Ouray County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado. It lies in the southwestern corner of Colorado in the heart of the San Juan mountains. The county covers 542 square miles and has a population of around 3800. Two municipalities lie within the county, the city of Ouray and the town of Ridgway. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries the primary industries in the county were mining and agriculture. With the decline of the mining industry, tourism increased with many drawn to Ouray County for its natural beauty and variety of outdoor activities.

Ouray has been a special destination of world travelers for more than 100 years. This small intimate community is nestled in some of the most rugged and towering peaks of the Rockies. Set at the narrow head of a valley and surrounded on three sides with 13,000 feet snowcapped peaks - Ouray has been eloquently nicknamed the "Switzerland of America."

Remarkably, two-thirds of Ouray's original Victorian structures, both private and commercial, are still occupied, and have been lovingly restored in order to preserve their turn-of-the-century charm.

Ouray officially began in 1876 with the eager stroke of the prospector’s pick. However,the future brought with it those simply inspired by its beauty. Because of Ouray’s majestic peaks, cascading waterfalls, natural hot springs, the famous Million Dollar Highway, Ouray Ice Park, and its reputation for being the Jeep Capital of the World, modern visitors flock to Ouray as much for its beauty as the miners of the past did for the riches they hoped to find.

The present year-round population swells considerably in the summer months as thousands of travelers visit this unique valley. Ouray is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Whether you set out to conquer the mountains with rope and carbineer, on foot, bike, or four-wheel drive—there’s a route for everyone. Autumn is truly an outstanding time of year, with aspen stands and mixed conifer forests exhibiting glorious displays of golden colors. The winter months are enchanting. At night when the lights meet the formations of ice and snow they join in a shimmering dance of magical light. It's no wonder that this area has been described as the "Gem of the Rockies."