Jammin' in Ouray.

• Author: LEWIS, PETE
• Position: Annual Ouray jeep Jamboree - Brief Article

MINING ROADS DRAW JEEP ENTHUSIASTS

IT was Ernie and Donna Beauvais' first visit to Ouray, but their appearance left no question about why they had come. Ernie wore a baseball cap with JEEP emblazoned across it. Donna's shirt and two water bottles also were labeled with the jeep name. The Beauvaises had driven to Colorado from Shelby, Mich., in their jeep Wrangler for one reason -- the Annual Ouray jeep Jamboree.

Now in its 13th year, the jamboree has become a staple of the southwestern Colorado town's tourist economy. "We're the jeep capital of the world," said Erin Eddy, owner of the Riverside Inn outside of town.

Ouray has 300 miles or so of old mining roads surrounding it, and the roads have created an industry unto themselves, jeep tourists from all over the nation come to tour the abandoned roads; several jeep rental companies and several tour companies cater to the crowd; and some of Ouray's motels even rent Jeeps for do-it-yourself tours. "Eight out of 10 people who come into my business are here for Jeeping," said Eddy.

Jeep Jamborees have been around since 1952, when a group of business people held the first one in Georgetown, Calif., primarily as a way to draw visitors to the small Northern California town. About 7,000 people are expected to participate this year in 35 jamborees across the country. In Ouray this September, 208 participants driving 107 Jeeps from 24 states showed up.

Yet Jeeping has changed. Jamborees are non-competitive events designed to bring enthusiasts together for safe, off-road sightseeing. There are no races or prizes; emphasis is on safety and responsible, off-road fun.

"This is...