Ouray County Newsletter

 June 2024

Connecting Ouray County Government with Ouray County

IN THIS EDITION:

• Waterview Homes Lottery
• Ouray Mountain Rescue 50 Year Celebration
• Evacuation Plan Update
• Baldy Mountain Project
• Uncompahgre RiverFest
• On the Road with Road & Bridge
• Sheriff's Office baseball camp
• Crystal Reservoir Drawdown Update
• San Miguel Power / Red Mountain Work
• Treasurer's Office Update
• Master Plan Update / Save the date!
• Weed of the Month
• PeaceJam Weed Pull Article
• Upcoming Events
• Mountain Echo of Ouray County
• Ouray County Incident Management Team
• Victims Services
• Ouray County Alerts
• And more!

Waterview Homes Lottery Process is OPEN

Lottery Information

The lottery timeline has been released! The Application Period is open from May 15th through June 27th. For all key dates and to learn how to apply for the lottery, download this timeline/guide and visit the website of the Lottery Administrator, Impact Development Services, here.

Purchasing Process Steps

1) Buyer completes The Preliminary Deed Restriction Qualification/Interest form and reads through the deed restriction summary to understand if they will qualify for the project. If there are any doubts or questions, feel free to reach out to the Housing Authority at lottery@impactdf.org

2) Buyer contacts mortgage lenders on our website (or any other lenders they would like) to obtain a pre-qualification letter for a mortgage. Mortgage Pre-qualification Letter is REQUIRED to enter the Lottery. A list of lenders can be found here.

3) Buyer completes and submits the Deed Restriction/Lottery Application by visiting the website of Impact Development Services here. Complete application must be submitted before June 27th, 2024!

4) All Buyers will be chosen through the Lottery (see timeline and more info here). All names shall be drawn and will be posted in the Lottery drawing results. Buyer will be contacted in order of the lottery drawing. Participation is expected to be high and there is a chance not all potential Buyers will be offered a home to purchase.

5) Buyer chooses a unit based on their availability. Once the selection is confirmed, Buyer will be contacted to complete the real estate purchase contract. If there are unforeseen delays, an amend/extend agreement to the purchase contract may be necessary.

6) Buyer completes mortgage process. Ouray Building Inspector makes final inspection and certification of occupancy for home is issued.

7) Buyer closes on the purchase of their home and signs all necessary Deed Restriction documents with their lender and Land Title.

8) Buyer moves-in and conducts a new homeowner walk through with Ouray Homes staff.

Evacuation Plan Update

Did you miss the Evacuation Plan Open House on May 13 in Ouray?

You can listen to the presentation or view it on our Emergency Management webpage.

Baldy Mountain Landscape Resiliency and Habitat Improvement Project - StoryMap

Learn more about work in Ouray County

The Baldy Mountain Landscape Resiliency and Habitat Improvement Project is a collaborative, cross-boundary forest restoration effort in Ouray County, Colorado.  

Community members can use this StoryMap to learn about the project goals, planned work, where work will occur, and see their property’s proximity to the project. 



This StoryMap was developed by the National Forest Foundation (NFF) in collaboration with project partners. Special thanks to NFF Conservation Connect Fellows, Jake Barker and Sophie Daudon.

See you at the Ridgway River Festival!

Ridgway River Festival (RiverFest) is a family-friendly celebration of the Uncompahgre River and our community with all-age river races, live music, local food and drink, kids’ activities, watershed educational and cultural programs. The highlight of the day is the infamous “Junk of the Unc” race in which boaters maneuver their craft, constructed from scrap materials not intended for river travel, through whitewater rapids and others’ junk, trying to keep it all intact for the 0.5 mile finish line.



RiverFest is produced by the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership, a Ouray County nonprofit watershed group dedicated to helping protect the economic, natural, and scenic values of the Upper Uncompahgre River Watershed.

Junc of the Unc at RiverFest!

