By Sandy Barnes
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The City of Ouray is receiving $193,000 in state grant funds to acquire 24 acres of land encompassing the Ice Park off Hwy. 550. The city is planning to purchase the property from the U.S. Forest Service, a project that has been in the works for the past several years.
“The Ice Park is a huge benefit for the city,” said City Administrator Patrick Rondinelli, while discussing the importance of the land acquisition. Since its creation nearly 20 years ago, the Ice Park has become an international destination for climbers who travel to Ouray to scale the deep Uncompahgre Gorge and participate in the annual festival competition. The attention Ouray has received as a wintertime climbing venue has added a vital dimension to the city’s economy.
Once the land purchase is completed with the Forest Service, the city will oversee all the lands within the Ice Park. The city also will own most of the... park property, except for a portion belonging to Eric Jacobsen of Ouray Hydroelectric and a utility easement. Ouray Ice Park, Inc. will continue managing the park for the city.
“I can’t stress enough the support we’ve received from the local forest service, OIPI and Eric," Rondinelli remarked.
“The Forest Service has really struggled with the Ice Park,” which is not a typical use of land in its jurisdiction, said Rondinelli. The city has to get special permits from the Forest Service for its use and for the ice festival, he said. Also, the Ouray Police Department has a shooting range on the property, which will become a part of the city after the land purchase, he added.
“There is still a lot of paperwork that will need to be completed over the next couple of weeks, but I am hopeful that everything can be wrapped up by the end of January,” said Rondinelli.
The city is planning to add 50 new climbing routes to help address overcrowding and expand other recreational opportunities, both in winter and summertime. Taking advantage of the relatively flat terrain in the park, the city also is planning to create additional trails, which are ADA-accessible, according to GOCO information about the grant.
The Great Outdoors Colorado grant comprises a major portion of the $277,000 needed to purchase the property. The remaining funds will come from the city and OIPI, which  has pledged $6,000. The city’s net expense will be $43,000, according to City Administrator Patrick Rondinelli. Back in 2005 the city sold land in Yankee Boy Basin, and the funds of approximately $35,000 were earmarked for this purchase, said Rondinelli.
The grant is part of $5.9 million awarded in GOCO lottery funds to 27 projects throughout the state. The projects will enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, create plans for future projects and protect approximately 2,447 acres of open space. As the recipient of approximately half of Colorado lottery proceeds, GOCO awards grants to local governments and land trusts and makes investments through the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife.