As of midnight, the county’s fire ban will be lifted. Officials in the region decided to coordinate efforts to lift the fire ban tonight, in response to the lack of an extension on a statewide fire ban first enacted by the governor in August.

The fire ban in Ouray County had been in place for more than a month – since Aug. 20. The announcement comes as hunting season is ramping up and rifle season for big game arrives. The southwestern part of Colorado and most of the western part of the...