Guidelines for the Junk of the Unc:

• Make your river-craft out of any recycled or repurposed materials (no actual boat materials or parts, nor inner tubes, please). Contact Tanya at tanya@uncompahgrewatershed.org if you have questions about the materials you plan to use.
• Be creative and scientific – originality, great design, floatability and resourcefulness are all important factors in performing well in the Junk of the Unc.
• Secure your parts and materials well so we don’t have trash falling off crafts and floating down the Uncompahgre River.
• Bring your river-craft to Rollans Park by 12 noon on Saturday, June 29. Race registration is from noon to 12:30 p.m. (the race is not until 2:30 so we can accept late registrations until 1:30 p.m.)
• The first six Junk registrants get $20 gift certificates from Ridgway Hardware.
• At 2:30 p.m., float on your own or have a few friends join you (there are no rules about the number of members on a Junk of the Unc team).
• Get your craft about 50 feet down the river, ahead of the pack or with the most grace or style, and you could win one of our four awards: Fastest Junk, Most Creative/Artistic Junk, Best Youth Competitor, and Junk with the Best Use of Repurposed Materials.
• Prize from RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service for the Best Use of Repurposed Materials and sweatshirts from Mountain Fever Shirts & Gifts for Best Youth Competitors

On the Road with Road & Bridge!



Upcoming Road Maintenance/

Closure Notice

When: June 10-13 & June 17-20

Time: 7AM-4PM Mon-Thurs

Road is open Fri-Sun

Project: Rebuilding 5 miles of County Road 8 (Forest Service Road 858)

Where: Owl Creek gravel pit to Sleeping Indian Lodge

Travel Impact: Throughout the project (7am-4pm Mon-Thurs), the road will be CLOSED and flaggers will be stationed at both ends.

Non-emergency / non-local traffic are encouraged to plan around these times.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE AND COOPERATION

PLEASE CALL WITH QUESTIONS: 970-626-5391

You can view our webpage for more details, including the Forest Service Closure Notice and Map

High Country Snow Removal Progress Report

as of June 4, 2024

Sheriff's Office Hosts Baseball Camp

June 26!

County Sheriffs of Colorado is excited to partner with Ouray and Montrose County Sheriff's Office to bring CSOC Youth Athletics to Montrose! Join us for a day focused on building baseball skills, growing relationships within the community, and engaging with law enforcement on an individual level. Players of all skill levels and from all baseball or softball organizations are welcome.

Members of local law enforcement including the Montrose and Ouray County Sheriff's Office will be on hand to assist in the festivities and engage with community members. Sign up now at the link below!

Who: Montrose/Ouray County area youth ages 8-12 years old 

When: June 26th, 2024, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (on site check in starts at 7:30 am) 

Where: Sunset Mesa Sports Complex, Montrose, CO 81401

Cost: This camp is being offered for free or on donation-based admission. Donations are not required, but all donations will allow CSOC to further the youth athletics program and continue to bring youth athletics to different counties around the state of Colorado.

Sign up today at: https://leagues.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1797260 

Drawdown Operations Completed at Crystal Reservoir - Area Closure Lifted

The GMUG National Forests’ Ouray Ranger District has announced the completion of drawdown operations at Crystal Reservoir. The area closure lifted at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 23. The closure was initially put in place as a precautionary measure to mitigate potential public safety concerns during the drawdown process.

Recent dam assessments revealed potential structural concerns and forest officials decided to temporarily close access to the dam and conduct a drawdown process to mitigate potential risks. With the drawdown process completed, dam and geotechnical engineers will perform a more detailed inspection in the coming weeks.

"We appreciate the public's cooperation and understanding during this critical period," said Dana Gardunio, Ouray District Ranger. "Public safety is always our top priority. Now that the drawdown is complete, we can move to the next step in the process."

“We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of the public during this critical period,” said Dana Gardunio, Ouray District Ranger. “Public safety is our top priority and our team, in conjunction with our state and local partners are working to address the situation as quickly as possible.”

Ongoing Construction Activities and Closures in the Ironton Area

Beginning the week of June 3, San Miguel Power Association (SMPA) will begin the first phase of operations for the Red Mountain Powerline Project. This multi-stage project will reconstruct approximately 4.5 miles of transmission line from the Red Mountain substation to the Idarado substation along Highway 550 south of Ouray.

Closures will be instituted in the following areas of operation for public safety: St. Germain area, Ironton Townsite, south side of National Forest System Road (NFSR) #895–Greyhound Mine road/Spirit Gulch road, and dispersed camping near NFSR #886–Corkscrew road and NFSR #884–Brown Mountain road.

