**Disclaimer: The Chamber Chat is a courtesy service.  Our goal is to be short and readable with pass-along information and reminders requested from members. This service is being provided in lieu of forwarding e-mails directly to you. Thank you for reading our chat!

IN THIS ISSUE: 

• US 550 night closure- Closure of US 550 ?Sunday - Thursday nights 8 p.m. - 6 a.m., from August 15 to mid-September- details below updated as of 08/19/2010
  
• Cardboard Recycling For Businesses- info
  
• Aug 28 is packed full of activities!
  
• Son's of the Addicted will head line Grillin and Chillin!
  
• Fall Fly Fishing Conditions
  
• Business After Hours to begin soon!
  
• Jeep Jamboree dates: Sept 18-20
  
• Chief Ouray Gun Show- OCT 2 &3
  
• Links to members
  
• Updated OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS contact list- updated 08/13/2010
  
• Feature:
  
  
  

    Seasonal Closures/Hours: Please send us your updates!

    Activities:

    The Ouray County Ranch History Museum will be open from 1-5 pm every     Sunday afternoon through Sept. 26, after which it will be closed for the winter.

    Lodges:

    Box Canyon Lodge- open 365 days per year, Lobby hours 7:30am to 10:00pm

    Retail:

    Ouray Glass- open all winter, pretty much everyday

Rigs Fly Shop and Guide Service- fall hours 8-6 7 days a week thru labor day and   then - closed on Sundays.

For an updated CALENDER OF EVENTS,

please see www.OurayColorado.com

US 550 BEAR CREEK BRIDGE NIGHT WORK BEGINS FULL CLOSURES EXPECTED

 8/19/2010: Last Friday ACC announced the beginning of full closures of US 550 at Bear Creek Bridge, Sunday ? Thursday from 8 p.m. ? 6 a.m.   These closures are intermittent and depend greatly on the weather.   Going forward please look for a brief email alert if we intend to keep the road open on a previously scheduled closure night.  As noted below, US 550 will remain open now until Sunday night.

******
From Ouray you will be able to drive up until the amphitheatre. Any point beyond that will not be accessible, including the overlook, during these nightly closures. Please note, however, the full closure is only from 8 p.m. - 6 a.m. The overlook, however, is closed full time until late October. If you wish to drive from Silverton to Ironton you will be able to make that drive during the road closure.

As for the shut down, it is a shutdown for the winter is of the project not the highway.

 Commuters and community members are encouraged to sign up for regular electronic updates by enrolling at
BearCreekBridge@accbuilt.com
or calling the project hotline at 970-325-9892.  You may also visit the CDOT website at  http://www.Coloradodot.info/projects/550bearcreekbridge.For information on other CDOT projects statewide visit www.cotrip.org or call 511. Thank you for going Slow for the Cone Zone!

Cardboard Recycling For Businesses- info

Regarding the new cardboard dumpsters for businesses,
 it is located on Oak St/ River Road just past the City Shop
going north into the big fenced-in area.
It is open 7am to 3:30 pm Mon- Fri.

Fee arrangements have yet to be determined.

This is a CDC project. __________________________________________________________________

Aug 28-

Mnt. Sneffles Marathon

Grillin' Chillin' Brewfest

Highgraders Holiday

Vignettes of History

AND more!

See OurayColoardo.com for more listings and for details.

Grillin Chill featuring: Local Bands! Son's of the Addicated, Ophir Goats and Last Bus.

Fall Fly Fishing conditions for SW Colorado

For any one thinking about fly fishing SW Colorado this Fall...  conditions are going to be exceptional! With the changing of the seasons, weather a little cooler and river flows a little lower, the trout are starting to bulk up for the coming winter - its "fish on" for the next 6 weeks!  There is no better time to fish the region for quality Rainbow, Brown and Cutthroat trout. So time to grab your gear and head to Ridgway for a remarkable Guided Fly Fishing Adventure. 

BAH to begin soon! Sign up now to be a host! Jan, Feb, March and April are still available.

Jeep Jamboree dates: Sept 18-20- 22^nd Annual ? expect the jeeps and their drivers to visit us then.

Chief Ouray Gun Show to be hosted Oct 2 & 3 at the 4 H Center in Ridgway, Colorado.

Admission is $5 or $8 for a two day pass. 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Event is open Sat. Oct. 2 9am- 5pm and Sun. Oct. 3 9am -3pm. Food available during he show. Enjoy the fall Colorado and the gun show in one trip! For more details please contact- 4H Director: Rod Hodge 970.325.9908 hodger@q.com.

Seasonal changes: Closures and change of hours:

Restaurants:

Four Corners Cafe at Chipeta Sun Lodge in Ridgway
will be closing for the season on Monday Sept 6, Labor Day

Recreation:

San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours will operate until Nov. 1.
___________________________________________________________________

*Disclaimer: The Chamber Chat is a courtesy service.  Our goal is to be short and readable with pass-along information and reminders requested from members. This service is being provided in lieu of forwarding e-mails directly to you. Thank you for reading our chat!

Welcome Lezah Saunders-

OCRA's newly elected Board of Directors President.

IN THIS ISSUE: 

• US 550 night closure- Closure of US 550 ?Sunday - Thursday nights 8 p.m. - 6 a.m., from August 15 to mid-September- details below updated as of 08/18/2010
  
• Cardboard Recycling For Businesses- info
  
• Aug 28 is packed full of activities!
  
• Glenda the Blenda and Grillin Chillin!
  
• Perimeter Trail work scheduled. Volunteers needed.
  
• Fall Fly Fishing Conditions
  
• Chief Ouray Gun Show- OCT 2 &3
  
• Links to members
  
• Updated OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS contact list- updated 08/13/2010
  
• Feature: Rafting in August is good to go! Call the people in the know: Rigs Fly Shop and Rafting Service: 626-4460. fishrigs.com
  

For an updated CALENDER OF EVENTS,

please see www.OurayColorado.com

US 550 BEAR CREEK BRIDGE NIGHT WORK BEGINS FULL CLOSURES EXPECTED

 Closure of US 550 will occur Sunday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., from August 15 to mid-September. 

******
From Ouray you will be able to drive up until the amphitheatre. Any point beyond that will not be accessible, including the overlook, during these nightly closures. Please note, however, the full closure is only from 8 p.m. - 6 a.m. The overlook, however, is closed full time until late October. If you wish to drive from Silverton to Ironton you will be able to make that drive during the road closure.

As for the shut down, it is a shutdown for the winter is of the project not the highway.

 Commuters and community members are encouraged to sign up for regular electronic updates by enrolling at
BearCreekBridge@accbuilt.com
or calling the project hotline at 970-325-9892.  You may also visit the CDOT website at  http://www.Coloradodot.info/projects/550bearcreekbridge.For information on other CDOT projects statewide visit www.cotrip.org or call 511. Thank you for going Slow for the Cone Zone!

Cardboard Recycling For Businesses- info

Regarding the new cardboard dumpsters for businesses,
 it is located on Oak St/ River Road just past the City Shop
going north into the big fenced-in area.
It is open 7am to 3:30 pm Mon- Fri.

Fee arrangements have yet to be determined.

This is a CDC project. __________________________________________________________________

Aug 28-

Mnt. Sneffles Marathon

Grillin' Chillin' Brewfest

Highgraders Holiday

Vignettes of History

AND more!

See OurayColoardo.com for more listings and for details.

Grillin Chill featuring: Glenda the Blenda

Local non-profit Mosaic Community Project (MCP) has a new fundraising idea and "she" is already popular at Ouray County events.  Her name is "Glenda the Blenda."  Glenda is a human-powered bike that is ingeniously connected to a real blender - perfect for making smoothies, iced lemonades and the ever-popular margarita.  Glenda had her debut during Ride the Rockies and reached her full blending potential at the 3rd annual Ridgway River Festival where she raised money for community oriented projects funded by MCP.  Glenda will be displayed in all of her glory at this year's Chillin' and Grillin' where she will be spinnin' margaritas and smoothies to help raise money for Ouray Parks and Rec and MCP. Come give her a try! $6 we peddle, or $5 you peddle! 

Perimeter Trail work scheduled. Volunteers needed.

"All of you that have been sitting at home waiting for some trail work I have some good news for you. Saturday Aug. 21st. we are going to have a work day on the perimeter trail. We need to finish the section north of the bridge that crosses cascade creek. We are going to connect to the trail above the waterfall that is being completed from the visitor center. Also if enough people show up we can work on the trail south of the waterfall (cribbing, steps, and widening). We will meet at the top of 8th avenue at 9:00. we'll supply tools you supply brawn." Phil Wolkin

Fall Fly Fishing conditions for SW Colorado

For any one thinking about fly fishing SW Colorado this Fall...  conditions are going to be exceptional!

With the changing of the seasons, weather a little cooler and river flows a little lower, the trout are starting to bulk up for the coming winter - its "fish on" for the next 6 weeks!  There is no better time to fish the region for quality Rainbow, Brown and Cutthroat trout. So time to grab your gear and head to Ridgway for a remarkable Guided Fly Fishing Adventure. 

Chief Ouray Gun Show to be hosted Oct 2 & 3 at the 4 H Center in Ridgway, Colorado.

Admission is $5 or $8 for a two day pass. 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Event is open Sat. Oct. 2 9am- 5pm and Sun. Oct. 3 9am -3pm. Food available during he show. Enjoy the fall Colorado and the gun show in one trip! For more details please contact- 4H Director: Rod Hodge 970.325.9908 hodger@q.com.
___________________________________________________________________

Requested links for the chamber chat:

·                    City of Ouray: (view City Council Agendas prior to the meetings)

     www.cityofouray.com

·                    Jeep road condition updates: http://soajeep.com/custom1.shtml

·                    Newspapers: Ouray Plaindealer and Ridgway Sun - www.ouraynews.com;

·                    Ouray County Watch- www.watchnewspapers.com 

·                    Ouray Chamber Resort Association (OCRA) ? www.ouraycolorado.com

·                    Ouray County Performing Arts Guild (OCPAG) ? www.ocpag.org

·                    Ouray County Arts Association (OOAA) ? www.ourayarts.org

·                    Ouray County Historical Society: www.ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org

·                    Ouray Ice Park: http://www.ourayicepark.com

·                    Ouray Trail Group  - www.ouraytrails.org

·                    Ouray Travel: www.bookouray.com  allows visitors to book into Ouray     

    lodging, find airfare and car rentals 24 hours per day, just like major travel

    sites such as Travelocity and Expedia. http://www.ouraytravel.com
						

·    Painting Marmot Art Supply and Art School www.paintingmarmotart.com

·                    Rays Good Stuff, jerky, jellies and more http://raysgoodstuff.com

·                    San Juan Mountain Guides: New Classes  www.ourayclimbing.com/

·                    Weehawken Creative Arts (WCA) ? www.weehawkenarts.org

·                    Yankee Boy Conservation Association: http://www.yankeeboy.org

·                    Ouray Beautification Committee: Committee meetings - monthly, the second Wednesday, beginning at 3:30 PM in the Community Center's San Juan Room.

**Disclaimer: The Chamber Chat is a courtesy service.  Our goal is to be short and readable with pass-along information and reminders requested from members. This service is being provided in lieu of forwarding e-mails directly to you. Thank you for reading our chat!

Welcome Lezah Saunders-

OCRA's newly elected Board of Directors President.

IN THIS ISSUE: 

• US 550 night closure- Closure of US 550 will occur Sunday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., from August 15 to mid-September- details below!
  
• Ouray Brewery is OPEN!
  
• Live music in August at the Four Corners Café
  
• Chief Ouray Gun Show- OCT 2 &3
  
• Crystal Lake Dam Project- USFS report
  
• Weehawken's 2010 Scholarship Program
  
• Treasure Hunt in the Visitor's Guide ? Do you know the answers?
  
• Jeep Ticket Update
  
• Links to members
  
• Updated OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS contact list- updated 08/13/2010
  
• Feature: Rafting in August is good to go! Call the people in the know: Rigs Fly Shop and Rafting Service: 626-4460. fishrigs.com
  

For an updated CALENDER OF EVENTS,

please see www.OurayColorado.com

News From

American Civil Constructors, Inc.

