Ouray 4th of July.
Our Ouray 4th of July Parade is bigger and better than ever. A testament to the resiliency of our community. Mountain living isn’t easy, but there are plenty of occasions to celebrate.
REMINDER: Storage and use of PERSONAL fireworks inside the City of Ouray is limited. (O.M.C. 10-2 N.1-6)
SEE DETAILS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE.
We have a fun-packed day full of something for everyone! Below is a list of the main events. Please feel free to check out local restaurants and retail stores for other events or specials throughout the holiday as well. Our Visit Ouray website has a comprehensive listing of all the wonderful places to check out while here. Celebrate responsibly, remember your sunscreen, stay hydrated, and please have a designated driver if traveling.
7 AM REGISTRATION FOR OURAYCE
Ouray Community Center at 320 6th Avenue
7:30 AM OURAYCE
Ouray Community Center at 320 6th Avenue
End Time: 9:00 am MDT
Price: $35.00 Race Fee + $3.10 SignUp Fee
Price increases after July 1, 2024
This year marks the 41st Annual Ourayce 10K Fun Run. This event is hosted by the Home Trust of Ouray County, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide permanently affordable housing and housing-related resources to modest-income households in Ouray County. Our vision is to create an inclusive, economically diverse community through stewardship of community resources.
Registration is $35 online (and includes a race T-shirt) at runsignup.com/Race/CO/Ouray/Ourayce10KFunRun. All proceeds from this event go toward creating affordable workforce housing in Ouray County.
This 10K Fun Run starts and ends at the historic Ouray Community Center in the heart of the City of Ouray. Teams, costumes, and other positive ways to have a fun time for a good cause are encouraged.
Details subject to change. Verify with event host.
REMINDER: Storage and use of PERSONAL fireworks inside the City of Ouray is limited. (O.M.C. 10-2 N.1-6)
SEE DETAILS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE.
9 AM PARADE LINE-UP
4th and 4th.
First-come, first-served for line-up. Please have your float or vehicle decorated festively for the holiday. Please be respectful and mindful, while also having fun with it! If providing candy, you should have helpers who are walking alongside your float and passing candy out to the spectators. Throwing candy from the floats can cause children to run into the parade traffic.
9:45 AM to 11:00 AM - Traffic will be held at either end of Ouray for the Parade. Detour may not be suitable for semi-trucks or similarly sized vehicles.
10 AM PARADE
Main Street.
Please note that during the parade traffic will be held at both ends of Ouray. Our parade has a DRY SIDE and a WET SIDE. If you want to stay dry please stay on the east side of Main Street. West side (the downhill side) is the WET SIDE of Main Street! If you need to cool down or want to try your hand at soaking the firefighters while they soak you as they go by (BYO water guns --- NO WATER BALLOONS) you will want to be set up on the WET SIDE for the parade. For the safety of all involved, as well as to keep the parade moving, we ask that you please not cross sides once the parade has started, if possible.
10:30 AM-ISH FLYOVER
By Colorado Air National Guard.
NO DRONES AT THIS TIME. The Colorado Air National Guard may cancel the flyover if drones are being flown in the area. Drone flight is subject to all federal, state, and local drone laws.
11 AM KID’S GAMES
Fellin Park immediately after Parade.
Fun includes: Races, pie-eating contest, and sawdust pile!
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM - Traffic will be detoured from Hwy 550 to 4th Avenue and 8th Avenue. Detour may not be suitable for semi-trucks or similarly sized vehicles.
2 PM WATER FIGHTS
6th and Main Street.
To join, please get in touch with Steve Duce at Timber Ridge Service Station: #970-325-4204.
We are proud to turn our town over to the local volunteer firefighters to host a marquee event on the western slope of Colorado; the Ouray Water Fights. Each year the crowd gathers on Main Street prepared for soaking and watching an epic battle of pride.
8 PM JEEP GLOW PARADE LINE-UP
Amphitheater Turnoff and Small Horseshoe Parking Area.
Have fun making your Jeep, or similar vehicle, stand out against the alpenglow sunset using lights, glowsticks, and other items that glow, as you proceed down Main Street, signaling that fireworks are almost here! NO FLARES.
9:00 PM to 10:00 PM - Hwy 550 will be closed from the Overlook to 3rd Ave. No parking between the closure points, MP 92.03 to MP 93.29, will be allowed for safety reasons.
9 PM (DUSK) JEEP GLOW PARADE
Main Street.
9:30 PM (DARK) FIREWORKS
Over the City of Ouray.
Weather permitting. Done by the Ouray Volunteer Fire Department.
HWY 550 will be closed from the Overlook to 3rd Avenue, (MP 92.030 to 93.740).
>>>Did you see that the Ouray Volunteer Fire Department has a Benefit Concert in Fellin Park on July 3rd? Click this link for the poster and details.
EXITING THE CITY OF OURAY
After the fireworks show, the exit from Ouray may take some patience as thousands of visitors head home. We thank you for your understanding during this time and ask that your designated driver please remain calm and follow the directions of law enforcement aiding in the safe exit of all.
REMINDER: Storage and use of PERSONAL fireworks inside the City of Ouray is limited. (O.M.C. 10-2 N.1-6)
SEE DETAILS AT BOTTOM OF PAGE.
————
RV Parking is available at the end of 9th Avenue. Follow the signs.
Shuttle Service Cancelled - We have been notified there is no shuttle service available. Please make arrangements for a designated driver if required.
RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF OURAY --- TRASH SERVICE ---
Per Bruin, trash service will occur for the City of Ouray on Thursday, July 4th. Bruin requests, if possible, to have receptacles out by 6 AM as they are sending their drivers in early to best avoid the events on Main Street. If your bins are missed, please put them back out Friday morning, July 5th by 7 AM.
----------
Ordinance 08, Series 2023
Ouray Municipal Code
10-2 Miscellaneous Offenses
N. Fireworks
It shall be unlawful to store or manufacture fireworks, as defined in C.R.S. §24-33.5- 2001 et seq., as may be amended, within the City limits; and any violation is hereby declared a nuisance subject to abatement and costs thereon.
It shall be unlawful to sell or use fireworks on any City property or public right-of-way.
It shall be unlawful to sell or use fireworks within City limits unless allowed in accordance with C.R.S. §§24-33.5-2001, and (1) the fireworks are used on a hard flat surface with a minimum of ten feet distance from any building and other flammable and (2) with the effect limited to a shower of sparks to a height of no more than fifteen feet above ground.
City staff may, grant special permits to responsible persons to display fireworks within the City, in connection with public celebrations and public firework displays and demonstrations only, and upon such restrictive conditions as attached to each such special license issued. The applicant shall submit proof of general liability insurance for the display in a minimum amount equal to the liability limits as set out in the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act for property damage and bodily injury. The issuance of any such special license shall be entirely discretionary upon the part of City Council and subject to special license fee as established by City Council. The City shall be exempt from obtaining a special permit for its storage and display of fireworks.
It shall be unlawful to fire, shoot, or use of dynamite, dynamite caps, fuses, black powder, or any explosives having or containing nitroglycerine or nitrocellulose compounds, or any form of industrial type of explosives, at, during or in connection with any celebration, public or otherwise, for the purposes of producing a spectacle or exhibition, are hereby declared to be and to constitute a public nuisance.
The Police Chief of the City, and all deputy police officers, are directed to suppress the sale, storage, manufacturing, and display or use of any fireworks or industrial explosives that are not otherwise permitted and pose a reasonable threat to public safety, by impounding the same, in addition to any other assessed penalties.
