On the Slope
Main, News...
HIGHWAY 550 SAFETY
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
November 26, 2025
The Colorado Department of Transportation plans to lower the speed limit for traffic along a half-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 550 north of Ridgway, near a section of road where the highest number of ...
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Main, News...
OURAY'S 2026 BUDGET
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
November 26, 2025
A cautious Ouray City Council approved a $16.8 million budget for 2026 on Tuesday, leaving a handful of vacant jobs unfilled and slashing capital projects in anticipation of a potential economic downt...
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News
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
November 26, 2025
Both Ridgway Secondary School and the Ouray School District have adopted guidelines for students to use artificial intelligence, joining the first wave of schools in the state to do so. Lining classro...
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News
Local bank, police officials: Fraud attempts growing in sophistication
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
November 26, 2025
Anyone can become the victim of fraud. In Ouray County, one person lost $17,000 after being coerced into setting up a series of bank transfers. Property owners were duped by a home builder who created...
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News
November 26, 2025
An article on Page 6 of the Nov. 20-26 edition incorrectly reported the Ridgway Town Council's votes on a new anti-idling ordinance. The ordinance was approved 5-1, with Councilor Michelle Montague vo...
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Feature
SEASON OF SHARING
November 26, 2025
Editor's note: The Ouray County Plaindealer is continuing its tradition of featuring nonprofit organizations based in Ouray County, serving Ouray County in a series of profiles called Season of Sharin...
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News
100% of Ridgway homes out of affordable price range
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
November 26, 2025
An estimated 100% of potential firsttime homebuyers in Ridgway and 93% of those in Ouray County cannot afford to buy an average-priced home. Those are among the most striking findings in a housing nee...
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Columns, Opinion...
By Karen Risch 
November 26, 2025
Ouray finally woke up to its first measurable snowfall Monday, Nov. 24. While waiting for the magic of winter’s arrival, late or not, I found myself wondering: Would this 2025-2026 season’s first meas...
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Feature
SEASON OF SHARING
November 26, 2025
Editor's note: The Ouray County Plaindealer is continuing its tradition of featuring nonprofit organizations based in Ouray County, serving Ouray County in a series of profiles called Season of Sharin...
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News
Town expects to exceed $5M in general fund spending, dip into reserves
November 26, 2025
Ridgway plans to spend more than $5 million from its general fund in 2026, while at the same time town leaders are predicting a drop in revenue. The town will need to draw on its reserves to balance t...
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Feature
After bouncing around rental kitchens, entrepreneur ramps up Gus Chocolate from new off-grid home
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
November 26, 2025
Past a gate, at the end of a dirt road on Log Hill Mesa, is an Ouray County-style Willy Wonka factory. From his off-grid home, Nathan Montgomery churns small batches of chocolate, entirely powered by ...
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