The city of Ouray plans to initiate legal action against seven property owners who have been illegally operating short-term rentals, a process that could result in thousands of dollars in fines and penalties if the property owners are found guilty.

Following a 20-minute executive session in which they received legal advice from City Attorney Carol Viner, city councilors voted unanimously Tuesday night to direct staff to follow the process laid out in an ordinance the council approved in 2019 esta...