Contractor for the Colorado Department of Transportation

Media Contact: Jody Randall, Public Information 720-244-7312

CDOT Public Relations, Nancy Shanks (970) 385-1428

 August 9, 2010

US 550 BEAR CREEK BRIDGE UPDATE

NIGHT WORK BEGINS FULL CLOSURES EXPECTED

American Civil Constructors, Inc. (ACC), contractor for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), on the US 550 Bear Creek Bridge project will be starting intermittent night work on Sunday August 15, 2010 requiring full closure of the highway.

 Closure of US 550 will occur Sunday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., from August 15 to mid-September.  These closures are necessary to allow rock anchoring below the highway (for widening US 550) while assuring public and contractor safety. 

 The Bear Creek Bridge project, located two miles south of Ouray on US 550, started on July 26, 2010. The project constructs a new, wider Bear Creek bridge, provides improved parking to the north and a adds a cantilevered walkway to allow visitors a better view over the canyon edge onto the falls below.  Crews will suspend work for a winter shut down in October 2010 and will return in the spring with a final completion in November 2011.  This project moved forward with funding from Colorado FASTER ? 09-SB-108.

 Commuters and community members are encouraged to sign up for regular electronic updates by enrolling at
BearCreekBridge@accbuilt.com
or calling the project hotline at 970-325-9892.  You may also visit the CDOT website at  http://www.Coloradodot.info/projects/550bearcreekbridge.For information on other CDOT projects statewide visit www.cotrip.org or call 511. Thank you for going Slow for the Cone Zone!

******
From Ouray you will be able to drive up until the amphitheatre. Any point beyond that will not be accessible, including the overlook, during these nightly closures. Please note, however, the full closure is only from 8 p.m. - 6 a.m. The overlook, however, is closed full time until late October. If you wish to drive from Silverton to Ironton you will be able to make that drive during the road closure.

As for the shut down, it is a shutdown for the winter is of the project not the highway.

___________________________________________________________________

4 Corners Cafe at the Chipeta Sun Lodge in Ridgway, Colorado
Live Music Wed. and Friday nights
on the Rooftop Deck, Best view in Ridgway!

Crystal Lake Dam Work Planned

Montrose, CO., (August 3, 2010) ?  The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests is planning repair work on the Crystal Lake Dam, located approximately 4 miles South of Ouray, Colorado, along Highway 550.  

Most immediately, the Forest Service plans to install an emergency spillway on the Crystal Dam which includes installing a 10-inch siphon and 24-inch outlet pipe.  This work will provide temporary stability to the dam while other plans for repairs are developed and funding sought.  

Construction is expected to begin in October and take approximately 14 days to complete.  During the period while construction is occurring, the crest on the North side of the dam will be impacted and access to the Hayden Trail (currently across the north embankment) will likely be closed to the public and/or temporarily moved to the South toward Ironton.  The public will be notified when work begins and trail access status in the media, on the Forest website and/or by calling the Ouray Ranger District Office.

In the interim, the Bureau of Reclamation is assisting the Forest Service by evaluating the dam hazard classification and assisting with potential rehabilitation needs/options and cost estimates.    

___________________________________________________________________

Chief Ouray Gun Show to be hosted Oct 2 & 3 at the 4 H Center in Ridgway, Colorado.

Admission is $5 or $8 for a two day pass. 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Event is open Sat. Oct. 2 9am- 5pm and Sun. Oct. 3 9am -3pm. Food available during he show. Enjoy the fall Colorado and the gun show in one trip! For more details please contact- 4H Director: Rod Hodge 970.325.9908 hodger@q.com.
___________________________________________________________________

Weehawken's 2010 Scholarship Program: 

Weehawken Creative Arts is pleased to offer scholarships for classes and workshops to deserving people interested in taking advantage of the cultural and fine arts events offered.

To support or apply, please contact:

WEEHAWKEN CREATIVE ARTS - 970-318-0150    WWW.WEEHAWKENARTS.ORG

Treasure Hunt in the Visitor's Guide

There is a wonderful and fun Ouray Treasure Hunt on page 49 of the Ouray Visitor's Guide. Ouray. We encourage you to let your staff and visitors know about the treasure hunt and the awesome poster prize that we have at the Visitor's Center- upon completion.

Do you know the answers to the questions on the hunt? ??..We challenge you!

Submit your treasure hunt questions for the 2011 guide now!

___________________________________________________________________

Jeep Ticket Update

For businesses that are selling Jeep Tickets, Patricia Sullivan will be coming by on Fridays & Mondays to pick up and deliver tickets. If you have too many tickets or need more, please call (970) 318-8469. Thank you for your support!

*Jeeps ticket sales pay for the fireworks, a new jeep and a student scholarship.

OCRA is looking for any creative & innovative ideas on how to boost Jeep ticket sales, if you have any, please send an email to ouray@ouraycolorado.com.

Requested links for the chamber chat:

·                    City of Ouray: (view City Council Agendas prior to the meetings)

     www.cityofouray.com

·                    Jeep road condition updates: http://soajeep.com/custom1.shtml

·                    Newspapers: Ouray Plaindealer and Ridgway Sun - www.ouraynews.com;

·                    Ouray County Watch- www.watchnewspapers.com 

·                    Ouray Chamber Resort Association (OCRA) ? www.ouraycolorado.com

·                    Ouray County Performing Arts Guild (OCPAG) ? www.ocpag.org

·                    Ouray County Arts Association (OOAA) ? www.ourayarts.org

·                    Ouray County Historical Society: www.ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org

·                    Ouray Ice Park: http://www.ourayicepark.com

·                    Ouray Trail Group  - www.ouraytrails.org

·                    Ouray Travel: www.bookouray.com  allows visitors to book into Ouray     

    lodging, find airfare and car rentals 24 hours per day, just like major travel

    sites such as Travelocity and Expedia. http://www.ouraytravel.com
						

·    Painting Marmot Art Supply and Art School www.paintingmarmotart.com

·                    Rays Good Stuff, jerky, jellies and more http://raysgoodstuff.com

·                    San Juan Mountain Guides: New Classes  www.ourayclimbing.com/

·                    Weehawken Creative Arts (WCA) ? www.weehawkenarts.org

·                    Yankee Boy Conservation Association: http://www.yankeeboy.org

·                    Ouray Beautification Committee: Committee meetings - monthly, the second Wednesday, beginning at 3:30 PM in the Community Center's San Juan Room.

2010 OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS         
								

Updated 05/20/2010 

**Disclaimer: The Chamber Chat is a courtesy service.  Our goal is to be short and readable with pass-along information and reminders requested from members. This service is being provided in lieu of forwarding e-mails directly to you. Thank you for reading our chat!

IN THIS ISSUE: 

• Lodging- availability connection to OCRA? E-mail us at OCRALodging@gmail.com with your updates.
  
• Ridgway Rendezvous Art and Craft Festival, August 7th & 8^th.
  
• Live music in August at the Four Corners Café
  
• Crystal Lake Dam Project- USFS report
  
• Weehawken's 2010 Scholarship Program
  
• Treasure Hunt in the Visitor's Guide ? Do you know the answers?
  
• Jeep Ticket Update
  
• Links to members
  
• Updated OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS contact list
  

To view our CALENDER OF EVENTS,

please see www.ouraycolorado.com

___________________________________________________________________

Ridgway Art & Crafts Rendezvous, Ridgway Town Park

August 7th & 8th

DON'T MISS THE ENTERTAINMENT AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES AT THE RIDWGAY RENDEZVOUS ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND! 

This is a perfect show for families to attend as well; with this 26th year having plenty of extra special things for families and kids to do.  The children will enjoy riding the Ridgway Fire Department train, free balloons, face painting, two arts and crafts booths and some really fun family creation station projects each day.

For more information, contact Weehawken Creative Arts at wcaouray@yahoo.com or call 970-318-0150.  Or, contact the Ridgway Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-220-4959.   This event is sponsored by Weehawken Creative arts and is a fundraiser for the children's arts programming offered through Weehawken.   

CONTACT FOR RIDGWAY ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW

Kentee Pasek, Show Director

Phone:  970-318-6673, email:  ridgwayarts@kentee.com

___________________________________________________________________

4 Corners Cafe at the Chipeta Sun Lodge in Ridgway, Colorado
Live Music Wed. and Friday nights
on the Rooftop Deck, Best view in Ridgway!

Crystal Lake Dam Work Planned

Montrose, CO., (August 3, 2010) ?  The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests is planning repair work on the Crystal Lake Dam, located approximately 4 miles South of Ouray, Colorado, along Highway 550.  

Most immediately, the Forest Service plans to install an emergency spillway on the Crystal Dam which includes installing a 10-inch siphon and 24-inch outlet pipe.  This work will provide temporary stability to the dam while other plans for repairs are developed and funding sought.  

Construction is expected to begin in October and take approximately 14 days to complete.  During the period while construction is occurring, the crest on the North side of the dam will be impacted and access to the Hayden Trail (currently across the north embankment) will likely be closed to the public and/or temporarily moved to the South toward Ironton.  The public will be notified when work begins and trail access status in the media, on the Forest website and/or by calling the Ouray Ranger District Office.

In the interim, the Bureau of Reclamation is assisting the Forest Service by evaluating the dam hazard classification and assisting with potential rehabilitation needs/options and cost estimates.    

___________________________________________________________________

Weehawken's 2010 Scholarship Program: 

Weehawken Creative Arts is pleased to offer scholarships for classes and workshops to deserving people interested in taking advantage of the cultural and fine arts events offered.

To support or apply, please contact:

WEEHAWKEN CREATIVE ARTS - 970-318-0150    WWW.WEEHAWKENARTS.ORG

Treasure Hunt in the Visitor's Guide

There is a wonderful and fun Ouray Treasure Hunt in the Visitor's Guide. It is a great activity for family's to do while they are visiting Ouray. The hunt is on page 49.

We encourage you to let your staff and visitors know about the treasure hunt and the awesome poster prize that we have at the Visitor's Center- upon completion.

We had one interested family complete the hunt and sent us an email?

"I just wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful visit to Ouray

Recently. My 11 year old daughter saw the treasure hunt in the travel guide

And she and I set out to complete it. What a great way to get to know the

Town! We met so many people and learned interesting details about Ouray that

We would have passed over otherwise. And, the best part was collecting our

Poster at the end. The quality of the print surpassed any expectation we

had! We had the print mounted and now proudly display it in our Dallas home

as a reminder of Colorado. Thank you very much!!!!"

Do you know the answers to the questions on the hunt? ??..We challenge you!

Submit your treasure hunt questions for the 2011 guide now!

___________________________________________________________________

Jeep Ticket Update

For businesses that are selling Jeep Tickets, Patricia Sullivan will be coming by on Fridays & Mondays to pick up and deliver tickets. If you have too many tickets or need more, please call (970) 318-8469.

OCRA is looking for any creative & innovative ideas on how to boost Jeep ticket sales, if you have any, please send an email to ouray@ouraycolorado.com.

Requested links for the chamber chat:

·                    City of Ouray: (view City Council Agendas prior to the meetings)

www.cityofouray.com

·                    Jeep road condition updates: http://soajeep.com/custom1.shtml

·                    Newspapers: Ouray Plaindealer and Ridgway Sun - www.ouraynews.com;

·                    Ouray County Watch- www.watchnewspapers.com 

·                    Ouray Chamber Resort Association (OCRA) ? www.ouraycolorado.com

·                    Ouray County Performing Arts Guild (OCPAG) ? www.ocpag.org

·                    Ouray County Arts Association (OOAA) ? www.ourayarts.org

·                    Ouray County Historical Society: www.ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org

·                    Ouray Ice Park: http://www.ourayicepark.com

·                    Ouray Trail Group  - www.ouraytrails.org

·                    Painting Marmot Art Supply and Art School www.paintingmarmotart.com

·                    Rays Good Stuff, jerky, jellies and more http://raysgoodstuff.com

·                    San Juan Mountain Guides: New Classes  www.ourayclimbing.com/

·                    Weehawken Creative Arts (WCA) ? www.weehawkenarts.org

·                    Yankee Boy Conservation Association: http://www.yankeeboy.org

·                    Ouray Beautification Committee: Committee meetings - monthly, the second Wednesday, beginning at 3:30 PM in the Community Center's San Juan Room.

 **Disclaimer: The Chamber Chat is a courtesy service.  Our goal is to be short and readable with pass-along information and reminders requested from members. This service is being provided in lieu of forwarding e-mails directly to you. Thank you for reading our chat!

3^rd Annual Grillin & Chillin is right around the corner (Aug 28^th)

?interested in having a booth?

OCRA is now accepting applications for City of Ouray Retailers & Restaurants.

For a small $10 Huckster permit to the city, your business can participate.

(Deadline is August 12^th).

Contact the Visitor's Center for more info, (970) 325 ? 4746.

IN THIS ISSUE: 

• Road closures due to storm- USFS report
  
• Weehawken Creative Arts Seeks Volunteers to Help with the Ridgway Arts and Crafts Rendezvous
  
• Colorado Peace Ride, July 29^th ? August 1st
  
• Sheep Day, August 3^rd
  
• Sally Shuffield Concert, Wright Opera House, August 4th
  
• Ridgway Rendezvous Art and Craft Festival, August 7th & 8^th
  
• Treasure Hunt in the Visitor's Guide ? MORE INFO
  
• Wildflower Update
  
• Jeep Ticket Update
  
• Links to members
  
• Updated OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS contact list
  

For an updated and online CALENDER OF EVENTS,

check out www.ouraycolorado.com

Storms and Flooding Close Some Roads/Trails

Delta, CO., (July 28, 2010) ? Portions of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests and local areas across the Forest have experienced sudden, violent and turbulent thunder and lightning storms, with more forecast throughout the week.  On Tuesday, heavy storms with significant rainfall caused road closures and failures.  

The Goodnough Road (Forest Service Road 618), located off highway 145 was closed by flooding and mud/rock slides on Tuesday evening as a result of the storms.  County crews were working on the road today and are expected to continue work to reopen over the next few days. Also affected was the Dexter Creek Road (FSR 871 and Ouray County Road 14) outside of Ouray, located above the Baxter Mine.  This road completely washed out in sections at the upper creek crossing, stranding people on the opposite bank of Dexter Creek.  County crews were working today to reach stranded individuals, clear the area and to restore access.  This work is expected to take up to two weeks to complete, pending any further damage from additional storms.  This lack of access affects the Horsethief Trailhead and makes it inaccessible.  In addition, Engineer Pass was temporarily closed from the storm and flooding.  The Pass was reopened late last night, pending any future storms and further damage.  

According to forest officials, yesterday's rain event caused no appreciable debris or erosion in the drainages impacted by the Beaver Fire-including Gutshal Basin and McKenzie Creek.  Fire rehabilitation work conducted immediately after the fire established waterbars and other erosion protection on fire trails, roads and in other fire areas to prevent erosion and damage in the event of storms and severe weather.  

As a safety precaution to citizens, more severe storms and heavy rain are forecast for the area over the next few days. Recreationists are encouraged to avoid high elevations and creek crossings when storms are present and if caught in a storm and flood situation: DO NOT try to cross creeks and/or flooded areas; stay in your vehicle if you are in a safe area to protect you from other dangers; and seek high ground if flooding occurs.  

Weehawken Creative Arts Seeks Volunteers to Help with the Ridgway Arts and Crafts Rendezvous on August 6, 7  & 8  

The Ridgway Rendezvous Arts and Crafts Festival is a major fundraiser for Weehawken Creative Arts -- with funds  going towards children's programs and scholarship availability each year.

Weehawken is seeking individuals who would be willing to volunteer for any of the days of the event (August 6, 7 & 8) to help with vendor check-in, balloons, manning the beer/wine tent, kids arts and crafts, family activities and more.  Volunteers can opt to work in blocks of time, or the really ambitious can sign on for a full day! 

To simplify signing up as a volunteer, we are

trying a new service that's simple to use and to

see as a volunteer what's needed called Volunteerspot.  Please click this link to sign up for a duty:  

www.volunteerspot.com 

Or -- you can also just give Ashley a call and tell her what you'd like to do too at 970-318-0150 (or better:  email her at wcaouray@yahoo.com)

Colorado Peace Ride

July 29^th ? August 1^st

Route: Thursday July 29 - Durango to Ouray - 74 Miles - 6985 ft*
Friday July 30 - Ouray to Telluride - 48 Miles - 3870 ft*
Saturday July 31 - Telluride to Dolores - 60 Miles - 1422 ft*
Sunday August 1 - Dolores to Durango - 56 Miles - 2200 ft*

Benefits: As the primary beneficiary of the profits generated by the Colorado Peace Ride, the Sophia Peace Center supports non-profits by providing them with free or low-cost retreats in a beautiful retreat center in Dolores, Colorado. This service in turn promotes social change by empowering organizations to become more effective and successful in their mission. SPC retreats provide instruction for strategic planning, project facilitation, and team building. They are also designed to encourage and re-inspire nonprofit workers who are typically overworked and underpaid, thereby preventing burnout and contributing to effective work habits and better outcomes for their worthy missions

For more information log on to www.thepeaceride.com

Sheep Day

An opportunity to visit a high country sheep camp along the Alpine Loop!

August 3, 2010, 10:00 a.m. ? 1:00 p.m.

The sheep ranchers, who graze sheep in the Alpine Loop area, invite you to stop at "Open Camp" on August 3^rd between 10 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.. Meet the ranchers and learn about the industry. It is an educational opportunity both you and your children will thoroughly enjoy. See the guard dogs and herd dogs and learn the difference. Feel wool on a lamb. Go into the tent and learn about a sheepherder's life, a tradition unchanged in a century.

USDA Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management officials will be on hand to answer questions regarding public land grazing. There is no charge.

The Alpine Loop is located between the cities of Ouray, Silverton, and Lake City. Engineer Pass is on the northern portion of the loop. The camp will be located just east of the summit on Engineer Pass.

Sally Shuffield Concert, Wright Opera House

August 4^th, 7:30pm

Ouray, Colorado - The Ouray County Performing Arts Guild (OCPAG) in celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of Artists' Alpine Holiday presents Durango, Colorado, based singer/songwriter, Sally Shuffield. Sally has been compared to Iris Dement and early Nanci Griffith by "No Depression" Magazine and the Colorado Bluegrass Music Association.  She writes and sings songs about growing up in rural Arkansas, as well as traveling and living throughout the West.  With the release of her third CD, "Something in the Water," she firmly establishes herself as a leading new voice in the Americana/folk tradition.  Her music has been widely played on public radio stations across the country and internationally, charting on the folk and American Roots Charts. Sally recently opened the show for Robert Earl Keen in Durango, Colorado, where the Durango Herald said of her performance, the "sublimely voiced Sally Shuffield is able to make a good tune look easy."  To learn more, visit www.sallyshuffield.com.

Ridgway Art & Crafts Rendezvous, Ridgway Town Park

August 7th & 8th

The beautiful town of Ridgway is known for spectacular scenery, railroads, ranching, recreation and of course:  the Ridgway Arts and Crafts Rendezvous held every year in August for the past 25 years.

In its 26th year, Weehawken Creative Arts will welcome over 150 artists and vendors on August 7th and 8th in the Town of Ridgway's historic park. 

All types of fine arts and original crafts will be represented at this show.  Additionally, there will be a diverse assortment of food concessions offering everything from bar-b-que to Gyros.  Additionally, this year's event will feature the locally delicious brews of the Colorado Boy Brewery (of Ridgway) as well as the addition of wine at the event.

This two-day event offers plenty for you to enjoy all day long throughout each day.  The entertainment on the Main Stage runs continuously on both days of the show with music ranging from bluegrass to bagpipes and rock and roll.  Watch art transpire as demonstrations of all types are scheduled by the vendors throughout each day. 

This is a perfect show for families to attend as well; with this 26th year having plenty of extra special things for families and kids to do.  The children will enjoy riding the Ridgway Fire Department train, free balloons, face painting, two arts and crafts booths and some really fun family creation station projects each day.

For more information, contact Weehawken Creative Arts at wcaouray@yahoo.com or call 970-318-0150.  Or, contact the Ridgway Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-220-4959.   This event is sponsored by Weehawken Creative arts and is a fundraiser for the children's arts programming offered through Weehawken.   

CONTACT FOR RIDGWAY ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW

Kentee Pasek, Show Director

Phone:  970-318-6673, email:  ridgwayarts@kentee.com

Treasure Hunt in the Visitor's Guide

There is a wonderful and fun Ouray Treasure Hunt in the Visitor's Guide. It is a great activity for family's to do while they are visiting Ouray. The hunt is on page 49.

We encourage you to let your staff and visitors know about the treasure hunt and the awesome poster prize that we have at the Visitor's Center- upon completion.

We had one interested family complete the hunt and sent us an email?

"I just wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful visit to Ouray

Recently. My 11 year old daughter saw the treasure hunt in the travel guide

And she and I set out to complete it. What a great way to get to know the

Town! We met so many people and learned interesting details about Ouray that

We would have passed over otherwise. And, the best part was collecting our

Poster at the end. The quality of the print surpassed any expectation we

had! We had the print mounted and now proudly display it in our Dallas home

as a reminder of Colorado. Thank you very much!!!!"

Please encourage this fun activity - we have plenty of posters, so let everyone know.

Thanks,

Mariah DeGear

OCRA Interim Director

Wildflower Update

The wildflowers are approaching their peak. Imogene Basin--Beautiful displays above Upper Camp Bird. Yankee Boy Basin--Beautiful displays. Black Bear--Beautiful displays on west side of the pass.

WARREN BARKER, US Forrest Service

Jeep Ticket Update

For businesses that are selling Jeep Tickets, Patricia Sullivan will be coming by on Fridays & Mondays to pick up and deliver tickets. If you have too many tickets or need more, please call (970) 318-8469.

OCRA is looking for any creative & innovative ideas on how to boost Jeep ticket sales, if you have any, please send an email to ouray@ouraycolorado.com.

Requested links for the chamber chat:

·                    City of Ouray: (view City Council Agendas prior to the meetings)

www.cityofouray.com

·                    Jeep road condition updates: http://soajeep.com/custom1.shtml

·                    Newspapers: Ouray Plaindealer and Ridgway Sun - www.ouraynews.com;

·                    Ouray County Watch- www.watchnewspapers.com 

·                    Ouray Chamber Resort Association (OCRA) ? www.ouraycolorado.com

·                    Ouray County Performing Arts Guild (OCPAG) ? www.ocpag.org

·                    Ouray County Arts Association (OOAA) ? www.ourayarts.org

·                    Ouray County Historical Society: www.ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org

·                    Ouray Ice Park: http://www.ourayicepark.com

·                    Ouray Trail Group  - www.ouraytrails.org

·                    Painting Marmot Art Supply and Art School www.paintingmarmotart.com

·                    Rays Good Stuff, jerky, jellies and more http://raysgoodstuff.com

·                    San Juan Mountain Guides: New Classes  www.ourayclimbing.com/

·                    Weehawken Creative Arts (WCA) ? www.weehawkenarts.org

·                    Yankee Boy Conservation Association: http://www.yankeeboy.org

·                    Ouray Beautification Committee: Committee meetings - monthly, the second Wednesday, beginning at 3:30 PM in the Community Center's San Juan Room.

**Disclaimer: The Chamber Chat is a courtesy service.  Our goal is to be short and readable with pass-along information and reminders requested from members. This service is being provided in lieu of forwarding e-mails directly to you. Thank you for reading our chat!

Grillin & Chillin is right around the corner (Aug 28^th)

?interested in having a booth?

OCRA is now accepting applications for City of Ouray Retailers & Restaurants.

For a small $10 Huckster permit to the city, your business can participate.

(Deadline is August 12^th).

Contact Mariah at the Visitor's Center for more info, (970) 325 ? 4746.

