The Ouray Ice Park has made an international name for itself during its 27-year history. Despite its global cache, the Ouray Ice Park is a free, public park that is home to more than 150 named ice and mixed climbs, spanning almost 2 miles of the Uncompahgre Gorge. The park saw 24,000 visitors last winter and is the backbone of Ouray’s winter economy.

In the early 1990s, Ouray locals pioneered the concept of “ice farming” in the Uncompahgre Gorge for recreational climbing. After a few years of trial and error, which involved running hoses up the gorge, bringing frozen hoses down the gorge to de-thaw in hot tubs, and then back up the gorge again, the concept of ice farming took off. The success of ice farming led to the official establishment Ouray Ice Park Inc. in 1997.

The Ice Park farms its ice walls using overflow water from the City of Ouray storage tanks. However, climate change and economic growth in the region, plus the Park’s terrain expansion, have put a squeeze on Ouray’s overflow water and there is no longer enough water to adequately farm ice. This shortage spurred the Ice Park to begin looking for a long-term solution that would ensure water independence from the City of Ouray.

In 2022, the Ouray Silver Mine granted the Ice Park non-consumptive, restrictive water rights that can only be used from November to March and only used to farm ice in the Ice Park. The water is stored as ice in the winter and then returns to Canon Creek and the Uncompahgre River in the spring. These water rights will give the Ouray Ice Park access to five times the amount of water it had previously.

Given the increase in volume, with the transfer of water rights, the Ouray Ice Park needed to invest in new ice farming infrastructure. The organization launched the Our Water Our Future capital campaign. The $1.4 million campaign supported the purchase, buildout, and installation of new ice farming equipment.  

Our Community Foundation supported the Our Water Our Future campaign with a $25,000 challenge match that inspired individual climbers to contribute more than $48,000. Much of the new infrastructure is already installed, with final improvements scheduled for summer of 2023. For more information on the Ouray Ice Park, visit their website here.  

The Colorado River Fire Rescue district (CRFR), which serves communities from New Castle to Rifle, is the only full-time, year-round Wildlands Fire Division in the state. One of the main focuses of the Wildlands Division is wildfire mitigation efforts. CRFR’s Wildlands Division works collaboratively with local governments, state departments and federal land management agencies to identify, map, and reduce fuel loads in critical areas throughout the watershed in order to prevent catastrophic wildfires.

At the end of 2022, our Community Foundation provided funding that supported the purchase of new trailer that now allows the Division to expedite projects and more quickly remove fuel loads that have been thinned. Local governments within the region then use the chipped material for playgrounds, community gardens, and other landscaping needs. Before the purchase of the new trailer, the Wildlands Division had to schedule use of a trailer through other government entities. The trailer has already been busy with mitigation projects this spring. 

Last June our CORE Giving Circle visited the Dolores River Canyon to learn about the history of the canyon and the threats facing the region along with the organizations working to protect this internationally unique landscape. Efforts of conservation groups, including the locally-based Colorado Wildlands Project, have resulted in legislative proposals that establish a new conservation areas on the upper section of river.

A new documentary film highlights the challenges facing the Dolores. The River of Sorrows, follows two pack-rafters down the near-dry river as they navigate complex issues facing the river and surrounding landscape. The River of Sorrows is showing on May 24^th at The Mesa Theater, with additional screenings throughout western Colorado later this spring. Learn more about the film and find a screening near you here. 

Earlier this spring, the Colorado Sun highlighted the coordinated efforts happening throughout the Dolores watershed and into Utah to facilitate even larger protection than what is currently being proposed. Read Jason Blevins’ reporting here.      

Grand Mesa Nordic Council Bringing Amenities to Trail System

The Grand Mesa Nordic Council (GMNC) has a big vision for the winter sports community in western Colorado. Last year, GMNC was one of our Community Foundation’s Dreaming Forward grant recipients, receiving funding to support a significant technology upgrade that allowed the organization to modernize its event registration platform along with critical features that support real time input for trail conditions and grooming reports.

Now that it’s through a technology conversion, GMNC is moving ahead on building its first permanent structure. The Skyway Cabin, located at the Skyway trailhead, will serve as a warming hut, community gathering place and a basecamp for races, lessons and youth programs. The building is designed with a solar energy system that will fully support the building along with GMNC’s electric grooming equipment. GMNC has worked closely with the US Forest Service to plan and permit the building. Ground breaking is scheduled for mid-summer, or once the snow has fully melted. GMNC is hopeful to have the warming hut open for the upcoming season. To learn more about the project, email Christie at Christie@gmnc.org