Ouray County, Colorado

Ouray County (/ˈjʊəreɪ/) is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 4,874. The county seat is Ouray. Because of its rugged mountain topography, Ouray County is known as the "Switzerland of America".

Ouray County was formed out of San Juan County on January 18, 1877, making Ouray County the first county designated by the newly formed Colorado General Assembly. It was named for Chief Ouray, a distinguished leader of the Ute tribe, as was the municipality of Ouray, which was designated its county seat on March 8, 1877. On February 19, 1881, Dolores County was formed out of parts of Ouray County.

On February 27, 1883, Ouray County was split into San Miguel County and what is currently Ouray County. The portion that became San Miguel County almost retained the name Ouray County when the Colorado General Assembly initially renamed today's Ouray County as Uncompahgre County, but four days later, on March 2, 1883, the General Assembly changed its mind and reverted the name of Uncompahgre County back to Ouray County.

The Ouray County Courthouse was constructed in Ouray in 1888 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Mining operators in the San Juan Mountains area of Colorado formed the San Juan District Mining Association (SJDMA) in 1903, as a direct result of a Western Federation of Miners proposal to the Telluride Mining Association for the eight-hour day, which had been approved in a referendum by 72 percent of Colorado voters. The new association consolidated the power of 36 mining properties in San Miguel, Ouray, and San Juan counties. The SJDMA refused to consider any reduction in hours or increase in wages, helping to provoke a bitter strike.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 542 square miles (1,400 km²), of which 542 square miles (1,400 km²) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) (0.1%) is water. The highest point in Ouray County is the summit of Mount Sneffels at 14,150 feet (4,310 m) above sea level. Many high peaks of more than 13,300 feet (4,100 m) also exist. Other prominent features in Ouray County include Log Hill Mesa and Pleasant Valley.

As of the 2000 Census, there were 3,742 people, 1,576 households, and 1,123 families residing in the county. The population density was 7 people per square mile (2.7 people/km²). There were 2,146 housing units at an average density of 4 units per square mile (1.5 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.34% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. 4.06% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,576 households, out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.77.