IN THIS ISSUE: 

• TONIGHT ? Rolland McCook at the Community Center, 6:30pm
  
• Welcome FJ Summit, July 21^st ? 24^th
  
• Kort McCumber Concert, Wright Opera House, July 26^th 7:30pm
  
• Building you Social Media Brand, July 27^th, Business Incubator Center, Grand Junction
  
• Colorado Peace Ride, July 29^th ? August 1st
  
• Sheep Day, August 3^rd
  
• Sally Shuffield Concert, Wright Opera House, August 4th
  
• Ridgway Rendezvous Art and Craft Festival, August 7th & 8^th
  
• Treasure Hunt in the Visitor's Guide ? MORE INFO
  
• Wildflower Update
  
• Jeep Ticket Update
  
• Links to members
  
• Updated OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS contact list
  

For an updated and online CALENDER OF EVENTS,

check out www.ouraycolorado.com

TONIGHT ? Rolland McCook at the Community Center, 6:30pm

July 21^st, 6:30pm

Meet Chief Ouray Great Grandson in full regalia and learn about connecting legends from the past to our future in regards to protecting and preserving the earth.

Second Stage Proudly Presents... 
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged
Directed by Jeb Berrier
July 25-28, 2010 (Sun. ? Wed.)
Sheridan Opera House, Telluride
Showtime: 8:00pm Nightly, General Admission
$15 Adult, $10 Student

Telluride, Colorado, July 15th ? 37 plays, 97 minutes, 3 actors, 1 amazing evening of theater and comedy. What is it? It's The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). One of the funniest plays you may or may not have ever seen.

Watch as the actors blaze through the Shakespearean cannon in a way that would make Monty Python proud. Local thespians Ashley Boling, Buff Hooper and Jeb Berrier bring the Bard's words to life like never before.

 "Pithier than Python. Irresistible." New York Times

"A madcap condensation that features non-stop laughs. Done at a whirlwind pace and with great delight, they are sure to win over even the most skeptical. And there is no doubt that William Shakespeare himself? would approve." Daily Variety

"If you like Shakespeare, you'll like this show. If you hate Shakespeare, you'll love this show!" The Today Show

Kort McCumber Concert, Wright Opera House

July 26^th 7:30pm

Support the Wright Opera House, while enjoying some great music.

Building Your Social Media Brand
Tuesday July 27^th, 4pm - 7pm

Business Incubator Center, Grand Junction, 2591 B 3/4 Road, Grand Junction, CO

Cost is $50

How can you use social media tools to enhance your company's BRAND recognition?
This workshop will demonstrate how to use Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to raise your profile among key industry groups, find and cultivate relationships with your customers, and hone your search techniques and strategies. The objective is to provide a better understanding of how to use social media tools to get involved with the discussion going on in your industry and cultivate your presence in that conversation.
Seats are limited, reserve your seat today. 970-243-5242

Colorado Peace Ride

July 29^th ? August 1^st

Route: Thursday July 29 - Durango to Ouray - 74 Miles - 6985 ft*
Friday July 30 - Ouray to Telluride - 48 Miles - 3870 ft*
Saturday July 31 - Telluride to Dolores - 60 Miles - 1422 ft*
Sunday August 1 - Dolores to Durango - 56 Miles - 2200 ft*

Benefits: As the primary beneficiary of the profits generated by the Colorado Peace Ride, the Sophia Peace Center supports non-profits by providing them with free or low-cost retreats in a beautiful retreat center in Dolores, Colorado. This service in turn promotes social change by empowering organizations to become more effective and successful in their mission. SPC retreats provide instruction for strategic planning, project facilitation, and team building. They are also designed to encourage and re-inspire nonprofit workers who are typically overworked and underpaid, thereby preventing burnout and contributing to effective work habits and better outcomes for their worthy missions

For more information log on to www.thepeaceride.com

Sheep Day

An opportunity to visit a high country sheep camp along the Alpine Loop!

August 3, 2010, 10:00 a.m. ? 1:00 p.m.

The sheep ranchers, who graze sheep in the Alpine Loop area, invite you to stop at "Open Camp" on August 3^rd between 10 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.. Meet the ranchers and learn about the industry. It is an educational opportunity both you and your children will thoroughly enjoy. See the guard dogs and herd dogs and learn the difference. Feel wool on a lamb. Go into the tent and learn about a sheepherder's life, a tradition unchanged in a century.

USDA Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management officials will be on hand to answer questions regarding public land grazing. There is no charge.

The Alpine Loop is located between the cities of Ouray, Silverton, and Lake City. Engineer Pass is on the northern portion of the loop. The camp will be located just east of the summit on Engineer Pass.

Sally Shuffield Concert, Wright Opera House

August 4^th, 7:30pm

Ouray, Colorado - The Ouray County Performing Arts Guild (OCPAG) in celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of Artists' Alpine Holiday presents Durango, Colorado, based singer/songwriter, Sally Shuffield. Sally has been compared to Iris Dement and early Nanci Griffith by "No Depression" Magazine and the Colorado Bluegrass Music Association.  She writes and sings songs about growing up in rural Arkansas, as well as traveling and living throughout the West.  With the release of her third CD, "Something in the Water," she firmly establishes herself as a leading new voice in the Americana/folk tradition.  Her music has been widely played on public radio stations across the country and internationally, charting on the folk and American Roots Charts. Sally recently opened the show for Robert Earl Keen in Durango, Colorado, where the Durango Herald said of her performance, the "sublimely voiced Sally Shuffield is able to make a good tune look easy."  To learn more, visit www.sallyshuffield.com.

Ridgway Art & Crafts Rendezvous, Ridgway Town Park

August 7th & 8th

The beautiful town of Ridgway is known for spectacular scenery, railroads, ranching, recreation and of course:  the Ridgway Arts and Crafts Rendezvous held every year in August for the past 25 years.

In its 26th year, Weehawken Creative Arts will welcome over 150 artists and vendors on August 7th and 8th in the Town of Ridgway's historic park. 

All types of fine arts and original crafts will be represented at this show.  Additionally, there will be a diverse assortment of food concessions offering everything from bar-b-que to Gyros.  Additionally, this year's event will feature the locally delicious brews of the Colorado Boy Brewery (of Ridgway) as well as the addition of wine at the event.

This two-day event offers plenty for you to enjoy all day long throughout each day.  The entertainment on the Main Stage runs continuously on both days of the show with music ranging from bluegrass to bagpipes and rock and roll.  Watch art transpire as demonstrations of all types are scheduled by the vendors throughout each day. 

This is a perfect show for families to attend as well; with this 26th year having plenty of extra special things for families and kids to do.  The children will enjoy riding the Ridgway Fire Department train, free balloons, face painting, two arts and crafts booths and some really fun family creation station projects each day.

For more information, contact Weehawken Creative Arts at wcaouray@yahoo.com or call 970-318-0150.  Or, contact the Ridgway Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-220-4959.   This event is sponsored by Weehawken Creative arts and is a fundraiser for the children's arts programming offered through Weehawken.   

CONTACT FOR RIDGWAY ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW

Kentee Pasek, Show Director

Phone:  970-318-6673, email:  ridgwayarts@kentee.com

Treasure Hunt in the Visitor's Guide

There is a wonderful and fun Ouray Treasure Hunt in the Visitor's Guide. It is a great activity for family's to do while they are visiting Ouray. The hunt is on page 49.

We encourage you to let your staff and visitors know about the treasure hunt and the awesome poster prize that we have at the Visitor's Center- upon completion.

We had one interested family complete the hunt and sent us an email?

"I just wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful visit to Ouray

Recently. My 11 year old daughter saw the treasure hunt in the travel guide

And she and I set out to complete it. What a great way to get to know the

Town! We met so many people and learned interesting details about Ouray that

We would have passed over otherwise. And, the best part was collecting our

Poster at the end. The quality of the print surpassed any expectation we

had! We had the print mounted and now proudly display it in our Dallas home

as a reminder of Colorado. Thank you very much!!!!"

Please encourage this fun activity - we have plenty of posters, so let everyone know.

Thanks,

Mariah DeGear

OCRA Interim Director

Wildflower Update

The wildflowers are approaching their peak. Imogene Basin--Beautiful displays above Upper Camp Bird. Yankee Boy Basin--Beautiful displays. Black Bear--Beautiful displays on west side of the pass.

WARREN BARKER, US Forrest Service

Jeep Ticket Update

For businesses that are selling Jeep Tickets, Patricia Sullivan will be coming by on Fridays & Mondays to pick up and deliver tickets. If you have too many tickets or need more, please call (970) 318-8469.

OCRA is looking for any creative & innovative ideas on how to boost Jeep ticket sales, if you have any, please send an email to ouray@ouraycolorado.com.

Requested links for the chamber chat:

·                    City of Ouray: (view City Council Agendas prior to the meetings)

www.cityofouray.com

·                    Jeep road condition updates: http://soajeep.com/custom1.shtml

·                    Newspapers: Ouray Plaindealer and Ridgway Sun - www.ouraynews.com;

·                    Ouray County Watch- www.watchnewspapers.com 

·                    Ouray Chamber Resort Association (OCRA) ? www.ouraycolorado.com

·                    Ouray County Performing Arts Guild (OCPAG) ? www.ocpag.org

·                    Ouray County Arts Association (OOAA) ? www.ourayarts.org

·                    Ouray County Historical Society: www.ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org

·                    Ouray Ice Park: http://www.ourayicepark.com

·                    Ouray Trail Group  - www.ouraytrails.org

·                    Painting Marmot Art Supply and Art School www.paintingmarmotart.com

·                    Rays Good Stuff, jerky, jellies and more http://raysgoodstuff.com

·                    San Juan Mountain Guides: New Classes  www.ourayclimbing.com/

·                    Weehawken Creative Arts (WCA) ? www.weehawkenarts.org

·                    Yankee Boy Conservation Association: http://www.yankeeboy.org

·                    Ouray Beautification Committee: Committee meetings - monthly, the second Wednesday, beginning at 3:30 PM in the Community Center's San Juan Room.

2010 OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS         
								

Updated 05/20/2010 

 **Disclaimer: The Chamber Chat is a courtesy service.  Our goal is to be short and readable with pass-along information and reminders requested from members. This service is being provided in lieu of forwarding e-mails directly to you. Thank you for reading our chat!

Tonight at 7pm in Ouray Hot Springs Park, near the gazebo

Roland McCook, Chief Ouray's great - great grandson will be here in full regalia to speak to us about connecting legends from the past to our future in regards to protecting and preserving the earth. 

Tonight's presentation will be dedicated to Petie Morss, whose life tragically ended this week, in honor of his love of these mountains and Ouray. 

Photo taken by Ken Straley (Ouray Ranger District)

Imogene Pass 7/1/10

IN THIS ISSUE: 

• Ferrellgas & OCRA Propane deal for OCRA Members
  
• Letter from BOD Member, Faith Perry with an update on
  

    Ouray DVD and video

• Jeep Ticket Update
  
• FJ Summit (July 21 ? 24^th) Goodie Bag contributions NEEDED
  
• Kort McCumber Concert, Wright Opera House, July 26^th 7:30pm
  
• Painting Lessons, Ago Gallery, Tuesdays & Thursdays this summer
  
• UPDATE - Jeep Road report from the Forest Service
  
• Hardrock Hundred Endurance Run, July 9^th ? 11^th
  
• Colorado Peace Ride ? NEW DATES, July 29^th ? August 1st
  
• Links to members
  
• Updated OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS contact list
  

For an updated and online CALENDER OF EVENTS,

check out www.ouraycolorado.com

Ferrellgas and OCRA negotiated a special rate of $1.79/gallon for OCRA members ONLY

It is no cost to members to switch if the tank is up to code. Please contact Mariah at the Visitor's Center to find out more information and to get an application (970) 325 ? 4746.

UPDATE ? OURAY DVD & VIDEO

Letter from Faith Perry, OCRA Board

Dear OCRA Members,

We have chosen someone to do a new promotional video and DVD to market Ouray tourism. His name is Sean DeLand, he lives in Telluride and has worked for Plum TV, TCTV, and Outside TV in Telluride. Sean has been working in television for about 10 years as a producer/editor, sales manager, and station manager. He has extensive experience working with clients to create powerful video marketing tools for the web and television. Sean has worked on video marketing campaigns for Telluride Ski & Golf Co., Telluride Real Estate Corp., The Town of Mountain Village, Telluride Sports, as well as many other local restaurants, hotels, real estate companies, retail and adventure businesses. He will be coming around all summer to film events and happenings around town. He has already been here for Taste of Ouray and Ride the Rockies.