Additionally, SMPA will conduct foot traffic control at National Forest System Trail (NFST) #250–Richmond trail, allowing hikers to travel through the area intermittently when safe.

SMPA has established a public information website https://www.smpa.com/red-mountain-electrical-reliability... to alert the public about ongoing activities in the area. Closure signs will be placed in the areas identified while work is occurring. The website and signage will be updated as operations progress.

Save the Date(s) and Stay up to Date with the

Master Plan Update!

The Ouray County Master Plan is a long-range guiding document that helps the County achieve its visions and goals. Since the last Master Plan was adopted in 1999, many things have changed. An update gives the County an opportunity to address these changes. 

June 25, 4:00 – 6:00pm Review all documents for 7/9 Town Hall

July 9, 2:00 – 8:00pm Town Hall at Ouray County Event Center

July 10, 4:00 – 6:00pm Town Hall follow up

July 23, 4:00 – 6:00pm Finalize Master Plan draft for possible DOLA review

View the Master Plan Website!

Ouray County

Weed of the Month:

Leafy spurge

In the Environment, Leafy spurge causes these effects:

• Extremely hard to eliminate once established

• Degrades habitat, biodiversity and water quality

• Forms dense monocultures

• Causes blisters for foraging animals

• Increases soil erosion

• Produces chemicals which inhibit the growth of other desirable plants

• Produces about 350 seeds per plant

• Reduces pasture or grassland productivity

• Toxic to cattle and horses

Ouray County Vegetation Control & Management urges all county residents to manage Leafy spurge infestations, with elimination in mind. Noxious weed control is a community effort!

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 

How to Identify Leafy spurge

• Yellow flowers surrounded by “heart shaped” bracts which look like petals.

• Leaves are bluish green, alternate, and lance shaped. Leaves are 1 to 2 inches long and become smaller

as they ascend the stem

• Reproduces by seed and roots. Roots are up to 17 feet deep and spread laterally 15 feet which makes it

impossible to pull by hand.

• Peak bud production May through July

• Multiple stems from root crown, erect and branched near top in “umbrella shape.”

• Seeds are spread through wind and animals; seeds explode from parent plant travelling 15 feet

• Has milky sap which damages eyes and skin, do not hand pull without gloves!

Ridgway 5th Grader Pens Wonderful Story of PeaceJam Earth Day Weed Pull with Ouray County Vegetation Management

Thank you, Julia!

COUNTY PROCLAMATIONS

Upcoming Events

Paint Drop-off and Giveaway Event

June 8

Noon-4PM

Rotary Park - Ouray

PaintCare is hosting a drop-off and giveaway event for Colorado households and businesses. Join at Rotary Park on June 8, between Noon–4 p.m.

Learn more at https://paint-ouray.eventbrite.com/?aff=cityofouray

Volunteers Needed for Ouray County Incident Management Team

Ouray County is seeking volunteers to be part of the Ouray County Incident Management Team.

An Incident Management Team (IMT) is a rostered group of ICS-trained personnel consisting of an Incident Commander, Command and General Staff, and personnel assigned to other key ICS positions. The level of training and experience of the IMT members, coupled with the identified formal response requirements and responsibilities of the IMT, are factors in determining “type,” or level, of IMT.

The Ouray County Incident Management Team (OCIMT) will be deployed during complex emergency incidents to provide initial response to provide a command and control infrastructure in order to manage the operational, logistical, informational, planning, fiscal, community, and safety issues associated with complex incidents. OCIMT is a type 4 team and has been developed to handle a complex incident for the first 72 hours until Mutual Aid or other assistance can arrive.

The OCIMT is comprised of County Employees and County Residents trained in specific areas of response. Those interested in becoming members of the OCIMT are reviewed by the OCIMT Review Committee comprised of the Ouray County Sheriff, Ouray County Undersheriff, Ouray County Emergency Medical Services Chief, and Ouray County Emergency Manager. The OCIMT review committee will make a recommendation to the Ouray County Sheriff who will make final decisions and appointments to the OCIMT.

If you are interested in volunteering for this team, please complete this application and reach out to Ouray County Deputy Emergency Manager, Tabitha, with questions.

Tchamplin@ourayco.gov

970-318-9615

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

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.

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!