City E-Newsletter | October 2023
We are fast approaching our 150th, or our sesquicentennial [ ses-kwi-sen-ten-ee-uhl ]! Be on the lookout for more information about that special celebration.

Relive Ouray's history at the Ouray County Museum, voted by the Smithsonian as one of the "Best Small Museums in the West."

πŸ“Έ Photo from Ouray County Historical Society
You Are a ROCKSTAR!
It is with sincere appreciation and gratitude that the City of Ouray recognizes our rockstar volunteers as true friends to the City and its residents. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to you for the selfless services you have rendered, and continue to render, to the City. Thank you for uplifting our community!

FREE FOOD AND FUN, INCLUDING HORSESHOES, ROCK CLIMBING, AND S'MORES!

WHERE: Rotary Park
WHEN: Saturday, October 7 @ 3:00 pm.
WHAT: The Appreciation Party begins at 3:00 pm. The BBQ begins at 4:30 pm. Just bring yourself and your loved ones. We will provide fun, food, drinks, and dessert!

PLEASE HIT THE RSVP BUTTON BELOW.
Mayor Funk's City Council Recap
September 5th, 2023

Proclamation honoring Cindy McCord's long-time contribution to the Beautification Committee.

Consent Items:
  1. Approved Liquor License Renewal for Ouray Liquors LLC.
  2. Approved Special Event Permit for The Gray's Oktoberfest in Fellin Park on September 30, 2023.

Actions Taken:
  1. Approved the second reading of Ordinance 10 Series 2023, renewing and updating a franchise agreement with Black Hills Energy for the distribution of natural gas in the City of Ouray. This was a four-member vote since Mayor Funk again had to recuse himself due to Black Hills Energy being an advertiser on his radio station.
  2. Approved pursuing the hire of the addition of a Full-time Police Officer, with approximately $20k non-recurring cost, and $84k yearly initial recurring cost.
  3. Approved the appointment of Lou Hart to the Beautification Committee.

Discussions (No action taken):
  1. Mill levy explanation by staff with estimates for 2024 revenue projections.
  2. Possible mill levy reduction for one year, to be decided as council works on and approves a budget for 2024. This discussion item was requested by Kathy Elmont.
  3. Possible housing stipend for non-exempt city employees who live in the city, to be decided as council works on and approves a budget for 2024. This discussion item was requested by John Hart.
  4. Paving the Hot Springs Pool parking lot: discussed possible phases and how they might fit into a long-term plan. Action on possible first phase, drainage work, will be decided as council works on, and approves, a budget for 2024.
  5. Continuation of Waterview PUD discussion from last week's work session, during which we ran out of time to finish the deed restriction discussion. Primary additional change suggested during this discussion was regarding limiting the right of first refusal language to cover units originally purchased by an institution and clarification of how restrictions can change in the future. Increasing the annual appreciation limit was discussed, but not well embraced by the majority of council or the applicant.

September 18th, 2023

Consent Items:
  1. Approved Liquor License Renewal for Thai Chili Ouray.

Actions Taken:
  • None.

Discussions (No action taken):
  1. City Volunteer Appreciation BBQ is set for Saturday, October 7th at 3 pm in Rotary Park.
  2. Discussion of what a possible local summer-time bus program for the City might look like so costs can be explored as council starts working on the 2024 budget.
  3. John Wood reports on the state Proposition 123 opt-in procedures. Deadline of November 1st to qualify for the first funding cycle.
  4. Selected possible date and location for City to host Tri-agency dinner (City, Town, and County officials) November 16th at 5:30, Colorado Boy Southwest.
Sad News: Telluride Black Bear Euthanized on September 9th, 2023
Colorado Parks and Wildlife humanely euthanized a sick male black bear Saturday night in Telluride. The bear, which weighed an estimated 400 pounds, showed signs of infection and was suffering from a severe intestinal blockage caused by consumed human trash.