We are looking for members who would like to have a featured video on their business to be included in the DVD. The price for the video will be $1,500 per business. For smaller retail businesses we would like to do group videos to split the cost.

Each featured video will be between 30 and 60 seconds long. The cost includes a 5 minute promo of Ouray which will be shot like a short film rather than a narrative like the old one, inclusion in the marketing DVD, web placement of each featured video on over 12 video hosting websites, web optimization for Google searches, and the right for you to use your video for any other purposes.

Sean will be contacting each interested member to customize your video to show what makes your business unique and special. All videos will be "film style" rather than advertorials.

Please contact me (970) 325- 4913if you have any further questions or to confirm that you want to be include in this project.

We look forward to an awesome, relevant, attention getting video and DVD of Ouray! Thank you for your participation!

Jeep Ticket Update

For businesses that are selling Jeep Tickets, Patricia Sullivan will be coming by on Fridays & Mondays to pick up and deliver tickets. If you have too many tickets or need more, please call (970) 318-8469.

OCRA is looking for any creative & innovative ideas on how to boost Jeep ticket sales, if you have any, please send an email to ouray@ouraycolorado.com.

FJ Summit is COMING, July 21^st ? 24^th

Goodie Bag contributions are being collected. Please bring your contributions to Ryan at the Best Western by July 17^th. For more information, please call (970) 325 ? 4427.

Kort McCumber Concert, Wright Opera House July 26^th 7:30pm Support the Wright Opera House, while enjoying some great music.

Painting Lessons

Ago Gallery on 445 Main Street, Tuesdays & Thursdays - 10am ? 10:45am and 3pm ? 3:45pm Ages 5 ? 11

Students will provide their own paints Watercolor paper will be provided

For more information contact Jessie Goforth or Romagean Personne at

(970) 325-0270

SUMMER 2010

UPDATE OURAY COUNTY FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ROADS

OPEN

Blue Lakes Trailhead (CR 7)

Brown Mountain

Corkscrew

County Road 9 (Box Factory)

Engineer

Imogene Pass

Owl Creek

Ophir

Red Mountain Town (CR 31)    

Yankee Boy Basin

Black Bear

Cow Creek (part way)

Governor's Basin (part way)

Requested links for the chamber chat:

·                    City of Ouray: (view City Council Agendas prior to the meetings)

www.cityofouray.com

·                    Jeep road condition updates: http://soajeep.com/custom1.shtml

·                    Newspapers: Ouray Plaindealer and Ridgway Sun - www.ouraynews.com;

·                    Ouray County Watch- www.watchnewspapers.com 

·                    Ouray Chamber Resort Association (OCRA) ? www.ouraycolorado.com

·                    Ouray County Performing Arts Guild (OCPAG) ? www.ocpag.org

·                    Ouray County Arts Association (OOAA) ? www.ourayarts.org

·                    Ouray County Historical Society: www.ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org

·                    Ouray Ice Park: http://www.ourayicepark.com

·                    Ouray Trail Group  - www.ouraytrails.org

·                    Painting Marmot Art Supply and Art School www.paintingmarmotart.com

·                    Rays Good Stuff, jerky, jellies and more http://raysgoodstuff.com

·                    San Juan Mountain Guides: New Classes  www.ourayclimbing.com/

·                    Weehawken Creative Arts (WCA) ? www.weehawkenarts.org

·                    Yankee Boy Conservation Association: http://www.yankeeboy.org

·                    Ouray Beautification Committee: Committee meetings - monthly, the second Wednesday, beginning at 3:30 PM in the Community Center's San Juan Room.

2010 OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS         
								

Updated 05/20/2010 

**Disclaimer: The Chamber Chat is a courtesy service.  Our goal is to be short and readable with pass-along information and reminders requested from members. This service is being provided in lieu of forwarding e-mails directly to you. Thank you for reading our chat!

        Congratulations Jen & Bobby!

Jennifer Loshaw and Bobby Banta welcomed a little baby boy

Robert Wayne Banta, born Friday, June 11^th

Weight: 7lbs 3oz

Length: 20inches

IN THIS ISSUE: 

• Ferrellgas & OCRA Propane deal for OCRA Members
  
• Meet & Greet w/ Ellen Roberts, Candidate - Senate District 6, Billy Goat's Beirgarten, Friday, June 18th
  
• Taste of Silverton, Saturday, June 19th
  
• Hardrock Hundred Endurance Run, July 9^th ? 11^th
  
• Call For Photography Entries
  
• Jeep Road report from the Forest Service
  
• Colorado Peace Ride ? NEW DATES, July 29^th ? August 1st
  
• Links to members
  
• Updated OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS contact list
  

For an updated and online CALENDER OF EVENTS,

check out www.ouraycolorado.com

Ferrellgas and OCRA negotiated a special rate of $1.79/gallon for OCRA members ONLY There is no cost to members to switch if the tank is up to code. Please contact Mariah at the Visitor's Center to find out more information and to get an application (970) 325 ? 4746.

Meet and Greet for Ellen Roberts, Candidate for State Senate District 6

Friday, June 18th from 6-7:30pm @ Billy Goat Gruff's Biergarten, 400 Main St, Ouray

Ouray County Commissioner Heidi Albritton wishes to invite her friends, neighbors and the public to attend a meet and greet with Republican Candidate Ellen Roberts, Candidate for State Senate District 6. Ellen is currently the Colorado state representative for House District 59, serving Archuleta, La Plata, San Juan and Montezuma Counties. Ellen wants to hear from the constituents of 6th Senate District, so bring your ideas, questions and concerns.

Taste of Silverton

Saturday, June 19^th from 5 ? 9pm; Blair Street, between 12^th & 13^th Street

New this year ? Crafters and Collectors are invited to be a part of the Silverton Chamber Community Festival, in addition to local restaurant fare. If you are interested in participating or would like more information, call 387 ? 5654.

Jeep Ticket Update

For businesses that are selling Jeep Tickets, Patricia Sullivan will be coming by on Fridays & Mondays to pick up and deliver tickets. If you have too many tickets or need more, please call (970) 318-8469

Call for Photography Entries?

June 1-24

Photography entries accepted for San Juan Memories juried photography

Exhibit at the Ouray County Historical Museum (OCHS).

• Prizes awarded for First ($75),
  
• Second ($50)
  
• Third ($25)
  
• People's Choice Award ($25).
  

Interested applicants may submit no more than 3 entries; $5 per photo Entry fee; ribbon winners from the past may not submit any previous Prize-winning photo, all entries must be framed and received at the OCHS Museum at the top of 6th Ave in Ouray by June 24. For more information call 325-4576, or go online to ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org.

Below info has been provided on behalf of the USFS, Ouray Trail Group, Switzerland of America and the Visitors Center Staff. Updated May 24^th.

OURAY COUNTY

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ROADS

2010

OPEN

Blue Lakes Trailhead (CR 7)

Brown Mountain

Corkscrew

County Road 9 (Box Factory)

Engineer

Owl Creek

Ophir

Red Mountain Town (CR 31)    

Yankee Boy Basin

CLOSED

Cow Creek

Governor's Basin

Imogene Pass

Requested links for the chamber chat:

·                    City of Ouray: (view City Council Agendas prior to the meetings)

www.cityofouray.com

·                    Jeep road condition updates: http://soajeep.com/custom1.shtml

·                    Newspapers: Ouray Plaindealer and Ridgway Sun - www.ouraynews.com;

·                    Ouray County Watch- www.watchnewspapers.com 

·                    Ouray Chamber Resort Association (OCRA) ? www.ouraycolorado.com

·                    Ouray County Performing Arts Guild (OCPAG) ? www.ocpag.org

·                    Ouray County Arts Association (OOAA) ? www.ourayarts.org

·                    Ouray County Historical Society: www.ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org

·                    Ouray Ice Park: http://www.ourayicepark.com

·                    Ouray Trail Group  - www.ouraytrails.org

·                    Painting Marmot Art Supply and Art School www.paintingmarmotart.com

·                    Rays Good Stuff, jerky, jellies and more http://raysgoodstuff.com

·                    San Juan Mountain Guides: New Classes  www.ourayclimbing.com/

·                    Weehawken Creative Arts (WCA) ? www.weehawkenarts.org

·                    Yankee Boy Conservation Association: http://www.yankeeboy.org

·                    Ouray Beautification Committee: Committee meetings - monthly, the second Wednesday, beginning at 3:30 PM in the Community Center's San Juan Room.

**Disclaimer: The Chamber Chat is a courtesy service.  Our goal is to be short and readable with pass-along information and reminders requested from members. This service is being provided in lieu of forwarding e-mails directly to you. Thank you for reading our chat!

        RIDE THE ROCKIES IS ON ITS WAY?.

        NEED A BANNER FOR YOUR BIZ?

        COME BY THE VISITOR'S CENTER & PICK ONE UP

IN THIS ISSUE: 

• Feature: Ride the Rockies Update
  
• TONIGHT ? Business After Hours, Wildflower & Khristopher's Culinaire
  
• Jeep Ticket Update
  
• Call For Photography Entries
  
• Jeep Road report from the Forest Service
  
• Railroad Museum Restoration Week
  
• Visitor Guide Distribution Information
  
• Colorado Peace Ride ? NEW DATES, July 29^th ? August 1st
  
• Links to members
  
• Updated OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS contact list
  

For an updated and online CALENDER OF EVENTS,

check out www.ouraycolorado.com

Ride the Rockies Update June 15^th - June 16^th, 2010

Tentative Ride the Rockies Cyclist Schedule

June 15th

    9am ? 11am     Groups/Families associated with RR arrive into town

    11am ? 2pm     Cyclists arrive, pick up luggage & set up camp

    12pm ? 8pm    Beer Garden on 6^th is open to public and RR

    1pm ? 8pm    Beer Garden Music Starts

    4:30? 5:30pm     RR Cyclist Seminar at Community Center or Beer Garden

June 16th

    6am ? 9am     Breakfast at Fellin Park & School

    8am ?10am     Cyclist ride to Durango

Ouray Ride the Rockies - Community and Business LOGISTICS

Volunteers

There are several Team Leaders that are the "go to" people from our community. They will be all over town on the 15^th overseeing volunteers and answering questions.

• Joyce Linn (Parking) - linncolo@yahoo.com
  
• Paul Choate (Food/Beer Garden) - outlaw4366@gmail.com
  
• Priscilla Sherman (Zero Waste Program) - priscilla.sherman@gmail.com
  
• Susan Lander (Info booth in Fellin Park) - srlander@ouraynet.com
  
• Mariah DeGear (Visitor's Center) ? ouray@ouraycolorado.com
  
• Rick Noll (City & Parks) - nollr@ci.ouray.co.us
  
• Nick Shaffer (Ouray School) - nschafer@ouray.k12.co.us
  
• Patrick Rondinelli (City) - rondinellip@ci.ouray.co.us
  
• Karen Avery (Beer Garden, RR logistics) - boxcanyonlodge@gmail.com
  

There are also over 200 Volunteers ? they will be wearing BLUE RR shirts

Event Logistics

• Shuttles will be circulating around the city of Ouray and transporting people to and from the town of Ridgway
  
  • Shuttle service will run from 9:30am ? 10pm on June 15^th.
    
  • No Shuttle service on the 16^th
    
  • Ouray Shuttle stops are located at the following areas:
    
    • Rotary Park
      
    • Fellin Park
      
    • Ouray School
      
    • 7^th Ave & 2^nd St.
      
    • Corner of 6^th Ave & 2^nd Ave ? in front of Comfort Inn
      
    • Box Canyon Falls 3^rd Ave Entrance
      
    • 6^th Ave & Main
      
• Shuttle Maps for Ouray and Ridgway are available at the Information Booths located at Fellin Park & Main St & 7^th Ave
  
• Additional Parking will be at the following locations: Rotary Park, Jossi Ranch, Biota Building & side streets in town
  
• Restrooms will be located at Beer Garden (Port o Pots) & at Fellin Park
  
• Luggage will be dropped off at Fellin Park & School
  
• Camping Site is located at Fellin Park
  
• Bike Security will be located at Fellin Park (old tennis courts) & School ? there will be 24 hr bike security provided
  
• Lost and Found is located at the RR info booth at Fellin Park
  
• Drinking Water Stations will be located all around town and provided by Alpine Beverage Distributers, Deep Rock Water
  

For more detailed information, please contact one of the Team Leaders, listed above or the Visitor's Center 325 ? 4746.

