Ouray County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Ouray County agenda roundup: 2027 budget, city law enforcement draft agreement and Elk Meadows parcel hearings

Ouray County commissioners met four times in the past two weeks on agendas covering the 2027 budget, a draft agreement for the County to provide law enforcement services for the City of Ouray beginning in 2027, and land-use matters in the Elk Meadows subdivision. Minutes have not been published for any of the four meetings, so no votes, outcomes or final figures are available. Everything below is drawn from the posted agendas.

2027 budget work continues

Commissioners held a budget work session on Oct. 6 that included a presentation from the Sheriff's Office and general 2027 budget discussion. Work sessions are deliberative; the agenda states no formal action is taken, though commissioners may give direction to staff.

On Oct. 13 the Board was scheduled to present the 2027 preliminary budget and request authorization to publish the notice of budget. The same agenda lists Resolution 2026-025, a voluntary salary reduction for Commissioner Padgett for the 2027 Budget.

A second work session on Oct. 14 included a budget discussion for Ridgway Fire & EMS. No formal action was scheduled.

County-city law enforcement agreement

The Board of County Commissioners and Ouray City Council held a joint work session on Oct. 5 on a draft Intergovernmental Agreement under which the County would provide full law enforcement services for the City beginning Jan. 1, 2027. An Exhibit A compensation schedule is attached to the draft. The agenda included presentations, questions, public comment and deliberations. Public comment was scheduled for 5:00-5:30 PM, with written comment accepted until 3:00 PM the day before. The meeting was held at the Ouray Community Center, 320 6th Ave, Ouray, CO, with a Zoom option. Because it was a work session, no formal action was taken, though commissioners may give direction to staff.

The Intergovernmental Agreement for Full Law Enforcement Services between Ouray County and the City of Ouray also appears on the Oct. 13 agenda.

Land use: Elk Meadows parcels and a Colona restaurant

The Oct. 13 agenda lists two public hearings: a variance to combine 29 parcels into a single parcel, and lot merger/combinations in the Elk Meadows subdivision. It also lists Resolution 2026-024, a Special Use Permit amendment for a restaurant at 35 Hotchkiss Avenue in Colona.

Land Use fee schedule updates were scheduled for discussion at the Oct. 14 work session.

Other agenda items

The Oct. 14 work session also listed the Ouray County Home Trust Housing Services Administrator quarterly report, the Colorado River District annual update, and County Manager performance feedback.

What the record does not show

The supplied agendas do not include vote tallies, dollar amounts or adopted outcomes for any of these items. The Oct. 13 resolutions and the law enforcement agreement appear as agenda items; the record provided does not establish that they were approved. Readers should consult the official minutes once posted.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings were listed in the data provided for the next 14 days. Residents who want to attend or comment should check the County's posted agendas and meeting notices for dates, locations and deadlines for written comment.

Public comment rules noted in the agendas: written comment is accepted until 3:00 PM the day before a meeting, and meetings are held at the Ouray County Courthouse, 541 4th Street, Ouray, CO, or by Zoom unless otherwise noted.

Ouray County budget and law enforcement IGA lead agendas; recent work sessions produce no formal action

Ouray County commissioners spent the past two weeks in work sessions on the 2027 budget and a draft law enforcement agreement. The agendas for all three sessions state that work sessions are deliberative and that no formal action is taken, though commissioners may give direction to staff. Minutes for those meetings have not yet been published, so the supplied records contain no votes and no dollar figures.

The next scheduled meeting, on Oct. 13, includes a presentation of the 2027 preliminary budget and a request for authorization to publish the notice of budget.

2027 budget: three sessions, no votes

The Board of County Commissioners opened budget season with an all-day work session on Sept. 29. Department presentations began at 09:00 with the Assessor, Land Use, Clerk and Recorder, Treasurer, and IT/GIS, and resumed at 01:30 with EMS, Road and Bridge, Public Health, and Human Services. The day closed with a BOCC discussion and recap with the County Manager and Finance Director on next steps for preliminary budget preparation.

