Despite state incentives that became available mid-summer, the Ouray Hot Springs Pool will head into fall short-staffed.

According to Pool Manager Carmen Brashier, 18 of the facility’s 25 lifeguards will depart this week, leaving only seven lifeguards working at a time when the pool usually has 15.

The shortage in lifeguards is a state and nationwide problem, and Colorado has two programs the Ouray pool attempted to take advantage of to recruit and retain staff, she said. The first provided a $1...