Ouray City Council candidate Mike Hakola says he wants to ensure the city's tourism economy continues to prosper without becoming too commercialized. "I don't want this to be another Telluride," he said. Photo by Mike Wiggins
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Veteran, volunteer aiming for council
Between reserve and active duty, Mike Hakola spent 43 years serving his country in the U.S. Army, including two tours in Vietnam. Now, believing the city of Ouray is at a crossroads, he’s ready to serve as a member of the City Council.
The first-time office-seeker fell in love with southwestern Colorado in the 1970s during family vacations. He purchased some property in Bayfield in 1999, then found his next home during a drive through Ouray with his wife in the early 2000s.
“She took one loo...