NOT ON THE FENCE – Volunteers from the Ouray County Rodeo Association, plus community members, resting after a day’s work replacing old, unsafe wooden fencing at the Ouray County Fairgrounds. The new metal panels and gates were installed by, from left: Steve Stadelman, John Robinson, Corbin Robinson, John Young, Richard Weber, Bob Roberts, John Malone, Louie Schlosser. Key members Duane Beamer and Travis Buck had already gone home for the day. (Courtesy photo)

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OURAY COUNTY – A huge volunteer effort on the part of the Ouray County Rodeo Association has replaced approximately 350 feet of old wooden fencing and three gates at the county fairgrounds with steel poles and new metal panels.

“Maybe we’ll keep the doggone bulls in now!” said Fairgrounds Manager Susan Long, in anticipation of the upcoming Labor Day Weekend County Fair and Rodeo. “It was a safety issue, both for the people in the arena and the spectators as well.”

Long described the work done on Sunday, July 22, from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

“We all knew there were problems with the fencing in the arena, from the booth through to the north end, and that there would be a big hazard if it wasn’t replaced. The Rodeo Association, spearheaded by OCRA President Louis Schlosser, did the research and planning. They found the panels and decided we had the piping to connect them. Then they said: ‘Come on; let’s just get ’er done.’”

The work crew included Louis Schlosser, Duane Beamer, John Young, Richard Weber II, Richard Weber III, Steve Stadelman, John Robinson, Corbin Robinson, Travis Buck, Bob Roberts, John Malone, Jason Merkley, Lori Howard and Susan Long. The Ranch at Kettle Creek, Christy Orvis and the Double RL Ranch provided the heavy equipment needed to complete the job.

“Thank goodness for Christy Orvis and her piece of equipment,” said Long. “What a lifesaver that was. We were able to bang the poles in at least two feet deep, and that allowed us to do it without cement. We got to take the cement back.”

Long estimates the donated labor, including welding and the heavy equipment, saved about $10,000. The Rodeo Association provided the cash needed, about $6,000, to purchase the new gates, panels and hardware.

When it was all done, Long said, “The safety for all equine activities in the arena has been greatly enhanced. The time, effort and thought process that went into this project was fantastic.”

Board of County Commissioners Chair Heidi Albritton commented, “The members of the BOCC are very grateful to all the volunteers who came together to contribute towards this wonderful improvement. This is another great example of dedicated members of our community coming together to contribute towards something we can all enjoy and benefit from. It's through volunteer efforts like this that we are able to maintain our connection to our ranching heritage, and we'd be lost without their passion and dedication to this wonderful Ouray County landmark!”