The arrival and availability of COVID vaccines brought a gradual end to most of the state’s pandemic restrictions on businesses and gatherings, allowing Ouray County restaurants, stores and events to resume nearly-normal operations by the middle of 2021, after more than a year of constantly pivoting to keep up with changing rules.

When the year started, Ouray County businesses were limited to 25% capacity under the state’s color dial system of pandemic restrictions, prompting a campaign urgin...