Land Use, Planning, and Building

The Land Use Department is responsible for the planning and building functions in Ouray County.

***Ouray County Master Plan Update***

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!!!  Watch this space June 1 for a county-wide survey !!!

Ouray County is beginning its first review and possible update of the County Master Plan in 23 years. The county last updated it’s Master Plan in 1999, available to view HERE. A county Master Plan is a long-range planning document intended to reflect the county’s overall vision and values for land use related issues for the next 10-years. As with the current Master Plan, a review and possible update will likely include but not necessarily be limited to, major topics such as Agricultural Lands, Economic Development, Housing, Natural Resources, Tourism, Transportation, and many other key issues. Ouray County has contracted with the firm ‘KLJ Engineering and Planning’ out of Montrose to assist as a consultant to the project. 

The Planning Commission, with assistance from KLJ and the Land Use Department, will spearhead the project which is expected to take 12-14 months to complete. A kick-off meeting for the project has been scheduled for For all current and future information on this project see the Ouray County Master Plan Update web site at: https://klj.mysocialpinpoint.com/ouray-co 

You may also access Master Plan information and documents by clicking here.

If you have questions please contact the Ouray County Planning Director, Mark Castrodale, at 970-626-9775 x5.

MASTER PLAN – CURRENT UPDATE

On April 25 th we held our first open house regarding the update of the Master Plan and had a great turnout with over 67 attendees in spite of the snow storm. Some important items to note; this is only the beginning of what will likely be a 14+ month process and a variety of activities to gather critical input from the public. The feedback we received from written surveys completed at the open house will be used to develop a county-wide survey to be circulated in May. Also, we heard your feedback and future public events, in addition to various on-line noticing, will also be published in the Plaindealer. Agendas for Planning Commission work sessions, regular meetings, and public hearings are always published in the Plaindealer one week prior to the meeting. Watch this web site for current information on the update of the County Master Plan. To sign up for emails regarding the Master Plan update and all future meetings of the Ouray County Planning Commission send an email to: mcastrodale@ourayco.gov. For any questions on this or any Ouray County Land Use and Zoning matter call Planning Director Mark Castrodale at: (970) 626-9775.