A second budget work session on Oct. 6 focused on a presentation from the Sheriff's Office and general 2027 budget discussion. That meeting was held in person at 541 4th Street, Ouray, CO, with a Zoom option.

Written public comment for both sessions was accepted until 3:00PM the day before the meeting.

County-city law enforcement agreement

On Oct. 5, the Board of County Commissioners and the Ouray City Council held a joint work session on a draft Intergovernmental Agreement under which the County would provide full law enforcement services for the City beginning January 1, 2027. The agenda included the draft IGA and an attached Exhibit A compensation schedule, presentations, questions, public comment from 5:00 to 5:30 PM, and deliberations. The meeting was held at the Ouray Community Center, 320 6th Ave, Ouray, CO, with a Zoom option.

The IGA appears again on the Oct. 13 agenda.

On the Oct. 13 agenda

The Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to take up:

• Presentation of the 2027 preliminary budget and a request for authorization to publish the notice of budget
• Resolution 2026-024: Special Use Permit amendment for a restaurant at 35 Hotchkiss Avenue in Colona
• Resolution 2026-025: Voluntary salary reduction for Commissioner Padgett for the 2027 Budget
• Intergovernmental Agreement for Full Law Enforcement Services between Ouray County and the City of Ouray
• Public hearing for a variance to combine 29 parcels into a single parcel
• Public hearing for lot merger/combinations in the Elk Meadows subdivision

These are agenda items. The supplied records do not show outcomes for any of them.

Oct. 14 work session

A work session the following day is scheduled to cover land use fee schedule updates, a Ridgway Fire & EMS budget discussion, the Ouray County Home Trust Housing Services Administrator quarterly report, the Colorado River District annual update, and County Manager performance feedback. No formal action will be taken during this session.

Coming up

• **Oct. 13 — Board of County Commissioners:** 2027 preliminary budget presentation and request to publish the notice of budget; resolutions on a Colona restaurant special use permit and a commissioner salary reduction; the county-city law enforcement IGA; and public hearings on combining 29 parcels and on Elk Meadows lot mergers.
• **Oct. 14 — Board of County Commissioners work session:** land use fee schedule updates, Ridgway Fire & EMS budget discussion, housing services quarterly report, Colorado River District annual update, and County Manager performance feedback.

Ouray County board to weigh wildfire code, disaster recovery tax

The Ouray County Board of County Commissioners held three meetings in the past two weeks, but minutes have not yet been published, so no official decisions are recorded. The board is scheduled to consider adoption of wildfire and energy codes, selection of a contractor for an emergency watershed project, and a potential sales tax measure to reimburse the Disaster Fund.

Aug. 11 regular meeting

The board's regular meeting included public hearings on two proposed resolutions: Resolution 2026-017, adopting the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, and Resolution 2026-018, adopting the 2024 Colorado Model Low Energy and Carbon Code, which would replace the 2018 IECC. The agenda also listed several consent and general business items, including election services, a preliminary and final development plan for the Cimarron Ridge Subdivision (PUD), a special event permit for a Toyota Sequoia filming event on August 20-21, 2026, and ratification of an Emergency Watershed Protection Program grant and an agreement with KLJ Engineering. The meeting included a Board of Health session for public health grant agreements and a Road and Bridge update.

August 11 work session

In a separate work session, the board discussed two potential ballot measures: a sales tax for disaster recovery and resilience, and a use tax for road and bridge funding. No formal action was taken, but the board could give direction to staff for future action.

August 17 special meeting

The board met in special session to review and discuss contractor selection for the Emergency Watershed Protection project. The agenda included a procurement recommendation, an exception to the county's procurement policy, and authorization for the county manager to negotiate and sign a construction contract based on RFQ responses and NRCS sole source authorization. Action could be taken on any or all of these items.

