Ridgway and Ouray will start collecting wastewater samples to be tested for COVID-19, joining a statewide effort to track and detect the virus.

Both municipalities will collect samples twice per week from their wastewater treatment plants. The samples will be picked up by a courier and transported to a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment lab, where they will be tested to determine the concentration of virus particles and the variants of the virus.

Unlike testing at Ouray County Pu...