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Wildlife displaced by fire, residents can help by providing water for animals

Commissioners to discuss emergency plans for flooding

By James Hanlon, Special to the Plaindealer

July 7, 2026

Wildlife escaping the Gold Mountain Fire are moving closer to town, pr...

News

Evacuees can obtain credentials for re-entry of fire zone

Timeline unclear for return to homes in evacuated area

By Deb Hurley Brobst

July 6, 2026

Evacuees of the Gold Mountain Fire — who have been displaced for more ...

Main, News...

Forest closure expands as fire makes another big run

By Mike

July 2, 2026

The U.S. Forest Service this afternoon expanded the closure area in th...

News

Some evacuated areas will reopen to residents Wednesday

By erin@ouraynews.com

July 7, 2026

The Ouray County sheriff is allowing some residents to return to their homes in evacuated areas starting Wednesday morning. The sheriff's office approved re-entry for credentialed residents who live in zones 12 and 13. You can check your zone and evacuation status here on this interactive map. These zones include homes along County Road 14, at Lake Lenore, in Ponderosa Village, near Cedar Hill Cem...

News

Water providers ask customers to conserve

By erin@ouraynews.com

July 2, 2026

Water managers are asking residents to avoid excessive water use and putting more demand on their distribution system. Ridgway Mayor John Clark announced during a Ouray County Board of County Commissi...

News

Reservoir to close due to aerial firefighting operation

By erin@ouraynews.com

July 2, 2026

Ridgway Reservoir will close to boaters as soon as planes dispatched to assist with the aerial attack on the Gold Mountain Fire arrive. It's hard to tell exactly when that will be, but Colorado Parks ...

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Fire surges into Cimarrons

Evacuations expand, forest closes as forecast offers little relief

By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

July 1, 2026

A wildfire that started as a wisp of smoke on a cliffside just north of Ouray last weekend exploded to more than 15,000 acres by Wednesday, driven by winds north to the Cimarron Range east of Ridgway....

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City curtails holiday events, keeps parade

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

July 1, 2026

Fourth of July events in Ouray will be scaled back this year in response to the Gold Mountain Fire, with the July 3 fire department benefit concert and the Independence Day parade and kids’ games a go...

News

Blaze forces evacuations, destroys family cabin

No word when owners will be able to return

By By Mike Wiggins, Erin McIntyre and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

July 1, 2026

Rachel Nichols helped Russell McCrady when he needed emergency treatment for his dog. Little did she know he would return the favor when she and her husband encountered their own emergency, after they...

News

Fire crashes wedding party

Forced to flee, Denver-area couple improvises, moves celebration

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

July 1, 2026

The navy blue suit was ready for James Lindaman to attach his great-grandfather’s Air Force airman’s pin to the lapel. Michelle Lindaman spent months arranging every detail of her wedding, from the fl...

News

In light of staff survey, commissioners vow to govern better, improve pay

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

July 1, 2026

Ouray County commissioners responded to the good, the bad and the ugly from the “2026 Employee Viewpoint Survey,” saying they were pleased county employees said they generally like their jobs, committ...

News

Q&A: Gold Mountain Fire

By Plaindealer Staff Report Plaindealer@ouraynews.com

July 1, 2026

The emergency response to the Gold Mountain Fire has been sudden and information is changing from day to day. Here are some answers to questions we have received from readers you might find helpful. P...

Feature

Looking Back

July 1, 2026

Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago July 7, 1966 Dynamite charges started Ouray’s Independence Day Celebration with a ban...

Calendar & Events, Feature...

Calendar & Events

July 2-16, 2026

July 1, 2026

EDITOR'S NOTE: All events are subject to change, given the state of emergency and the Gold Mountain Fire. Thursday, July 2 Ridgway Concert Series: Levi Platero with opener Shelby Means, free concert i...

Feature

Travels influence food truck flavors

By By Chloe Kiparsky Special to the Plaindealer

June 24, 2026

From Greece to the Caribbean, menu runs gamut at The Sweet Tea Syndicate A new, bright red food truck has rolled into town, and with it come flavors of Greece, Poland, the Caribbean and the southern U...

Feature

New Ouray restaurant offers ‘elevated pub food’

The Tavern opens in space formerly occupied by Full Tilt, O'Brien's

By By Chloe Kiparsky Special to the Plaindealer

June 24, 2026

When Nancy Feeser and her husband, Mike, bought the building at 726 Main St. in Ouray in February, it was painted green with bright yellow letters announcing O’Brien’s Pub, which had been closed for y...

Calendar & Events, Feature...

Calendar & Events

June 24, 2026

Thursday, June 25 Cruz Contreras & The Black Lillies with opener Griffin William Sherry, Mountain Air Music Series concert in Fellin Park in Ouray, from 6-10 p.m., free. Tech Thursday – Get help with ...

Columns, Feature...

Anniversaries a reminder of power of this place

By Carolyn Snowbarger

June 17, 2026

The "power of place" is the theory that physical locations shape our lives, identities and ultimate destinies. This concept suggests that a geographic location is never merely a dot on a map or a set ...

News

Animal shelter evacuating due to Gold Mountain Fire

Emergency foster homes needed for animals

By erin@ouraynews.com

July 1, 2026

UPDATE at 3 p.m. Wednesday – ALL THE ANIMALS HAVE BEEN EVACUATED Second Chance Humane Society is evacuating today due to the Gold Mountain Fire now burning east of Ridgway. The shelter, located on Cou...

News

July 4 water fights canceled, but parade decision in limbo

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

July 1, 2026

Ouray businesses and residents will have to hold their collective breath awhile longer until city officials decide whether the Fourth of July parade will go on as usual. City officials will announce b...

News

Evacuation area expanded east of Ridgway, Ouray to discuss July 4 plans

City to hold meeting today at 4 p.m.

By Mike Wiggins

June 30, 2026

The city of Ouray is open but staff is not actively marketing to bring visitors to the area, City Administrator Michelle Metteer said this morning. “We are always looking to find a balance on what is ...

News

Firefighters building, reinforcing lines, as high winds return today

By Mike

June 30, 2026

Firefighters will focus their efforts today on building and reinforcing firelines in an effort to keep the Gold Mountain Fire from spreading south toward Ouray and west toward U.S. Highway 550. A tota...

News

Emergency ballots available for primary election

Voters can participate online, turn in ballots at secure ballot boxes before 7 p.m. deadline

By Erin McIntyre

June 30, 2026

The polls and ballot boxes are open today and the Ouray County clerk wants you to know you have several ways you can vote, given the state of emergency and the Gold Mountain Fire. Ballots for the prim...

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