitement going while keeping safety the Top Priority.


Saturday proved to be a “true” Colorado weather experience. We started the day with freezing temps and sunny skies. Those temps climbed quickly and the sunshine hastened the arrival of spring-like mud to the entire property before 10am. Just as soon as the mud was taking over, the temps dropped, the clouds moved in and the blizzard began. With winds at around 25 mph, the snow was falling in big flakes sideways throughout the afternoon. We finished the day’s competition in the dark under cloudy skies and a fresh blanket of 4” of snow.


Sunday was glorious. Fresh snow on the ground, brisk temps and SUNSHINE galore. Timing went better, contestants "flew" down the course and we completed a great weekend with smiles on our shiny faces.


Special thanks to Ouray County staff, Victoria and Dolgio for manning our 2 bars during the weekend festivities. For those who are unaware, Dolgio makes a “killer” bloody mary.


The Ouray County Rodeo Association serves as the “umbrella” non-profit for the San Juan Skijoring Event in January to help Ouray County businesses during the, often, tough Winter Shoulder season. We want to thank them for the time and effort in bringing this event together.


(Photo credit to San Juan Skijoring)

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Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

is here to help with heating costs


You may qualify for LEAP benefits if you:

  • Pay home heating costs, either directly to a utility company or to a landlord as part of rent. 
  • Are a permanent legal resident of the United States and a Colorado resident or you have household members who are U.S. citizens. 
  • Earn a maximum family household income that does not exceed 60% of the state median income level. 
  • Provide proof of lawful presence in the U.S. Valid forms of identification include: 
  • Colorado driver’s license or Colorado Identification card 
  • United States Military Identification Card or Military Dependent’s Identification card
  • United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner card 
  • Native American Tribal document 

Use the table below to determine your monthly gross income according to your household size. Household refers to all people living with you and for whom you are financially responsible. Call 1-866-HEAT-HELP or go to www.Colorado.gov/CDHS/LEAP for more information.


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Board of County Commissioner

February Meeting Schedule

(please check our website for current updates/changes)


February 1, 2022 Regular Meeting - Ouray County Courthouse

February 2, 2022 Work Session (if needed) - Ouray County Courthouse

February 17, 2022 Regular Meeting - Ouray County 4-H Event Center


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

To view agendas and packets, please see our website.

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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