Ouray offers an abundance of outdoor activities and striking views
Known as the Switzerland of America, Ouray sits in a steep geographic bowl, where Victorian-era buildings line Main Street and mountain views rival those of the Swiss Alps. “It’s wonderful; you can go out of town on your feet in any direction and catch a trail,” says Realtor Peggy Lindsey with Ouray Real Estate, who has lived in the area for 38 years. “It’s very much an athletic community, where you can ice climb, snowshoe and go hiking for days.” Temperate summers and snowy winters provide ideal conditions for countless adventures. With activities ranging from off-roading to exploring cascading waterfalls, Ouray earns its self-proclaimed title as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Colorado.
The rugged mountains serve as a natural playground for all ages
Most outdoor activities center around the San Juan Mountains. Imogene Pass is one of Colorado’s highest elevated trails accessible by car, and each year, runners brave the 17-mile route to Telluride by foot. Mountain and ice climbers head to Gold Mountain Via Ferrata for a self-guided or instructor-led excursion. Children often learn to climb at Rotary Park, which has a skating rink in the winter. Off-roading is a big draw to Ouray, with popular trails including Engineer and Black Bear passes. “People come here for the four-wheel drive roads,” Lindsey says. “They’re rough, gnarly and so much fun.” The Ouray Hot Springs Pool and Fitness Center has spring-fed pools open year-round for swimming laps and relaxing. Baseball and basketball players use the courts at Fellin Park, which also features a playground and open field space. Skiers often visit Telluride for alpine slopes, and groomed Nordic trails are available at the top of Red Mountain Pass. “You could cross-country ski or snowshoe right out of town if you want to,” Lindsey says.
Victorian properties, cabins and condos sit beneath towering pines
Housing primarily consists of single-family properties, condos and townhouses. “There aren’t a lot of new builds, and most are older Victorians that have either been recently remodeled or need repairs,” Lindsey says. The area has various zoning districts, as well. “The west side is R-2 zoning, so you may have neighbors that change every few days, while the east side doesn’t allow short-term rentals,” Lindsey says. Small cottages start at $450,000 to $750,000, and larger Victorian homes and sizeable cabins have recently sold between $850,000 and $1.3 million. Condos come in complexes or lofts above Main Street storefronts, with prices ranging from $350,000 to $625,000. Ouray has two manufactured home parks, with older units selling in the $100,000 range and newer builds reaching $350,000.
A push to support small businesses and restaurants along Main Street
Montrose has the nearest hospital and big-box retail, while mom-and-pop shops replace larger corporations in Ouray. “We do have Ouray Grocery, which has a considerable amount of decent food,” Lindsey says. “It’s small, but it’s pretty good and caters to the locals.” Main Street houses dozens of independently run businesses, from trading posts and boutique inns to gift shops and art galleries. Though foodies have various options off Main, Brickhouse 737 has brought in significant traffic for its fine-dining experience since it opened in 2016. The Outlaw still displays its original sign from 1969 and invites customers to enjoy a rustic, saloon-inspired atmosphere with live performances on the piano. Ouray Brewery has a rooftop patio for a drink overlooking the alpenglow at sunset.
All three public schools in one building
Ouray Elementary and Ouray Middle schools score B-plus grades on Niche. Ouray Senior High has a C-plus, and all three divisions share one campus. The school uses the area’s surrounding nature through immersive earth science classes, group hikes and athletic programs, like skiing. High schoolers can choose from various travel cohorts, such as a Spanish immersion trip to Guanajuato, Mexico, or a visit to Washington, D.C., for government studies.
Holiday gatherings and indulging in art at the Wright Opera House
The community comes together for numerous seasonal events every year. Santa delivers presents to homes on Christmas Eve, and children hunt for eggs on Easter in Fellin Park. The park also hosts a concert series during the summer and a Fourth of July fireworks show following the parade on Main Street. The Wright Opera House is a central hub for artistic events, from movie viewings and concerts to an international film festival.
The Million Dollar Highway heads to bigger cities
U.S. Route 550, also known as the Million Dollar Highway, cuts through the center of Ouray and leads to Montrose, 35 miles north. Montrose Regional Airport, 40 miles away, provides services to big cities as far as New York. The area’s bus system, All Points Transit, serves seniors throughout the surrounding counties.
