John Wood was, in his words, “awestruck and gobsmacked” when he first laid eyes on Ouray nearly 20 years ago. It’s the place he wants to live the rest of his life, where he hopes one day one of his three children will return to run the family business.

But for that to happen, the owner of KJ Wood Distillers wants to see a city that thrives, not just survives, one where the City Council leads rather than reacts and seeks the advice and expertise of the citizenry.

It’s why the 48-year-old ...