Coming up: August 25 regular meeting

The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for August 25. Key items include a discussion of Resolution 2026-019, a proposed sales tax to reimburse the Disaster Fund; a construction use tax update from the county manager; a third renewal of the emergency disaster declaration; a 2026 agreement with Haynes Excavation Inc. for Emergency Watershed Protection services; and the reappointment of Steve Duce to the Dallas Park Cemetery Board. The board may also consider a presidential declaration support letter, appointments, and several financial reports.

Ouray County officials discuss housing, flooding, and ballot measures; no decisions recorded

Ouray County commissioners met four times in the past week, but no formal votes were recorded. The sessions covered a housing grant application, a second extension of an emergency disaster declaration, a potential ballot measure for road funding, and flash flooding in the Cutler Creek area. Upcoming meetings will consider adopting new wildfire and energy codes.

Recent meetings

July 28 regular meeting

The Board of County Commissioners reviewed several items on its agenda, including Resolution 2026-014 for a Colorado Department of Local Affairs Housing Planning Grant, approval of a second extension of the Emergency Disaster Declaration, a special event permit for the Imogene Pass Run on September 12, 2026, an agreement for SRI Tax Sale Internet Auction Services, and a CDPHE FY27 Immunization Contract Amendment for the Board of Health. Minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

July 28 work session

A work session was held for a Board of Equalization hearing for Chad Baillie (R001464). The session included a review of an assessor's packet. No action was recorded.

July 29 work session

Commissioners discussed a potential ballot measure for a vehicle and construction materials use tax for roads and bridges, as well as additional ballot measures such as disaster recovery. They also reviewed timelines and content requirements. No formal action was taken; the session was for staff direction and deliberation.

July 30 special meeting

An emergency virtual meeting was held to discuss flash flooding, specifically in the Cutler Creek area and other impacts. The session was an emergency policy group discussion.

Coming up

August 11 regular meeting

The Board of County Commissioners will hold public hearings on two resolutions: Resolution 2026-017 adopting the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, and Resolution 2026-018 adopting the 2024 Colorado Model Low Energy and Carbon Code, which would replace the 2018 IECC. The agenda also includes a preliminary and final development plan for the Cimarron Ridge Subdivision (PUD), a special event permit for a Toyota Sequoia filming event on August 20-21, 2026, and ratification of an Emergency Watershed Protection Program grant and KLJ Engineering agreement. A Board of Health session and a Road and Bridge update are also scheduled.

August 11 work session

A work session will discuss two potential ballot measures: a sales tax for disaster recovery and resilience, and a use tax for road and bridge funding. No formal action is expected, but the board may give direction to staff for future action.

All meeting agendas and minutes are available through the county's official channels.

Ouray County commissioners weigh housing grant, disaster extension, and road tax ballot measure

Ouray County's Board of County Commissioners held a packed week of meetings from July 28 through July 30, covering topics from a state housing planning grant to flash flooding response. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions, so it is not yet possible to confirm which items were formally decided versus merely discussed. The summaries below reflect what was on each agenda.

Housing grant and disaster declaration on July 28 agenda

The Board of County Commissioners scheduled review of several grant applications and administrative agreements for its July 28 regular meeting. Agenda items included:

• **Resolution 2026-014** for a Colorado Department of Local Affairs Housing Planning Grant.
• Approval and authorization of an **Emergency Disaster Declaration — Second Extension**.
• A **Special Event Permit and Agreement (SEPA)** for the Imogene Pass Run on September 12, 2026.
• An **SRI Tax Sale Internet Auction Services Agreement** for 2026.
• A **CDPHE FY27 Immunization Contract Amendment** for the Board of Health.

Because minutes are not yet available, the outcome of each item — including any vote tallies — cannot be confirmed from the record.

Board of Equalization hearing

A separate commissioners work session on July 28 was set to include a Board of Equalization hearing for Chad Baillie (R001464), with a review of an assessor's packet. No minutes have been published, so no determination is on record yet.

