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Ouray County Newsletter
March 2024
Connecting Ouray County Government with Ouray County
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IN THIS EDITION:
- Baldy Mountain Project - Free Wildfire Mitigation
- Emergency Evacuation Plan Survey
- New OurWay Transit Route
- Avalanche Beacon Training Area
- Mental Health Services
- Region 10 Small Business Support
- Weed of the Month
- Current Job Openings
- Community Happenings
- And more!
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Free Wildfire Mitigation
in the Baldy Mountain Project Area
The West Region Wildfire Council (WRWC), in conjunction with the Baldy Mountain Landscape Resiliency and Habitat Improvement Project, is offering free vegetation management to qualifying property owners within the Baldy Mountain Priority Area for a limited time. The effort is intended to increase safety by reducing wildfire hazards around structures, along driveways and in communities.
Property owners can determine whether they are within the priority area by viewing the map online at https://cowildfire.org/baldyproject/. In addition, WRWC plans to mail out letters to area property owners. Anyone who is interested can sign up for a free site visit at https://cowildfire.org/site-visit/ or by calling 970-316-7300. WRWC encourages people to sign up by April 30, 2024.
During the site visit, a WRWC Wildfire Mitigation Specialist or Forester visits the property to discuss site-specific wildfire risk and mitigation strategies, including home hardening and vegetative treatments. They will also determine if a property owner is eligible to participate in the program. Eligible property owners will then be asked to submit a Project Participation Intent form no later than June 3, 2024.
The Baldy Mountain Landscape Resiliency and Habitat Improvement Project was initiated by the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in collaboration with the National Forest Foundation, Bureau of Land Management, WRWC, Colorado State Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service and private landowners.
As part of this large-scale land management project, various fuels treatments are planned, including hand thinning of vegetation, mechanical vegetation removal, and strategic prescribed fire. These methods are effective management tools for removing excess vegetation, stimulating plant growth, and improving critical wildlife habitat. Properties adjacent to habitat treatment units in the larger priority area may also be eligible for wildlife habitat improvement treatments.
West Region Wildfire Council, a local nonprofit, has worked with partners and citizens over the years to reduce wildfire risk in Colorado by offering resources and technical guidance including free site visits to residents of Ouray, San Miguel, Montrose, Delta, Gunnison, and Hinsdale counties. WRWC’s vegetation management cost-share program has helped landowners successfully create defensible spaces. Learn more about the Baldy Project at https://www.nationalforests.org/baldy-mountain or https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=58554.
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You might qualify for free vegetation management to increase your property's resilience to wildfire if you live within this pink line. The first step is a free site visit.
Learn More!
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Have you completed the quick Emergency Evacuation Plan Survey?
Residents are urged to complete the survey and provide their valuable input before
March 15th, 2024.
Stay tuned for upcoming public meetings!
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New Montrose to Ouray OurWay Transit Route begins Today, March 4! | |
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Ouray Mountain Rescue Team installs Avalanche Beacon Training Area
Kudos to Ouray Mountain Rescue Team! The Avalanche Beacon Training Area is up and running on Portland Road outside of Ouray. You can reach it by walking or skiing approximately a quarter mile from the lower parking lot on Amphitheater Road on Portland Road (aka County Road 16). All you need is a beacon and a probe. Snow flotation is recommended. PLEASE DO NOT USE SHOVELS! Instructions on how to use the training system can be found inside of the control box.
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Mental Health Services Provided by Axis Health Systems
In Person Services and Telehealth Options Available for Ouray County Residents!
Benefits of telehealth include:
- Remote access to providers
- Flexible appointments
- Convenience
- Comfort and privacy of your own home
- No transportation concerns
- Weather and road conditions are not a problem
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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Available 24/7/365
Text 988 for Help
If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the 988 Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.
The 988 Lifeline is available for everyone, is free, and confidential.
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Ouray County
Weed of the Month
Canada Thistle
Canada Thistle causes these effects in the environment:
• Aggressive perennial with extensive root system that can spread up to 15 feet laterally
• Reproduces by seed and rhizomes, so cutting is not an effective form of control of this noxious weed
• Highly invasive, severely reduces pasture capacity and desirable forages
Weed control is a community effort!
Please do your part to keep Ouray County
vegetation native, and protect wildlife and livestock.
See the Ouray County Vegetation Management website for an identification tool, to help you identify all weeds of concern in Ouray County.
For questions about noxious weeds, please contact Julie Kolb, Ouray County Vegetation Manager: jkolb@ourayco.gov
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How to Identify Canada Thistle
• Seedlings spring and fall
• Buds are 1/2 inch wide by 3/ 4 inch long, have a tear-dropped shape, and lack spines
• Flowers are white to purple
• Flowers June through August
• Up to 5,000 seeds per plant. Seeds many remain viable for over 20 years
• Leaves alternate, topside dark green, underside usually lighter
• Most recognizable in mid-July when flowers change to seed heads with obvious white fluffy tops
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WE'RE HIRING - COME JOIN OUR TEAM! |  | |
Public Health Director
Salary: $104,198.06 to $130,247.57
The County of Ouray is currently accepting applications for the position of Public Health Director. This is a fulltime, exempt position responsible for administering and enforcing the public health laws of the State of Colorado and as authorized by the provisions of the Colorado Revised Statutes and regulations adopted by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The position is supervised by the County Manager and reports to a three-member Board of Health. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications established in rule (6 CCR 1014-6) and listed below:
A Physician Candidate:
a) Licensed to practice in the State of Colorado within six months of hire.
b) Medical school graduate (MD or DO) and preferably board certified in preventive medicine.
c) Within the past ten years, have five years of administrative experience in public health or related field; two years supervising public health professionals.
d) A candidate with one year of graduate study in a recognized school of public health is preferred.
