Extras
Wildflower News
July 22nd, 2008
Wildflowers in Yankee Boy Basin are about a week to ten days out from peak ... there are a lot of buds up there and they should be "popping" soon!
Upcoming Events
June 2nd
San Juan Odyssey
July 21st
Colorado Touareg Rally
July 23rd
Quilt Show
July 23rd
rhythm of the dons
July 23rd
Hip Hop (ages 10+) in Ouray
Blog Headlines
Real Estate and Relocation
Tired of long commutes and freeway gridlock? If what you're seeking is a small town sense of community, a fabulous place to raise a family, a transition of the mind and heart, and spectacular mountain living, then Ouray may be the ideal choice for relocation. The town was ranked No. 14 on the 50 Best Places to Live list by Men's Journal magazine, 2002.
Ouray is located at an elevation of 7,760 feet nestled in the San Juan mountain range of southwest Colorado on State Hwy 550. Centered between Grand Junction, 98 miles north and Durango, 70 miles south, surrounded by National Forest, BLM and other public lands, this area has been a mountaineering mecca for generations of residents and visitors alike.
Ouray is a self-sufficient community with both city and county government located within the City itself, as well as a free public library, historical museum, public parks, the hot springs pool and fitness center, financial institutions, a number of churches, grocery, liquor, and supply stores, service stations, a theatre, book stores and gift shops, and a plethora of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and restaurants. On an average, 30% of Ouray's population walks to work. If you live outside of the city itself, the average travel time is less than fifteen minutes.
Communication includes the Ouray County Plaindealer/Ridgway Sun, KURA Radio, Qwest telephone service, Ouraynet & Qwest Communications High Speed Internet Service, U.S. Post Office, UPS, Federal Express, and excellent signal for satellite television.
Ouray County has 540.47 square miles of land area with 6.9 persons per square mile. In 2004, the estimated population for the City of Ouray was approximately 854. The County has a much greater population of 4,260 (2005), as it includes both towns of Ouray and Ridgway and valley residents in between.
Climate
Ouray averages 22.7 inches of annual precipitation with typically 138" of snowfall a year. With an average of 285 days of sunshine, most days are sunny and bright. Summer highs are rarely above 85 and lows are in the 50's. Winter highs are in the 40's with lows in the high-teens. The air is dry with low humidity.
Climate Data
Mean monthly temperature January, 25.9 degrees -- July, 64.7 degrees
Mean daily maximum temperature January, 37.0 degrees -- July, 78.4 degrees
Mean daily minimum temperature January, 14.9 degrees -- July, 51.1 degrees
Health Care
When it's minutes that count, you can trust our dedicated medical service professionals. Ouray County has its own skilled physicians and staff, highly trained volunteer emergency medical technicians, volunteer fire department and mountain rescue team. Mountain Medical Center and Ridgway pharmacy are located in Ouray County, 9 miles north of Ouray -Rocky Mountain HMO Health Plan is the primary provider for Western Colorado. For more advanced health care, Montrose Memorial Hospital and MMH Cancer Center are located 37 miles north of Ouray. St. Mary's, Community, and Veterans' hospitals are all located 100 miles north in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Ouray County Public Health Services
Immunizations, well-child checks, education, WIC, School nurse, handicapped children’s program, emergency preparedness coordinator. 970.325.4670
Mountain Medical Center
Located in Ridgway, the Mountain Medical Center was established to care for the needs of residents in the area, as well as visiting guests. The center serves as both a family care and urgent care center. They have an excellent staff of both doctors and nurses. 970.626.5123
Montrose Memorial Hospital
Montrose Memorial Hospital is a 75-bed local medical center. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Montrose Memorial Hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and staffed by highly trained and credentialed staff members with more than 55 physicians representing 20 medical specialties. 970.249.2211.
St. Mary's Hospital - Grand Junction
St. Mary’s Hospital & Regional Medical Center is the leading provider of many critical healthcare services in Western Colorado. Following is a list of services that distinguish this hospital from other facilities: Heart services, women’s & children’s services, cancer services, trauma services, neurosurgical services, an acute psychiatric unit and acute inpatient rehabilitation unit. 970.244.2273.
Community Hospital - Grand Junction
Community Hospital is a full-service 78-bed acute care facility. This hospital has a reputation for excelling in customer service and quality patient outcomes having received numerous awards recognizing their extraordinary quality of patient care. 970.242.0920.
Veteran's Medical Center - Grand Junction
Full-service establishment for all veterans disabled or honorably discharged; a government facility able to offer any type of care needed by a veteran. 970.242.0731
Employment
The region’s largest employers fall into the government, education, tourism sector and also the real estate and construction industries. Since the recent availability of wireless, high-speed internet, many individuals have moved to Ouray to conduct their business via the internet, far away from high- rises and honking horns and surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of the mountains.
Unemployment Rate
Ouray County (2003) 3.9%
Annual Average Wage
Ouray County (2001) $23,461
Ouray County (2002) $25,703
Ouray County (2003 $29,744
Population Statistics
In 2004:
Under the age of 15 - 20%
Under the age of 18 - 21%
65 years or older - 12.9%
Percent below poverty (2003) 7.6%
Unemployment Rate (2002) 4.1%
Housing
Housing units (2004) 2,511
Homeownership rate (2000) 73.4%
Median household income (2003) $45,435.00
Real Estate
The average number of homes available for sale in 2003 was 10 to 20 with an average sale price of $343,320 and a median price of $249,950. Average long-term rental rates vary from $600 for a one bedroom to $900 for three bedrooms. Commercial, retail and office retail space rentals: Retail- $0.95 to $1.25 per sq. ft/month; Office- $0.75 to $1.25 per sq. ft/month.
