Formed January 18, 1877 (27th county)
Ouray County (4,880), Ouray (901)
The unique dome on the Queen Anne and Romanesque style courthouse was built in 1888. The red brick structure is located on 4th Street between 5th and 6th avenues. United States Highway 550 is one block west of the courthouse. Frank E. Edbrooke provided the designs. An addition was added in 1976. The City of Ouray is the only county seat. Ouray County was created on January 18, 1877 from San Juan County as the 27th county. Dolores County was cut from Ouray County. The Uncompahgre River flows north through the county. Ute Native American Chief Ouray was the inspiration for the county and county seat. The center of the county is 11.6 miles North-Northwest of Ouray nearer Ridgway.
Ouray County government consists of a sheriff, assessor, manager, coroner, and treasurer (executive). It has 3 Commissioners (legislative.) Five District Court Judges serve Ouray, Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, and San Miguel counties and a Trial Court Judge, clerk, and county attorney serve Ouray County (judicial.) The county is located in southwest Colorado. Ouray County was the birthplace of 1 Colorado Governor, William L. Knous. The county is surrounded clockwise by Montrose, Gunnison, Hinsdale, San Juan, and San Miguel counties.
The area of the county is 542.3 square miles. The county is 58 out of 64 in the state. It ranks 51 out of 64 in population in the state. It has a density of 9.0 persons per square mile making it 35 out of 64 in the state. Ouray County has 42.6% of its population in its incorporated areas. United States Highway 550 crosses north to south through the county, Montrose County to San Juan County. The county shape is a capital letter U leaning slightly to the northwest. The City of Ouray is located in the southern quarter of the county. Ouray is the county seat and the largest city. It is 18.5% of the county population. The county and the county seat are pronounced OE-RAE.
Ouray
Ridgway