Road and bridge tax ballot measure discussed

On July 29, commissioners held a work session to recap prior discussions on a potential ballot measure for a vehicle and construction materials use tax for roads and bridges. The agenda also listed discussion of additional ballot measures, such as disaster recovery, and a review of upcoming timelines and content requirements for ballot content. The agenda noted that no formal action was to be taken; the session was for staff direction and deliberation. Commissioner and administrative reports were also scheduled.

Emergency meeting on flash flooding

On July 30, the commissioners convened a virtual special meeting for an emergency policy group session. The discussion focused on flash flooding, specifically mentioning the Cutler Creek area and other impacts. Minutes are not yet published, so any actions taken during the emergency session are not confirmed in the available record.

What residents should know

Several of these items could affect county finances and services if formally adopted — including a state housing planning grant, an extended disaster declaration, and a possible ballot question on road and bridge funding. Residents seeking confirmed outcomes should watch for the publication of meeting minutes on the county's official channels, which serve as the authoritative record.

Coming up

No upcoming public meetings are listed for the next 14 days, according to the agendas provided. Residents should check the Ouray County official website for any newly scheduled or special meetings.

Ouray County commissioners held series of special meetings on Gold Mountain Fire response; minutes not yet published

Ouray County's Board of County Commissioners spent the past two weeks focused almost entirely on the Gold Mountain Fire, holding four special meetings between July 6 and July 10 to discuss response, recovery, and emergency funding. A regular meeting on July 14 and a work session on July 15 rounded out the schedule with a planned unit development hearing, affordable housing support, and a presentation on wildfire regulations.

Important note: Minutes have not yet been published for any of these meetings. The information below reflects what was on each agenda; outcomes and vote tallies are not yet available in the public record.

Gold Mountain Fire response and recovery

The board scheduled four consecutive special meetings tied to the Gold Mountain Fire:

• **July 6:** An update on the fire and potential response action, a wildlife update from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and a policy group discussion. Public comments were accepted via email until 9:00 AM.
• **July 7:** A work session on flash flood emergency planning and mitigation, including road closures and evacuation plans for the Highway 550 corridor. The agenda also listed discussion of USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Emergency Watershed Program mitigation assistance.
• **July 8:** Another fire update, with the board scheduled to consider ratifying the Chair's signature on an Assumption of Fire Control Duty Form. An executive session for legal advice on agenda items was listed.
• **July 10:** A closed executive session under C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(b) and (e) for legal advice and negotiations on the financial response to the fire. Topics listed included emergency TABOR reserves, other emergency funding measures, Fire Management Assistance Grant utilizations, and negotiations for a long-term recovery manager. No other public business was on the agenda.

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which of these items resulted in formal action.

July 14 regular meeting: Cimarron Ridge PUD, housing, payments

The July 14 agenda included several items of interest to residents:

• A **public hearing** on a combined Preliminary/Final Development Plan for the Cimarron Ridge Planned Unit Development on Tract 1, Loghill Crest.
• Consideration of a **support letter** to the Montrose County Housing Authority for the River Walk Affordable Rentals Project.
• Consideration of a **cooperative law enforcement operating plan** between the Ouray County Sheriff's Office and the US Forest Service GMUG.
• Approval of a **payment to Floyd Enterprises, LLC** for mechanical rock removal on Engineer Pass - Mineral Creek.
• A **position request** for a Recovery Manager.
• The board was scheduled to convene as the Local Licensing Authority to renew a retail liquor license for Cornerstone Club F&B Services LLC.
• A Gold Mountain Fire update and an executive session for litigation updates were also listed.

Dollar amounts for the Floyd Enterprises payment were not included in the agenda summary. Vote outcomes are not available pending minutes.

July 15 work session: wildfire regulations, housing report

No formal actions were scheduled for the July 15 work session. The agenda listed:

• A quarterly report from Housing Services Administrator Eva Henson.
• A presentation on wildfire regulations by Planning Director Mark Castrodale.
• A Gold Mountain Fire Recovery update.
• Commissioner and administrative reports.

The session was designated for discussion and direction only.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents should check the Ouray County website for any newly scheduled special meetings, particularly regarding continued Gold Mountain Fire recovery efforts.