Ty Barger began to get a sense of the unique challenges he faces as the new road and bridge superintendent for Ouray County days before he even clocked in for the first time.

He was one of the first people who rolled up on a ditch that breached northeast of Ridgway on April 15, sending a torrent of water and debris across ranches and closing County Roads 8 and 8A for several days.

Barger started his new job on Monday. But he had arrived in Ouray County last week and figured he’d go for a drive j...