TONIGHT - Wed. June 9- Business After Hours- Wildflower Boutique and Khristopher's
Culinaire Join Dee and Khris for a special summer evening Business After Hours- lighting up Ouray's very own LoDo.  325-4089 for more information.

Jeep Ticket Update

For businesses that are selling Jeep Tickets, Patricia Sullivan will be coming by on Fridays & Mondays to pick up and deliver tickets. If you have too many tickets or need more, please call (970) 318-8469

Call for Photography Entries?

June 1-24

Photography entries accepted for San Juan Memories juried photography

Exhibit at the Ouray County Historical Museum (OCHS).

• Prizes awarded for First ($75),
  
• Second ($50)
  
• Third ($25)
  
• People's Choice Award ($25).
  

Interested applicants may submit no more than 3 entries; $5 per photo

Entry fee; ribbon winners from the past may not submit any previous

Prize-winning photo, all entries must be framed and received at the OCHS

Museum at the top of 6th Ave in Ouray by June 24.

For more information call 325-4576, or go online to ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org.

Below info has been provided on behalf of the USFS, Ouray Trail Group, Switzerland of America and the Visitors Center Staff. Updated May 24^th.

OURAY COUNTY

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ROADS

2010

OPEN

Blue Lakes Trailhead (CR 7)

Brown Mountain

Corkscrew

County Road 9 (Box Factory)

Engineer

Owl Creek

Ophir

Red Mountain Town (CR 31)    

Yankee Boy Basin

CLOSED

Cow Creek

Governor's Basin

Imogene Pass

June 7: Railroad Restoration Week

Ridgway Railroad Museum's annual Railroad Restoration Week will be held June 7 ? 11 this year. Local railroad history enthusiasts will join with several rail fans from around the nation to work on the museum's collection of railcars and buildings. "We always need help with our preservation mission," said museum president Karl Schaeffer, "and anyone wishing to join us during this work week will be welcome. We'll be continuing our restoration of RGS Galloping Goose 4, painting the caboose, and doing detail painting on RGS Motor 1, the outbuilding and main museum building, among other tasks. The more helpers we have, the more we can accomplish. In past years we have completed a phenomenal amount of work in these one-week sessions ? for example, one year we completely replaced all of the exterior wood on the caboose, put on a new roof, and painted it, all in one week. The museum provides most of the tools and lunch each day, so all the workers need to bring is enthusiasm."

**Disclaimer: The Chamber Chat is a courtesy service.  Our goal is to be short and readable with pass-along information and reminders requested from members. This service is being provided in lieu of forwarding e-mails directly to you. Thank you for reading our chat!

CONGRATULATIONS!

People's Choice- Best of the

 TASTE OF OURAY COUNTY WINNERS

BEST MAIN DISH ~ BON TON RESTAURANT (37 votes)

                                                Runner Up ~ Outlaw (27 votes)

                                                Runner Up ~ Silver Nugget (18 votes)

BEST APPETIZER ~ COACHLIGHT (21 votes)

                                                Runner Up ~ The Saloon (17 votes)

                                                Runner Up ~ Outlaw (13 votes)

BEST DESSERT ~ THE SALOON @ THE HISTORIC WESTERN HOTEL (36 votes)

                                                Runner up ~ Red Mountain Inn (35 votes)

                                                Runner Up ~ Coachlight (24 votes)

We also must mention the Silver Nugget for getting the most improved comments

& recognition as a new upcoming star!

Thanks to all of the volunteers and support for this wonderful event!

IN THIS ISSUE:      

• Feature: Call For Entry!
  
• Jeep Road report from the Forest Service
  
• Jeep Scholarship awarded to Benjamin Anderson!
  
• Railroad Museum Restoration Week- Volunteers to work w. restoration experts!
  
• Business Roundtable ? Everything Ride the Rockies,
  

     Answers to All Your Questions, June 8^th

• BAH- Wilderflower Botique & Khristopher's Culinaire, June 9^th
  
  
• Ride the Rockies is HERE,  June 15^th
  
  
• Links to members
  
• Updated OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS contact list
  

See the attached document for details!

For an updated and online CALENDER OF EVENTS,

check out www.ouraycolorado.com

Feature: Feature:  Call for Entry!

June 1-24 Photography entries accepted for San Juan Memories juried  photography exhibit at the Ouray County Historical Museum (OCHS).  Prizes awarded for First ($75), Second  ($50) and Third ($25) places plus a People's Choice Award ($25). Interested applicants may submit no more than 3 entries; $5 per photo entry fee; ribbon winners from the past may not submit any previous prize-winning photo, all entries must be framed and received at the OCHS museum at the top of 6th Ave in Ouray by June 24. For more information call 325-4576, or go online to ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org.  

Below info has been provided on behalf of the USFS, Ouray Trail Group, Switzerland of America and the Visitors Center Staff. Updated May 24^th.

OURAY COUNTY

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ROADS

   2010  

OPEN

 Blue Lakes Trailhead (CR 7)

Brown Mountain

Corkscrew

County Road 9 (Box Factory)

Engineer

Owl Creek

Red Mountain Town (CR 31)   

Yankee Boy Basin

 CLOSED

Cow Creek

Governor's Basin

Imogene Pass

Jeep Ticket Sales have started, May 7^th  

This year the jeep scholarship was awarded to Mr. Benjamin Anderson! Benjamin will be attending the University of Colorado School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He is the son of Lincoln and Heather Anderson of Ouray.  

Please remember-  Jeep ticket sales pay for 100%

             4^th of July and New Years fireworks,

                          $1000 student scholarship

                                      NEW 2010 JEEP   

                                                   Thank you all for your continued support!

June 7:
Railroad Restoration Week

Ridgway Railroad Museum's annual Railroad Restoration Week will be held June 7 ? 11 this year.  Local railroad history enthusiasts will join with several railfans from around the nation to work on the museum's collection of railcars and buildings.  "We always need help with our preservation mission," said museum president Karl Schaeffer, "and anyone wishing to join us during this work week will be welcome.  We'll be continuing our restoration of RGS Galloping Goose 4, painting the caboose, and doing detail painting on RGS Motor 1, the outbuilding and main museum building, among other tasks.  The more helpers we have, the more we can accomplish.  In past years we have completed a phenomenal amount of work in these one-week sessions ? for example, one year we completely replaced all of the exterior wood on the caboose, put on a new roof, and painted it, all in one week.  The museum provides most of the tools and lunch each day, so all the workers need to bring is enthusiasm."

               Although walk-ins are welcome, anyone planning to help should contact Schaeffer at 626-4373 for planning purposes.

Wed. June 9- Business RoundTable ? Everything Ride the Rockies

Answers to all your important questions about the event and planning for next seasons BRT meetings.  Ouray Community Center, 8am ? 9:30am.

Wed. June 9- Business After Hours- Wildflower Boutique and Khristopher's Culinaire Join Dee and Khris for a special summer evening Business After Hours-  lighting up Ouary's very own LoDo.  325-4089 for more information.

Requested links for the chamber chat:

·                    City of Ouray: (view City Council Agendas prior to the meetings)   

              www.cityofouray.com

·                    Jeep road condition updates: http://soajeep.com/custom1.shtml

·                    Newspapers: Ouray Plaindealer and Ridgway Sun - www.ouraynews.com;

·                    Ouray County Watch- www.watchnewspapers.com 

·                    Ouray Chamber Resort Association (OCRA) ? www.ouraycolorado.com

·                    Ouray County Performing Arts Guild (OCPAG) ? www.ocpag.org

·                    Ouray County Arts Association (OOAA) ? www.ourayarts.org

·                    Ouray County Historical Society: www.ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org

·                    Ouray Ice Park: http://www.ourayicepark.com

·                    Ouray Trail Group  - www.ouraytrails.org

·                    Painting Marmot Art Supply and Art School www.paintingmarmotart.com

·                    Rays Good Stuff, jerky, jellies and more http://raysgoodstuff.com

·                    San Juan Mountain Guides: New Classes  www.ourayclimbing.com/

·                    Weehawken  Creative Arts (WCA) ? www.weehawkenarts.org

·                    Yankee Boy Conservation Association: http://www.yankeeboy.org

·                    Ouray Beautification Committee: Committee meetings - monthly, the second Wednesday, beginning at 3:30 PM in the Community Center's San Juan   Room.

**Disclaimer: The Chamber Chat is a courtesy service.  Our goal is to be short and readable with pass-along information and reminders requested from members. This service is being provided in lieu of forwarding e-mails directly to you. Thank you for reading our chat!

Does your business or restaurant feature products made or grown in Colorado? If so, then show your Colorado Pride and check out the Colorado Proud website (a division of the Colorado Dept. of Agriculture) www.co.marketmaker.uiuc.edu, for FREE marketing tools.

IN THIS ISSUE:      

• Campground, Jeep AND Hiking trail updates
  
• Business Openings- Updated as of May 25^th
  
  
• Jeep Ticket Sales have begun & Jeep Scholarship to be awarded at graduation
  
• County's Town Hall presentation of the proposed revisions to the Visual Impact section of the Land Use Code May 27^th!
  
• 3/50 Project " Eat Down the Street" Meeting, May 27^th  RIDGWAY
  
• Story Block Bldg, OPEN HOUSE May 29^th, 9 - 5pm
  
• HWY 550 Closure May 29^th  for the Iron Horse Bike Race
  
• Taste of Ouray County, June 2^nd , 5 ? 8pm
  
• BAH- Wilderflower Botique & Khristopher's Culinaire, June 9^th
  
  
• Ride the Rockies comes to town update, June 15^th
  
  
• Links to members
  
• Updated OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS contact list
  

See the attached document for details!

For an updated and online CALENDER OF EVENTS,

check out www.ouraycolorado.com

Feature:

You are invited to the "Billy Goat's Summer Opening!" on Friday, May 28 at 5:00pm. "12 kegs of beer, Artisan Bakery pretzels, new menu and fabulous Ouray views.....need we say more?

Come help us open up for the summer season! Swing by this Memorial weekend and start summer off with a Liter at the Garten!

Event: Billy Goat's Summer Opening!

Start Time: Friday, May 28 at 5:00pm

End Time: Saturday, May 29 at 7:00pm

Where: Billy Goat Gruff's Biergarten

Bistro to Open Friday June 4th!".  

Below info has been provided on behalf of the USFS, Ouray Trail Group, Switzerland of America and the Visitors Center Staff. Updated May 24^th.

CAMPGROUNDS:

4 ? J, OPEN

Ridgway State Park OPEN

Webbers OPEN
Amphitheater CG - open w/water
Beaver Lake CG - open/no water
Angel Creek CG - open/no fees/no services (until Memorial Weekend)
SilverJack CG - open/no water yet
Thistledown CG - open/no fees/no services (until Memorial Weekend)

HIKING:

Bear Creek Trail -  Cleared of trees all the way to Grizzly Bear Mine.  Past the mine there is at least one gravel wash out area ? be careful there, can be dangerous.  Difficult to get to the Yellow Jacket Mine at this point.

Baldy- Clear of trees and snow. There is snow about 200 yards before the baldy peak junction.and after the junction for 3 or 4 hundred yards until the meadow where it is clear to the top. the Baldy ridge trail is full of snow.

Chief Ouray Trail- Cleared to just past the cliff. North facing is still snow covered.

Ice Lake Trail ?Snow in the tree areas, but the Lower Basin is doable.  Trail is difficult at this time.  The Upper Basin is NOT to be hiked yet ? lots of snow there.  For info, call Ron, Public Lands Office, Silverton, at 970-387-5530; his address in Silverton is 1246 Blair St.

Oak Creek Trail- Clear to the junction and 1/ 2mile towards twin peaks. Snow covered for the rest of the way.