A Non-Physician Director Candidate:
a) Have a Master’s Degree in public health or related discipline.
b) Within the past ten years, have five years of administrative experience in public health or related field; two years supervising public health professionals.
c) If a candidate is a nurse, he/she shall have a license to practice in Colorado within six months of hire.
A valid driver’s license is required. The job description is available on Ouray County’s
website at www.ouraycountyco.gov or upon request to Human Resources (970) 325-7332.
Benefits include; medical, dental, vision, 5% matching retirement, ability to participate in a deferred compensation plan; vacation, sick and personal leave accrual and an employee assistance program. Interested applicants must either mail, email or hand deliver, a cover letter, resume, and three work-related references to: Human Resources Director, Ouray County, P.O. Box C, Ouray, CO 81427; speck@ourayco.gov; 541 4TH Street, Ouray, CO 81427. Letters of Interest and Resumes are due by March 13, 2024. Ouray County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Deputy County Attorney
Salary: $104,198.06 to $130,247.57
Ouray County is soliciting applications for the position of Deputy County Attorney. This position, under general direction of the County Attorney, assists in providing in-house legal advice, representation, and civil legal services to the Board of County Commissioners, County Manager, Elected or Appointed Officials, and County Departments. The Deputy County Attorney assists in managing and litigating all civil legal affairs in the County, and with ensuring that all contracts and other official documents are approved as legally valid and enforceable. This position may take lead responsibility for contractual review, public records requests, and code enforcement, after sufficient training.
Requirements: Applicants must be a member of the bar in good standing in Colorado, and admitted to practice before the courts of the State of Colorado. Two to five years of practice experience is strongly preferred with county, state, municipal or other local government, including experience handling general governmental practice matters.
To obtain the complete job description and application procedures, please click the following link: https://ouraycountyco.gov/445/Current-Job-Openings
Benefits include: medical, dental, vision, 5% matching retirement, ability to participate in
a deferred compensation plan; vacation, sick and personal leave accrual, an employee assistance program, and other excellent benefits. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and the position is open until filled. Application materials may be emailed to Human Resources and the County Attorney at speck@ourayco.gov and lcaselli@ourayco.gov. Should you have questions, please call Human Resources at 970-325-7332. Ouray County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Need extra help with your taxes?
Many community groups, nonprofit organizations, and volunteer programs offer income tax filing assistance at low or no cost for individuals and families.
Dial 211, or visit 211Colorado.org for more information.
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Be Wildfire Ready! Clear Debris After Storms
Ouray County often experiences strong winds throughout the year. After each wind storm, you might see leaves and other debris that landed within 5 feet of your home. To Live Wildfire Ready, you have to keep that space clear of leaves, needles and other flammable materials. That's just one way to help reduce the risk of wildfire. Check out other tips at https://csfs.colostate.edu/live-wildfire-ready/
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What improvements can San Miguel Power Association help you make to your home?
SMPA wants to help you save. They build their rebate programs to encourage energy-efficient technologies, and appliances that promote beneficial electrification.
Learn more!
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Ouray County Mental Health Fair
Saturday, March 9 at the Ouray Community Center
4PM-8PM
For more information visit Voyager Youth Program or call 970-626-4279
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A Benefit for the Uncompahgre River | |
Please join RIGS Fly Shop, Telluride Angler and Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership for the 8th Annual BENEFIT for the UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER Fundraiser and the 18th Annual F3T Fly Fishing Film Tour. Come out and celebrate all things fly fishing with an array of short films from destinations worldwide, all while raising awareness for the Uncompahgre River Watershed.
Saturday, March 16th, 2024
DOORS OPEN AT 5:30 PM. FILMS START AT 6:30 PM at Ouray County's 4H Events Center in Ridgway, CO. Enjoy Pizza, Prizes, Brews and more.
100% of the proceeds raised from this event will be donated to the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership for projects slated to improve river health within the Uncompahgre River Valley. Come grab some pizza, drinks and beer. Plus, incredible door prizes, silent auctions, and more.
We could not have hosted this event without the generous support from Alpine Bank, The Liquor Store, and Colorado Boy Southwest Pub! Thank you to our local sponsors for making this event even more special.
To purchase tickets, please go to RIGS Fly Shop Blog page at fishrigs.com/blog or search F3T Ridgway Colorado.
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Ouray County Alerts is used to communicate critical public safety topics including evacuations, wildfire, flooding, and other emergency notifications.
Ouray County Alerts is also used to communicate other general messages, such as Road & Bridge Maintenance Updates, Avalanche Mitigation Notices and Controlled Burn Notices.
During the registration process, you can choose the types of alerts/updates you receive and how to receive them, including: landline phone, cell phone, text/SMS message, and email.
All residents, visitors, and family members living in Ouray County are encouraged to sign up for alerts. You can register HERE
View our FAQs if you have questions.
Already Registered? Log-in HERE to check your account.
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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.
Did you miss a meeting and want to know what happened? Recorded BOCC meetings and work sessions are available to watch on our website!
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