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Letters, Opinion
September 18, 2024
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Where do Padgett, Niece stand on issues?

Dear Editor: Last July I sent the four questions listed below to the Ouray Board of County Commission candidates Padgett, Niece and Perkovich and also to Commissioner Nauer. Padgett, Niece and Nauer refused to answer.

Perkovich answered yes to all four questions. Without answers from Padgett and Niece, we can conclude they will not commit to any of the issues in the questions.

I’ve sent these questions to the Ouray Woman’s Club for their upcoming candidates’ forum in Ouray on Oct. 17. Hopefully Padgett and Niece will answer the questions to inform the citizens of Ouray County on where they stand on these important issues.

1. TABOR (Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights): If elected, will you commit to never ever supporting any tax increase that has any language to bypass TABOR, even if you support the tax increase goals?

2. Density: If elected, will you commit to never supporting any increase in density in unincorporated Ouray County?

3. Child care: If elected, will you commit to never using any of my tax dollars to fund child care?

4. Marijuana: If elected, will you commit to never changing the current Ouray County Marijuana Ordinance to allow any marijuana grow facilities in the North Mesa Zone and aggressively enforcing the ordinance county-wide?

Governor Polis asked all county governments to lower property taxes for 2024 and Padgett, Niece and Nauer all refused. The massive property tax increases we faced in 2024 were the direct result of the voters eliminating the Gallagher Amendment and the BOCC bypassing TABOR.

The current and past BOCC uses purposely obscure language in their tax increase ballot measures to bypass TABOR without ever mentioning TABOR. Over the years I have repeatedly asked the BOCC to not to bypass TABOR or explain that bypassing TABOR means no tax refunds for overcollection. The current and prior commissioners all refused. So much for an “open and honest county government.”

The busy Ouray County voters likely had no idea they were voting to give up their TABOR rights to refunds if more is collected than asked for in tax increase ballot measures. Would most voters know the following ballot language is giving up their TABOR rights?

AND SHALL THE LEVY AND EARNINGS THEREON BE COLLECTED, RETAINED, AND EXPENDED AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE WITHOUT LIMITATION OR CONDITION UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION AND COLORADO STATUTES 29-1-301 ET SEQ OR ANY OTHER LAW.

George Kerber

Log Hill Mesa

Ridgway hotel to convert to housing
Main, News...
Ridgway hotel to convert to housing
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Ridgway’s largest hotel plans to convert to construction and hotel workforce housing for a new Four Seasons development in Mountain Village for at least the next four years. MTN Lodge signed an agreem...
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With federal funds in limbo, Ouray seeks options to reduce wildfire danger
News
With federal funds in limbo, Ouray seeks options to reduce wildfire danger
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
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Ouray city leaders are exploring other ways to address dead, fallen trees littering neighborhoods and hillsides now that it's unclear when a large-scale, federally funded wildfire mitigation project w...
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News
Interim police chief retained through Dec. 31
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 10, 2025
Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer has extended the contract of Interim Police Chief Daric Harvey through the end of the year. Harvey was hired as the interim chief in March, replacing Sgt. Gar...
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City to hear public input on wayfinding sign solutions
News
City to hear public input on wayfinding sign solutions
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
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The Ouray City Council will hold a work session Monday to discuss possible solutions to concerns raised by residents and business owners about new wayfinding signs installed along Main Street earlier ...
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Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
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Dear Editor: The origin and theory behind the Space To Create movement is tied to the common phenomenon where creative individuals, looking for affordable and functional space, move into semi-industri...
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When things go wrong, help is quick to arrive
September 10, 2025
Dear Editor: While I was taking a walk in Fellin Park a couple of weeks ago, I was bitten by an off-leash, unvaccinated dog. Sometimes unfortunate things do happen. The dog's owner was responsive to t...
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Letters, Opinion...
Weiser for governor
September 10, 2025
Dear Editor: My wife and I support Attorney General Phil Weiser for governor of Colorado. He recently came to Ouray County to speak to citizens about his visions if he's elected governor. The affair w...
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Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Thanks, first responders
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September 10, 2025
Dear Editor: My most sincere thanks to the Ouray Volunteer Fire Department, Ouray County EMS, the Ouray Police Department and all responders to the numerous calls you have been responding to this summ...
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Dam it: the story of Ridgway State Park
Columns, Opinion...
Dam it: the story of Ridgway State Park
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Our neighborhood reservoir, Ridgway State Park, has become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The park is a modern chapter in the long and rich history of the Uncompahgre Valley. It is a s...
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News
News briefs
Man cited for alleged theft, deed restrictions approved, Ouray enacts voluntary water restrictions, shuttle service in Ouray uncertain
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September 10, 2025
Man cited for alleged shoplifting at hardware store A Grand Junction man has been issued a citation for theft, after he allegedly stole two Dewalt batteries from the Ridgway True Value Hardware Store....
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Log Hill resident accused in child sex assault case
News
Log Hill resident accused in child sex assault case
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
September 10, 2025
Editor's note: This story includes details of alleged sexual assault. A Log Hill resident and alternative medicine practitioner has been accused of sexual assault on a child in a pattern of abuse, by ...
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