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Remembering Walt Rule, a society founder
Walt Rule leads a tour in front of the Ouray County Museum. One of the founders of the Ouray County Historical Society in 1971 who helped achieve National Historic District status for the city of Ouray, Rule died on April 18. Photo courtesy Ouray County Historical Society
Feature, Obituaries
By News Staff, on June 17, 2020
Remembering Walt Rule, a society founder

The Ouray County Historical Society received word that Walter Rule, longtime OCHS Board member, died on April 18 of this year. Walt was a remarkable man who loved history and its preservation.

Walt was born in New Jersey and grew up in Pennsylvania. He received his commission in the U.S. Army as 2nd Lieutenant after graduation from the University of Maine in June of 1954. His BS degree was in Forestry. Walt married Nancy Lee Wilson in 1955, and later that year, he was posted to South Korea. After...

News
No-idling ordinance stalls after months of debate
By LIA SALVATIERRA 
May 14, 2026
“Idle-Free Ridgway” remains a motto, rather than a rule after the town council voted down final approval for an anti-idling ordinance that drew zealous support and opposition over the past five months...
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Ouray childcare model a blueprint for others
Main, News...
Ouray childcare model a blueprint for others
A year after two daycares opened within affordable housing development, builder looks to replicate template in three other cities
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
The solution to the statewide childcare shortage might be here in Ouray County, where a blueprint for building childcare-ready affordable homes was drafted. It’s been a little more than a year since t...
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Main, News...
County tests: No mold problem in meeting rooms
After commissioner claims 'toxicity,' manager says 4-H, courthouse spaces safe to use
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
Ouray County commissioner meeting rooms don’t have a mold problem, according to testing ordered after Commissioner Lynn Padgett said the facilities caused her to feel sick and used it as justification...
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Beefed-up alpine ranger program returns
News
Beefed-up alpine ranger program returns
State grant allows county to add sixth ranger to patrol backcountry, focus on safety, education
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
Ouray County’s alpine ranger program is back and bigger this year with the help of a state grant. The public will see alpine rangers patrolling areas including Yankee Boy Basin, Imogene Pass and the A...
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Two candidates vie for seat on San Miguel Power board
News
Two candidates vie for seat on San Miguel Power board
Election to represent Ridgway, Log Hill contested for first time since 2014
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
For the first time in more than a decade, there’s a contested election for the District 6 seat on the San Miguel Power Association board of directors, representing all of Ridgway, much of Log Hill and...
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Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Savage would bring expertise, connection to SMPA board
By Dear Editor: 
May 13, 2026
As San Miguel Power Association District 6 members prepare to vote, for the first time in quite some time we have a choice between two excellent candidates. I encourage members to take a close look at...
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Editor Picks
War to peace: rebranding the San Juans
Columns, Opinion...
War to peace: rebranding the San Juans
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
May 13, 2026
For decades, the San Juans were valued primarily for what could be pulled out of them. These mountains were a brutal, dangerous locale defined by the extraction of silver, gold and other metals. As Wo...
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Looking Back
News
Looking Back
May 13, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago May 12, 1966 Toby is back in town. Proof of it is that Johnny Johnson of the Western ...
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News
Sex assault suspect to plead guilty to reduced charge
May 13, 2026
One of three men charged with sexually assaulting a then-17-year-old girl in Ouray County in 2023 has agreed to plead guilty to a reduced charge. Ashton Whittington, who was originally charged with a ...
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News
Commissioners hedge on compensation requests
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
A Ouray County employee rescinded a request Tuesday to be paid for the hours she spent outside her regular work week helping run the 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds. Commissioners spent roughly 45 mi...
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News
Evacuation exercise in Elk Meadows kicks off Friday
May 13, 2026
Between 40 and 60 volunteers and dozens more officials are preparing for Ouray County’s first emergency evacuation exercise in Elk Meadows southwest of Ridgway on Friday. The event will simulate what ...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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Ridgway CO 81432

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