Ouray City Council Debates Remote Participation Rules

Proposal would allow councilors to attend meetings virtually without limits, raising concerns about accountability.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Ouray City Council is considering a proposal that would allow councilors to participate in meetings remotely as often as needed, without limits. This is a departure from current rules that limit remote participation to 6 meetings per year. The proposal has raised concerns about diminishing accountability and setting a bad example for city employees who are expected to attend in person.

Why it matters

The debate over remote participation rules goes to the heart of how elected officials should govern and be accountable to their constituents. Allowing unlimited remote attendance could make it easier for councilors to avoid facing the public and make decisions without direct engagement with the community.

The details

Newly appointed councilor Dave Doherty has already attended half of this year's meetings remotely and is now asking the council to relax the rules. The proposed resolution would allow councilors to participate virtually 'when circumstances prevent in-person attendance' with no clear definition of what those circumstances are. Only two councilors would be allowed to attend remotely in the same meeting.

  • Ouray's current remote participation rules have been in place since 2022.
  • Doherty has already attended 3 of the 6 meetings he's allowed to participate in remotely this year.

The players

Dave Doherty

A newly appointed Ouray city councilor who has attended just half of the board's meetings in person this year and is asking to relax rules requiring in-person attendance.

Joe Coleman

Ouray's Public Works Director, who pointed out that allowing unlimited remote participation could lead to city employees also working from home rather than facing the community.

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What they’re saying

“If we're going with remote participation, let's just do remote participation. We don't need a dais, we don't need to be here. I'm going to do it from my couch at home and be comfortable so I don't have to drive home.”

— Joe Coleman, Public Works Director (ouraynews.com)

What’s next

The Ouray City Council will vote on the proposed resolution to allow unlimited remote participation at their next meeting.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the tension between the convenience of remote governance and the need for elected officials to be accountable and engaged with their constituents. The Ouray City Council must balance these competing priorities as they set the rules for how their members can participate in meetings.