Ouray County, “the Switzerland of America”, was formed out of San Juan County in 1877. Ouray holds the distinction of being the first county created by the newly assembled Colorado State Legislature. It was named for the highly respected Ute Indian Chief Ouray. The 2013 population was estimated at 4,557.
Ouray is the county seat and home to the annual Ouray Ice Festival, the largest ice-climbing event on the continent. The four-day event draws ice climbers from around the world. It’s also home to numerous hot springs, both public and private.
The highest mountain in Ouray County is Mount Sneffels at 14,150 feet. Many peaks in excess of 13,300 feet exist, bearing witness to the “Switzerland of America” moniker.
Visit the Ouray County Government website.
County Towns
Adjacent Counties
- Gunnison – northeast
- Hinsdale – southeast
- Montrose – north
- San Juan – south
- San Miguel – southwest
Special Events
- Jan – Ouray Ice Festival
- Sep – Ouray County Fair & Rodeo in Ridgway
Latest in Ouray County
Colorado’s 6 Small Town-Run Ski Areas
These smaller Colorado ski areas are seldom spoken of outside their local mountain towns. They’re tiny…
Colorado’s Best Small Christmas Towns to Visit
What better way to spend Christmas than in a quaint mountain town, blanketed with snow and…
6 Best Hot Springs by Ouray & Ridgway
Situated in the San Juan Mountains, the hot springs near and in Ouray are one of…
The Top Events in Ouray, Colorado
In addition to the amazing natural beauty and outdoor adventures, there are many top events in…
