Every parking space was full, and lines stretched out doors and around corners. It was the peak of summer tourism season in Ouray, with visitors hungry for a place to eat, shop and spend their money.

But inside some businesses, lights were off and doors were locked as businesses struggled to find enough staff to keep up with the crowds. Help wanted signs sat in windows for months, and while it was

Labor shortages have hampered businesses across the country for the last year, and the housing shorta...