By Caleb Stento
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In a special meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 7, the Ouray City Council decided to reject a proposed settlement of a lawsuit filed by Alpenhof, LLC, in a four to one vote with Councilman Richard Kersen the lone dissenter. City Administrator Patrick Rondinelli and City Attorney Kathryn Sellars had signed off on the settlement, pending acceptance by the council.
Alpenhof filed the suit in July 2011, shortly after council denied a preliminary development plan to subdivide and develop Parcel C of Ouray Vista Subdivision. The suit alleges denial of the plan was a taking of property without compensation. The city code states developers must mitigate natural and geologic hazards, but Alpenhof contends the hazard presented by Skyrocket Creek is man-made. The city constructed a dam and blasted a channel through rock to divert the creek from depositing debris in the hot springs pool, directing flow past Parcel C. The district court ordered that the parties attempt mediation before heading to trial.

by Mary Pat Haddock
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While Jack Flowers (R) was "prepared to work hard to find common sense solutions to the problems ahead," the voters of Ouray County chose to re-elect their District 1 County Commissioner, Lynn Padgett (D). Padgett won the race with 1655 votes to Flowers' 1512. Voting for county commissioners is county-wide, although candidates must live in the district.

By Caleb Stento

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In the closest of county commissioner races, Don Batchelder eked out a win over incumbent Patrick Willits by a margin of 55 votes in the District 3 race.
"I am honored to again have the opportunity to serve the citizens of Ouray County," Batchelder told the Plaindealer. "I would like to thank all those that supported me. And, I would like to reiterate the position that I’ve always held, that as commissioner I will represent all the citizens of Ouray County, and not just those that supported me."