β€œThe bear could not digest food and was very sick,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Rachel Sralla. β€œIt all comes back to trash, which we talk about too often when it comes to bear conflicts in Colorado. The reason we had to put this bear down was to end its suffering that was caused by eating indigestible trash.”

CPW received a report of a sick or injured bear near the river trail in Telluride in the early afternoon of Sept. 9. CPW officers observed the bear and were assisted by Telluride Marshal's officers in keeping the bear from getting close to people wading in the river.

The bear acted feverish and had puffy eyes and discharge coming from its eyes and mouth. CPW officers also determined it likely had severe abdominal pain based on their observations and from a video supplied by a resident of the building the bear was near. The bear displayed a humped position while walking and was reluctant to move.
The bear was well known in the Telluride area and had been hazed away from public spaces by law enforcement in the past. It was also believed to be the same bear involved in a home entry earlier in the summer.

Previously, the bear did respond to hazing measures. However, the bear did not respond to hazing techniques when CPW officers confronted the bear Sept. 9. The bear also bluff-charged a CPW officer.

Based on the behavior and condition of the bear, CPW made the decision to euthanize the animal for human health and safety reasons as well as to prevent the bear from further suffering. The bear was killed the evening of Sept. 9.

πŸ“Έ A photo shows wipes removed from the stomach of a black bear euthanized Sept. 9 in Telluride. The wipes, along with other trash, caused a severe intestinal blockage that prevented the bear from digesting food.

To read the full article from www.telluride-co.gov please follow this link.
FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for Oct. 4, 2023
Test Messages Will be Sent to All TVs, Radios and Cell Phones

WASHINGTON – FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall.

All wireless phones should receive the message only once. The following can be expected from the nationwide WEA test:
  • Beginning at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message.
  • For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: β€œTHIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”
  • Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: β€œESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita acciΓ³n.”

Important information about the EAS test:
  • The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers.
  • The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: β€œThis is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.

To read the full article from www.fema.gov please follow this link.
β€Œ
β€Œ
Wastewater Treatment Plant
There has been a lot of work completed in the past year on the new Wastewater Treatment Plant. Foundations and concrete slabs have been poured while masons have started to lay the block walls for the building. Equipment for the plant has been ordered and the contractor continues to make progress. The goal is to have the new plant operational by June 2024.
πŸ“Έ Aerial shots of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Photos courtesy of Joe Coleman.
October 19th 2022
August 29th 2023
Move Over, it's the law
Colorado is enhancing its Move Over law to provide greater protection for people and their vehicles on the side of the road. This significant change goes beyond just safeguarding police and emergency responders; it now requires drivers to also move over when passing disabled vehicles on the side of the road.

Earlier this year, Gov. Jared Polis signed into law HB23-1123, requiring drivers to move over a lane whenever they encounter any stationary vehicle on a highway with its hazards flashing β€” and if they can't move over, they must slow down to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit. The new protections come as 2022 marked the deadliest year on Colorado roads on record. For more information on HB23-1123, click here.

While all states have a Move Over law to protect emergency responders, Colorado joins nineteen other states that provide protections to all disabled vehicles. With this change, Colorado's Move Over laws are now among the nation's strongest.

The penalty for failing to move over or slow down for a disabled vehicle includes a Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense, with a possible fine of $150 and a 3-point license violation.

You can learn more about this on CDOT's website.
CURRENT JOB OPENINGS
Click the photo to see more information!
Interested in helping? Use the Staff Directory Email Contact Form to select the Contact Name "Police - Safe Schools" and send your notice of interest for this program.
Interested in helping? Use the Staff Directory Email Contact Form to select the Contact Name "Police - Safe Neighborhoods" and send your notice of interest for this program.
New visuals have been added to the Police Blotter webpage to provide quick breakdowns of monthly service calls. Click on either image to view the updated City of Ouray Police Department Blotter page.
♨️ OURAY HOT SPRINGS ♨️
Hot Springs Fall Hours

Public Pool Hours
Monday - Friday | 12 pm – 9 pm

Saturday & Sunday | 11 am – 9 pm

Member Pool Hours
Monday - Friday | 11 am – 12 pm

Saturday & Sunday | 10 am – 11 am

*Must have a VALID 3 or 12-month membership to enter during Members Only times

Polar Bears and Ice Cubes
Mon, Wed, & Fri: Please Call for Times 970.325.7073

Lap swimming is available every day.

Please check this page, Facebook, and our Instagram pages for updates.
Meet Olivia Coe, Assistant Pool Manager
Olivia Coe is a Western Colorado girl. She has lived in the area since she was 5 years old. Some of her fondest childhood memories include time spent at the Ouray Hot Springs pool.

In her adult life, she has spent many hours climbing on the rocks above the pool and ice climbing in the ice park at the end of town. She has worked most of her life in recreation and management and is ecstatic to bring her knowledge and skills to the Ouray Hot Springs Pool.
We will be sending out emails one to two times a month that will have information in regard to public meetings, collaboration opportunities, grant opportunities, Visitor Center updates, and so much more. If you want to stay connected, please click below!
CLICK HERE for a copy of Business Tips & Tools presentation.
πŸ‘πŸŒŸ Shoutout to Kailey Rhoten, Tourism and Destination Marketing Director
Governor’s Award for Rising Tourism Star
Recognizes an individual who is new to the tourism industry – within the last five years – and has shown leadership, commitment and a passion for Colorado’s tourism industry. This year's finalists are:

  • Marshall Floyd, Visitor and Conference Services Manager, Visit Fort Collins 
  • Kailey Rhoten, Tourism and Destination Marketing Director, City of Ouray 
  • Weylin Ryan Sustainability and Policy Manager, Visit Durango 

For more information about this award please follow this link:
πŸ“† *Upcoming Events


*ORANGE is a clickable link with more information. Events are subject to change. Check calendars or verify with the host. The calendars are listed below.
Want to know what else is happening? Check out these calendars below! ⬇️
City Events & Meetings
The City of Ouray provides a public-facing calendar of events the city is hosting or helping with, along with upcoming meetings, as well as holidays that close the offices. These events are also on the Alpenglow calendar.

This calendar is on our website homepage located below "About Ouray".

Click on the picture to check it out.
ο»Ώ
Managed By:
Autumn Bailey
Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator
C | 970.318.6788
Check Out the Ouray Community Calendar
This comprehensive calendar provides information about special events, organizational meetings, restaurant specials, upcoming shows, business specials, and much, much more happening in Ouray County!

Click on the picture to check it out.
Check the upcoming events listed above or click the link to see what's going on.
Protecting and improving the upper Uncompahgre River Watershed.
Donate β€’ Volunteer β€’ Subscribe
It's Trick or Treat Main Street Time!
The poster below includes logos and information from last year. If your logo or information is incorrect, or if your registered business is participating in this event and you would like your logo added to the poster please email it to:

Autumn Bailey
Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator
Time to Plan the Ouray Yule Celebration!
The loose plan:

December 2 = Tree Lighting and Bonfire (+other store specials and activities)

December 9 = Photos with Santa in Fellin Park AND MAYBE Snow Sculpture Contest (+other store specials and activities)

December 16 = Jeep Raffle, Dancers, *Holiday Window Decor Winners, and Holiday Parade (+other store specials and activities)

The schedule below is from 2022. Changes will be made for 2023 as planning progresses.

Contact me if you want to join the planning discussion or share your business specials for promotion. Info at the bottom of this section.
Send me your business logo if you are participating (make sure you're a registered business!)
Let's make this month amazing!

Have a Magical Day!

*2023 sponsors needed for prizes. Please contact Autumn if you would like to donate and sponsor any of the prizes or raffles:

Autumn Bailey
Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator
C | 970.318.6788
Tell us what you think!
Office: 320 6th Ave,
Ouray, CO 81427
Phone: 970-325-7211