Perimeter Trail- OPEN

JEEPING

OPEN

Yankee Boy Basin

Animas Forks and Cinnamon Pass is open now to Lake City. C.R. 2 from Silverton

CLOSED

Blue Lakes Trailhead (CR 7)

Brown Mountain

Corkscrew

Cow Creek

Engineer

Governor's Basin

Imogene Pass

Owl Creek

Red Mountain Town (WORK BEGINNING 5/10) 

SPRING OPRNINGS:

Restaurants:

·       Backstreet Bagel OPEN

·       Billy Goat's, OPEN Memorial weekend. Closed Monday. 

·       Billy Goat's Biergarten-   Open Friday, May 28! The Biergarten will be open 7 days a week. Check out Thursty Thursdays.  

·       Bon Ton OPEN- closed Tue. & Wed. until Memorial weekend. Then open 7 days.

·       Buen Tiempo OPEN 7 days a week, lunch on Sat & Sun.

·       Bulow's Bistro OPEN for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

·       Café' Ouray OPEN for lunches only.  Start Memorial Day, everyday 7am to 10pm.

·       Coachlight Restaurant OPEN seven days a week

·       Coachlight Tavern OPEN seven days a week

·       Hot Springs Swim and Snack OPEN 7 days a week

·       Outlaw OPEN Tues- Sun, closed on Mondays until Memorial Day 

·       The Saloon at the Historic Western Hotel OPEN, 5pm for dinner, 7 days a week

SEASONAL BUSINESSES:

Bachelor Syracuse Mine Tour OPEN

Breakfast start Memorial Day weekend 

The Box Cañon Falls Park and Visitor Center OPEN

May 8^th ? 28^th , 9  - 5 pm daily

May 29^th - Sept 6^th  (Labor Day) 8- 8pm daily

Sept 7^th  - late October, 8am to dusk

Ouray** County** Historical Society OPEN

Ouray Mule and Carriage OPEN

Peak to Peak Bicycles OPEN 

Ranch History Museum OPEN Sunday, May 30^th,  1-5 p.m., FREE ADMISION Located in the historic Colona School ¼ mi. west of Hwy. 550 on Ouray County Rd 1  The museum OPEN every Sunday afternoon through September. Storytelling at 3 p.m.

Info: 970 626-5075.

San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours OPEN

Switzerland of America OPEN

Jeep Ticket Sales have started, May 7^th  

CONTACT: TRICIA (970) 318-8469

Tickets will be distributed by Patricia Sullivan starting May 7^th.   Patricia will be responsible for all pick up and drop off of tickets and funds. If you did not sell tickets last year and would like to sell tickets, please contact the chamber and we will be happy to add you to our list of vendors.

Please remember-  Jeep ticket sales pay for 100%

             4^th of July and New Years fireworks,

                          $1000 student scholarship

                                      NEW 2010 JEEP   

                                                   Thank you all for your continued support!

May 27: County's Town Hall presentation of the proposed revisions to the Visual Impact section of the Land Use Code will take place this upcoming Thursday at 6:30pm at the 4H Event Center in Ridgway. The County will be presenting information regarding the current Section 9, and the proposed changes, and will then solicit public input in the form of a written survey and open comments. The goal is to get as much information out there as possible, prior to sending the draft document to Planning Commission for their review and public hearing process.  All public comments will be submitted to the Planning Commission before they begin their work on the document, so this is a great time to hear what the proposal is, and to make fruitful comments at this stage in the process.  Even if you don't think you have an opinion, it will be a great chance to learn more about how the County has historically handled Visual Impact Regulations, and to understand what some of the underlying issues are. I'll look forward to seeing you there!

Heidi Albritton, BOCC District 3

 May 27^th 8:30 am Ouray County Supports the 3/50 Project- Meeting , RIDGWAY
The 3/50 project will be at the Taste of Ouray County to support our restaurants with the "Eat Down the Street" campaign. Please join us this Thursday in Ridgway to find out more information on supporting our local Ouray County Restaurant Community.

May 29^th
HWY 550 Closure for the Iron Horse Bike Race

US Highway 550 both north and south closed from Silverton to Durango Mountain Resort from 8am ? 1pm,  Sat May 29th. 

This is the 12^th year for the road closure. The permit is applied for by the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic and approved by the Colorado State Patrol. www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com Contact: Patti Zink- 970-247-0206

May 29^th
OPEN HOUSE, Story Block Building

Check out the latest addition to Main street's Residential & Commercial community.  Saturday, May 29^th 9 ? 5pm.  For more information and details call (970) 729 ? 2268.

June 2? Taste of Ouray County 5 ? 8pm, Ouray Community Center, 320 6^th Ave

Local chef's and restaurants. Music by Yvonne Meeks, brews by Colorado Boy and Mr. Grumpy Pants Brewing Company!  Vote for the Best of Taste of Ouray County!  Come give your taste buds a real treat! Hosted by the Ouray Chamber Resort Association. Information at www.ouraycolorado.com or 325-4746.

Wed. June 9- Business After Hours- Wildflower Boutique and Khristopher's Culinaire Join Dee and Khris for a special summer evening Business After Hours-  lighting up Ouary's very own LoDo.  325-4089 for more information.

*Disclaimer: The Chamber Chat is a courtesy service.  Our goal is to be short and readable with pass-along information and reminders requested from members. This service is being provided in lieu of forwarding e-mails directly to you. Thank you for reading our chat!

 The chamber chat is full of seasonal openings including trails and businesses, meetings. etc. For more details on events, please review the calendar at OurayColorado.com! There is a lot going on such as the Ouray Elks Annual Rummage Sale, May 28 ? 31.

IN THIS ISSUE: ????? 

• Welcome New OCRA Board of Director's member!
  
• Paving update from the city!
  
• Campground, Jeep AND Hiking trail updates.
  
• Business Openings- Updated as of 05/20/2010
  
• Jeep Ticket Sales have begun! Jeep Scholarship to be awarded at graduation!
  
• Payroll: The Process in A Nutshell, GJ Business Incubator Center, 5/25/10
  
• The Alpine Triangle Coalition to meet. Be informed!
  
• Visitors Center USFS, Volunteers and Ouray Trail Group Training.
  
• 3/50 Project meeting- and the beat goes on- G.A.S- just ask!
  
• Taste of Ouray will be hosted 06/02/2010
  
• Last BAH for the summer- Wilderflower Botique & Khristopher's Culinaire
  
• Ride the Rockies comes to town- June 15!  Be prepared!
  
• Links to members
  
• OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  
•  For many current Calendar of Event items, please see OurayColorado.com
  

New BOD Member Info: Rob Megna of Backstreet Bagel resigned from the BOD in order to spend more time on the growth of his business Backstreet Bistro! Lezah Saunders with Ouray Mule and Carriage has welcomed the opportunity to fill Rob's shoes on the BOD and complete his term. Thank you Lezah!

Paving update from the city!

All,

 I just met with the project managers from CDOT and United.  They informed me that due to the weather delay on Tuesday, they are a day behind on the paving schedule.  We discussed the options available to us and have decided that paving operations will continue this weekend on Saturday.  Our biggest concern is to have all the project completed before Memorial Day weekend.  In order to regain the lost day, and to ensure there is enough cure time in the asphalt so that the in-laid striping can occur, the work will need to take place on Saturday. 

It will only be for Saturday and will only be the center lane of Main Street.  All parking and driving lanes will be completed tomorrow, so there should be no parking issues or traffic delays.  The only delays that may exist will be at the intersections, only impacting traffic turning out at the intersection, until the paving has passed through, and for trucks to enter or exit.  The crews will do all they can to ensure any impacts are as minimal as possible. 

I apologize for this change in plans and for the inconveniences that people have experienced over the past few weeks.  However, I think everyone would agree that it was a needed project, and more importantly, it needed to be completed before the important holiday weekend.

If there are any further updates, I will pass them along.

Patrick

Patrick Rondinelli

City Administrator

Ouray, CO

5/20/10- Below info has been provided on behalf of the USFS, Ouray Trail Group,  Switzerland of America and the Visitors Center Staff. Thank you for the updates!

Campgrounds:

4 J- OPEN

Ridgway State Park- OPEN year round.

Webbers: OPEN

Local USFS:

Beaver Lake and Amphitheater Campgrounds are open.  Loop 1 of Silver Jack will be opening this weekend.  Loops 2 and 3 are closed pending the removal of a large number of down trees.  Big Cimarron Campground is closed until its toilet is replaced sometime in the next several weeks.  Angel Creek and Thistledown Campgrounds are open with no services (or fees) until Memorial Day weekend.

USFS: Please direct visitors to our website for site-specific information: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/gmug/recreation/unc_camping.shtml.  Note that the status information on the website may not be current.

Hiking:

Bear Creek Trail -  Cleared of trees all the way to Grizzly Bear Mine.  Past the mine there is at least one gravel wash out area ? be careful there, can be dangerous.  Difficult to get to the Yellow Jacket Mine at this point.

Baldy-
Clear of trees and snow. There is snow about 200 yards before the baldy peak junction.and after the junction for 3 or 4 hundred yards until the meadow where it is clear to the top. the Baldy ridge trail is full of snow.

Chief Ouray Trail- Cleared to just past the cliff. North facing is still snow covered.

Ice Lake Trail ?Snow in the tree areas, but the Lower Basin is doable.  Trail is difficult at this time.  The Upper Basin is NOT to be hiked yet ? lots of snow there.  For info, call Ron, Public Lands Office, Silverton, at 970-387-5530; his address in Silverton is 1246 Blair St.

Oak Creek Trail- Clear to the junction and 1/ 2mile towards twin peaks. Snow covered for the rest of the way.

Perimeter Trail- OPEN

JEEPING

OPEN

Yankee Boy Basin

Animas Forks and Cinnamon Pass is open now to Lake City.< C.R. 2 from Silverton>

CLOSED

Blue Lakes Trailhead (CR 7)

Brown Mountain

Corkscrew

Cow Creek

Engineer

Governor's Basin

Imogene Pass

Owl Creek

Red Mountain Town (WORK BEGINNING 5/10) 

Spring Openings!

Restaurants:

?       Backstreet Bagel is OPEN

?       Billy Goat's, open by Memorial weekend. Closed on Monday. 

?       Billy Goat's Biergarten- open by Memorial weekend. The Biergarten will be open 7 days a week. Thirsty Thursdays are definitely on! Menus changes AND Artisan Bakery pretzels!

?       Bon Ton is OPEN- closed Tue. & Wed. until Memorial weekend. Then open 7 days.

?       Buen Tiempo is OPEN 7 days a week. Open for lunch on Sat & Sun.

?       Bulow's Bistro
will OPEN Memorial Day.

?       Café' Ouray OPEN for lunches only.  Memorial Day weekend through all of summer we will be open from 7am to 10pm everyday.

?       Coachlight Restaurant will open for the summer season on May 22, 2010 7 days a week.

?       Coachlight Tavern OPEN 7 days a week 

?       Hot Springs Swim and Snack is OPEN 7 days a week

?       Outlaw OPEN Tues- Sun.? closed on Mondays until Memorial - will start opening at 4:30 on Friday of Memorial Day weekend. 

?       The Saloon at the Historic Western Hotel will open May 14th for dinner every day from 5 to close. June lunch hours will be posted soon.

Seasonal Businesses:

Bachelor Syracuse Mine Tour- OPENS May 13. Breakfast will begin Memorial Day             weekend. 

The Box Cañon Falls Park and Visitor Center OPEN The hours are as follows:

 May 8 through May 28 - 9 am to 5 pm daily

 May 29 through September 6 (Labor Day) ? 8 am to 8 pm daily

 September 7 through late October ? 8 am to dusk

Ouray** County** Historical Society OPEN for the Summer Season ?*

Ouray Mule and Carriage- OPEN

Peak to Peak Bicycles- OPEN Rentals and service!

San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours: OPEN

Switzerland of America:
 OPEN

Jeep Ticket Sales have begun!! May 7^th!-   Tricia- cell 970-318-8469

Tickets will be distributed by Patricia Sullivan starting May 7.   Patricia will be responsible for all pick up and drop off of tickets and funds. If you did not sell tickets last year and would like to sell tickets, please contact the chamber and we will be happy to add you to our list of vendors. Please remember-  Jeep ticket sales pay for 100% of the 4^th of July and New Years fireworks, a $1000 student scholarship and a new jeep (yes, we have to buy it).  Thank you all for your continued support!