Average Sale Price of Single Family Detached Home
Ouray
2001 -- Avg Sale Price, $234,058 -- Median Price, $185,000
2002 -- Avg Sale Price, $232,307 -- Median Price, $190,000
2003--Avg Sale Price, $343,320--
Median Price, $249,950
Ouray County
2001 -- Avg Sale Price, $223,501 -- Median Price, $203,500
2002 -- Avg Sale Price, $237,230 -- Median Price, $200,000
2003--Avg Sale Price, $300,870--
Median Price $255,000
Education
Ouray offers an outstanding Pre-school and K-12 education. High academic performance ratings reflect the emphasis that the district places on educational standards. In addition, you can trust that the administration and staff are dedicated to providing a safe learning environment for their students. In 2004-2005, there were 278 students enrolled. Student per teacher ratios vary (elementary-high school) from seven to 13.9. High school class sizes range from 13 to 26. Graduation rates are 95% to 100%. Accountability rates are high. For more information regarding the Ouray School System, please visit www.state.co.us/schools.
Ouray Elementary School
400 Seventh Avenue, Ouray, CO 81427
970.325.4505
Principal: Tim Finkbeiner
Length of school year 163 days
Enrollment 95 students
Students per total staff -- 10.7
Student/teacher ratio-Grade 1 -- 9.9
Student/teacher ratio-Grade 2 -- 7.8
Student/teacher ratio-Grade 3 -- 10.7
Student/teacher ratio-Grade 4 -- 14.8
Overall academic performance -- High
Avg. Teacher Salary $37,584
Ouray Middle School
400 Seventh Avenue, Ouray, CO 81427
970.325.4505
Principal: Tim Finkbeiner
Length of school year 165 days
Enrollment 88 students
Students per total staff -- 11.2
Student/teacher ratio-Grade 5 -- 12.6
Student/teacher ratio-Grade 6 -- 12.0
Student/teacher ratio-Grade 7 -- 13.3
Student/teacher ratio-Grade 8 -- 13.9
Overall academic performance -- High
Avg. Teacher Salary $37,372
Ouray Senior High School
400 Seventh Avenue, Ouray, CO 81427
970.325.4218
Superintendent: Sandra Kern
Principal: Nick Schafer
Length of school year 167 days
Enrollment 61 students
Students per total staff -- 6.9
Student/teacher ratio-Grade 9 -- 9.7
Student/teacher ratio-Grade 10 -- 7.7
Student/teacher ratio-Grade 11 -- 4.8
Student/teacher ratio-Grade 12 -- 7.3
Overall academic performance -- High
Class sizes range from 13 to 26
Avg. Teacher Salary $38,566
Regional Advanced Education Opportunities:
- Mesa State College - 2 hour drive
- Mesa State College Extension Program-45 minute drive (North)
- Fort Lewis College - 2 hours drive (South)
- Western State College-2 hours drive (NE)
- Delta-Montrose Vocational - 1.5 hour drive (North)
Transportation
Airports
Montrose Airport is a commuter airport that is a 45-minute drive from Ouray. Airlines that fly into Montrose are United Express and America West. Continental Airlines does offer daily, direct flights from Houston and American Airlines offers direct flights during the winter months.
Telluride Airport has some direct flights during the winter months and is also more of a commuter airport during the summer months. America West and Great Lakes Airlines service this airport.
Grand Junction and Durango Airports are regional airports that are 2-hour driving distances from Ouray. Airlines that service one or both of these airports are United Express, Delta’s Skywest, America West Express and United’s Great Lakes.
Denver, Albuquerque, Salt Lake City and Colorado Springs are larger national and international airports that are all within 6 hours driving time.
Bus Service
Although there is no bus station in Ouray, TNM&O does serve this area and will stop for a drop-off or pick-up if previous arrangements have been made.
Government
Contact Information
City of Ouray Offices
City of Ouray
Ouray County Offices
Ouray County Government
Taxes
Income Tax
Colorado Corporate Tax -- 4.63
Colorado Personal Income Tax – 4.63
Sales Tax
State – 2.9%
County – 1.0%
City – 3.0%
Property Tax
Commercial Rate – 29.0%
Residential Rate – 7.96%
Ouray Retail Sales
1999 -- $22.0 M
2000 -- $25.6 M
2001 -- $23.0 M
2002 -- $22.5 M
2003 -- $23.9 M Est.
Ouray Sales Tax
1999 -- $554,352
2000 -- $567,781
2001 -- $579,781
2002 -- $544,381
2003 -- $609,992
2004-- $627,722
2005-- $630,495
2006-- $676,182
Utilities
Electricity
San Miguel Power
970.626.5549
Trash
Commercial--
Waste Management, Montrose
970.249.1699
Residential—City of Ouray
970.325.7211
Telephone
Qwest
Home Service – 1.800.244.1111
Business Service – 1.800.603.6000
Home Office Service – 1.800.898.9675
Propane
America-Gas, Montrose
970.249.4785
Home Town Propane
970.874.1517
All-Star Gas
970.252.8270
Natural Gas
Source Gas Distribution
970.249.3494
Water/Sewer
City of Ouray
970.325.7211
High Speed Internet
Ouraynet
Financial Institutions
Media Information
Newspaper
Ouray County Plaindealer/Ridgway Sun
Radio
KURA Radio