May 25 ? Payroll: The Process in a Nutshell, Grand Junction Business Incubator Center

Hiring your first employee can be an exciting, but confusing adventure if you've never done payroll before. This class is designed to help the average small business owner understand the basic process and forms, including how to avoid common pitfalls by paying payroll liabilities in a timely manner. 9am ? 11:30am, $50
GJ Business Incubator Center

2591 B 3/4 Road

Grand Junction, CO 81503

(970) 243-5242

May 26^th- The Alpine Triangle Coalition

Be Informed.  Engage in the discussion. Please join us for an informational meeting on the Alpine Triangle Campaign.

Come learn more about this grassroots led, citizen-driven effort to protect the long-term economic, recreational, historical and sporting values of one of our most important regional multi-use public land resources.

Sponsored by:

City of Ouray, Ouray Chamber Resort Association

Gunnison Gorge Anglers and Trout Unlimited

When:  Wednesday, May 26th 2010 at 6:30PM

Where:  Ouray Community Center

For information call: Tony Chelf at (970) 596-4697

or Ty Churchwell at (970) 903-3010  www.alpinetriangle.com

June 1- Visitors Center USFS, Volunteers and Ouray Trail Group Training-  held at the Ouray Community Center 12:30- 3:30.  Lunch will be served at noon for Visitors Center Volunteers. Please join the chamber for an informational session covering the following topics: OHV rules and regs, permits and misc. info, OTG trail updates,  Search and Rescue Cards- what do they cover? Dispersed camping- where can you go? Ridgway State Park- accessible hiking, Visitors Center Resources and more! This meeting is open to all members of the community. Hosted by the Ouray Chamber and the Montrose USFS office

June 2? Taste of Ouray ??Local chef's and restaurants. Music by Yvonne Meeks, brews by Colorado Boy and Mr. Grumpy Pants Brewing Company!  Vote for the Best of Taste of Ouray!  Come give your taste buds a real treat! 5-8 pm Ouray Community Center, 320 6th Ave. Info: www.ouraycolorado.com or 325-4746. Hosted by the Ouray Chamber Resort Association.

June 2, 2010- 9:30 am Ouray County Supports the 3/50 Project- Meeting
Ridgway Town Hall Open to all who support local services, shops and local living!
What services and supplies can you get in Ouray County that is competitive in quality and price with out-of-town services and supplies? ? Example- Farm Fresh eggs are priced better at Khristopher's Culinaire then City Market and Smart Wool Socks are equal in price at Ouray Mnt. Sports and High Country Leathers as it is at Murdock's! Know the dollar value to our schools, roads and other county services that depend on local tax dollars. Meetings are held every other week- next meeting will be May 19 at the Ouray Community Center.  325-4746 for details.

Wed. June 9- Business After Hours- Wildflower Boutique and Khristopher's Culinaire Join Dee and Khris for a special summer evening Business After Hours-  lighting up Ouary's very own LoDo! 325-4089 for more information.

**Disclaimer: The Chamber Chat is a courtesy service.  Our goal is to be short and readable with pass-along information and reminders requested from members. This service is being provided in lieu of forwarding e-mails directly to you. Thank you for reading our chat!

The chamber chat is full of workshop opportunities and meetings.  However, please review the community calendar at OurayColorado.com. There is a lot going on such as Weehawken's spring performance: "Golden Ticket" and the "Dedication of the Chief Ouray Bust" at OCHS. See OurayColorado.com for details! Link our calendar to yours! It's a google thing.

IN THIS ISSUE: ????? 

• Jeep Road Conditions Report- compliments of Switzerland of America.
  
• Attached- GMUG Forest Service Gates- opening when?
  
• Spring Closures/ Summer Openings- Updated as of 05/12/2010
  
• Jeep Ticket Sales have begun! Jeep Scholarship to be awarded at graduation!
  
• Workshop- "The Value of Public Relations"
  
• Dedication of Chief Ouray Bust
  
• Business After Hours-
  Blue Pear- DATE CHANGE May 18!
  
• Business Round Table- Empowering your employees!
  
• 3/50 Project meeting- and the beat goes on!
  
• Taste of Ouray will be hosted 06/02/2010
  
• Last BAH for the summer- Wilderflower Botique and Khristopher's Culinaire
  
• Ride the Rockies comes to town- June 15!  Be prepared!
  
• Links to members
  
• OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  
•  For current members Calendar of Event items, please see OurayColorado.com
  

Jeep Road Conditions Report- compliments of Switzerland of America.

05/07/2010:

Yankee Boy Basin has been cleared and widened to the Twin Falls. Please be advised: we are not recommending travel into the basin for several more days as the warm weather and spring run-off are causing large rock cascades onto the trail. By next week, with continued dry weather, the trail should be safe for public travel. We anticipate county crews to move equipment to Engineer next week.

 Brandy

 Spring Openings! (Please send us your information! Thank you.)

Restaurants:

?       Backstreet Bagel is CLOSED May 10- 20th to move to their new location.

?       Billy Goat's, both the Bistro and the Biergarten  will open by Memorial weekend. The Biergarten will be open 7 days a week. The Bistro will close on Monday.  Thirsty Thursdays are definitely on! Menus changes AND Artisan Bakery pretzels!

?       Bon Ton is OPEN- closed Tue. & Wed. until Memorial weekend. Then open 7 days.

?       Buen Tiempo is OPEN 7 days a week. Open for lunch on Sat & Sun.

?       Bulow's Bistro will OPEN Memorial Day.

?       Café' Ouray will OPEN Monday, May 3 for lunches only.  Memorial Day weekend through all of summer we will be open from 7am to 10pm everyday.

?       Coachlight Tavern OPEN 7 days a week  Coachlight Restaurant will open for the summer season on May 22, 2010 7 days a week.

?       Hot Springs Swim and Snack is OPEN 7 days a week

?       Outlaw OPEN Tues- Sun.? closed on Mondays until Memorial - will start opening at 4:30 on Friday of Memorial Day weekend. 

?       The Saloon at the Historic Western Hotel will open May 14th for dinner every day from 5 to close. June lunch hours will be posted soon.

Seasonal Businesses:

Bachelor Syracuse Mine Tour- OPENS May 13. Breakfast will begin Memorial Day weekend. 

The Box Cañon Falls Park and Visitor Center OPEN The hours are as follows:

 May 8 through May 28 - 9 am to 5 pm daily

 May 29 through September 6 (Labor Day) ? 8 am to 8 pm daily

 September 7 through late October ? 8 am to dusk

Ouray** County** Historical Society OPEN for the Summer Season ?*

San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours: OPEN

Switzerland of America:
 OPENS May 16^th (Barring any further huge snow storms).

Jeep Ticket Sales have begun!! May 7^th!-  Tickets will be distributed by Patricia Sullivan starting May 7.   Patricia will be responsible for all pick up and drop off of tickets and funds. If you did not sell tickets last year and would like to sell tickets, please contact the chamber and we will be happy to add you to our list of vendors. Please remember-  Jeep ticket sales pay for 100% of the 4^th of July and New Years fireworks, a $1000 student scholarship and a new jeep (yes, we have to buy it).  Thank you all for your continued support!

May 14: "The Value of Public Relations"- Delta-Montrose Tech Center. 970-874-7671.

8:30-1:00- $30 includes box lunch.

- Working with the new media

- Developing your organization's image and reputation.

- What makes for a story?

- Integration of social media

- Hosting members of the news media.

This event is hosted by Ore commutations (OCRA's PR partners!)

RSVP: kelli@westerncolorado.org or call 970-874-9532

 Chief Ouray focus of May 14, 15 museum events

Celebrate our local history with OCHS! A ceremony to dedicate Jim Opdahl's bronze sculpture of Chief Ouray will take place on Saturday, May 15, 10 a.m. on the Ouray County Historical Museum grounds at the top of 6th Avenue in Ouray. 

The ceremony will include a full program of remarks by Ouray Mayor Bob Risch and Ouray County Commissioner, Heidi Albritton, a blessing by Chief Ouray's descendent, Roland McCook, a dance demonstration as well as children's activities in the afternoon by Ute Indian Museum director, CJ Brafford. 

Special Indian Fry Bread will be made on site 10 a.m. -1:30 p.m. ? stop by for a special treat for lunch! Helen Herrera of "Grandma Helen's Indian Frybread" is a member of the Apache Indian nation and makes her popular frybread dough with amaranth flour.

The evening before the ceremony, Roland McCook will give a historical talk at 7:00 p.m. at the Ouray Community Center. McCook is a direct descendent of both Chipeta's and Ouray's  family bloodlines.  His talk will focus on the
"Four Mile Reserve" a strip of land around the sacred Ute hot springs that Chief Ouray argued so passionately to keep during the 1870s era treaty negotiations. He will also discuss the way the Utes lived in the Uncompahgre Valley before their removal in 1880. 

This is an excellent opportunity for students, local history buffs and everyone who hikes and skis our local mountains to get an enlightening look at our local history from the perspective of a member of the Ute Nation.

Admission for both the dedication and McCook's evening talk is free and open to the entire community. Admission to our the museum will be free from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information call 325-4576, or go online to ourayhistoricalsociety.org.

May 18 - Business After Hours-
Blue Pear - 5:30 ? 7:30, 450 Main St, Ouray , 325-0450, thebluepear@yahoo.com. Dip into the hip! See what Blue Pear has been up to with new inventory and goodies to snack on!

 May 19- Business Round Table- Empowering your employees! 8am. Ouray Community Center. Sponsored by the Community Development Committee.

 May 19, 2010- 9:30 am Ouray County Supports the 3/50 Project- Meeting
Ouray Community Center, Open to all who support local services, shops and local living!
What services and supplies can you get in Ouray County that are competitive with out-of-town services and supplies? Know the dollar value to our schools, roads and other county services that depend on local  tax dollars. Meetings are held every other week- next meeting will be May 19 at the Ouray Community Center.  325-4746 for details.

June 2 ? Taste of Ouray
? Taste of Ouray ?Local chef's and restaurants. Music by Yvonne Meeks, brews by Colorado Boy and Mr. Grumpy Pants Brewing Company!  Vote for the Best of Taste of Ouray!  Come give your taste buds a real treat! 5-8 pm Ouray Community Center, 320 6th Ave. Info: www.ouraycolorado.com or 325-4746. Hosted by the Ouray Chamber Resort Association.

Wed. June 9- Business After Hours-
Wildflower Boutique and Khristopher's Culinaire Join Dee and Khris for a special summer evening Business After Hours-  lighting up Ouary's very own LoDo! 325-4089 for more information.

Requested links for the chamber chat:

?                    City of Ouray: (view City Council Agendas prior to the meetings)   

              www.cityofouray.com

?                    Jeep road condition updates: http://soajeep.com/custom1.shtml

?                    Newspapers: Ouray Plaindealer and Ridgway Sun - www.ouraynews.com;

?                    Ouray County Watch- www.watchnewspapers.com 

?                    Ouray Chamber Resort Association (OCRA) ? www.ouraycolorado.com

?                    Ouray County Performing Arts Guild (OCPAG) ? www.ocpag.org

?                    Ouray County Arts Association (OOAA) ? www.ourayarts.org

?                    Ouray County Historical Society: www.ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org

?                    Ouray Ice Park: http://www.ourayicepark.com

?                    Ouray Trail Group  - www.ouraytrails.org

?                    Painting Marmot Art Supply and Art School www.paintingmarmotart.com

?                    Rays Good Stuff, jerky, jellies and more. The perfect gift! http://raysgoodstuff.com

?                    San Juan Mountain Guides: New Classes  www.ourayclimbing.com/

?                    Weehawken  Creative Arts (WCA) ? www.weehawkenarts.org

?                    Yankee Boy Conservation Association: http://www.yankeeboy.org

?                    Ouray Beautification Committee: Committee meetings - monthly, the second Wednesday, beginning at 3:30 PM in the Community Center's San Juan   Room.

2010 OCRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS