Fire bans sweep across region

This graphic shows what's allowed and not allowed under Stage 1 fire restrictions on public lands. An intensifying drought and high wildfire danger prompted several agencies to ban fires in and around Ouray County this week, including the city of Ouray, the county, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. Courtesy Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

News

By Carolina Brown And Mike Wiggins, on July 2, 2020

Federal and local agencies moved swiftly and simultaneously this week to implement fire bans across Ouray County and the surrounding region, citing parched conditions and a high wildfire danger.

Ouray County commissioners, Ouray city councilors, and the Uncompahgre and Tres Rios field offices of the Bureau of Land Management all announced Stage 1 restrictions on Tuesday. Montrose County commissioners and Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests approved restrictions on Wednesday, wit...

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SADDLE UP AND RIDE

January 15, 2025

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Report: Padgett likely treated workers poorly

Commissioner apologizes; county plans to adopt code of conduct

By By Deb Hurley Brobst and Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 15, 2025

Ouray County commissioners will develop a conduct policy for both elected county leaders and staff in the wake of a final report on an investigation of Road and Bridge Superintendent Ty Barger’s compl...

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An adventurer of ‘considerable abilities’

Whether he was testing his own athletic limits or mentoring others, avalanche victim Don Moden Jr. was passionate about the outdoors

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

January 15, 2025

It was a workout day for Don Moden Jr. For the 57-year-old Ridgway athlete and adventurer, that could take many forms — a gravel bike ride along County Road 24, a run on one of the countless ribbons o...

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Niece handed board leadership over Padgett

Commissioners break tradition of taking turns, drawing objections from public

By By Lia Salvatierra and Erin McIntyre lia@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

January 15, 2025

A routine change in leadership roles on the Board of County Commissioners attracted attention this week when Commissioner Lynn Padgett was not chosen as chairperson, a position that instead went to Co...

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Ridgway deputy receives lifesaving award

Brannon Hasler pulled Ridgway resident from burning car after wreck

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

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Sue Stern doesn't remember much about the day her life was saved. She and her husband, Burt, were on their way back home after a trip to Montrose. They had taken their dog, Spencer, to a grooming appo...

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Avalanche training grounds open to public

Beacon park aimed at helping people hone rescue skills

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 15, 2025

Backcountry skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers can practice the safety skill of locating beacons buried beneath snowpack at Ouray Mountain Rescue Team’s Avalanche Beacon Training Park. The park opene...

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NEWS BRIEFS

Mountain cabin to be removed

January 15, 2025

Cabin will be removed, timeline unclear Ouray County leaders affirmed they will require a cabin to be removed on Red Mountain Pass after determining that its owner misled the county when he obtained a...

Letters, Opinion...

Gratitude for mobile home park donors’ generosity

January 15, 2025

Dear Editor: I would like to express my gratitude for the remarkable act of kindness demonstrated by Jay and Jackie Lauderdale, and Cat and Barthold Lichtenbelt in making a nearly one-million-dollar d...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Chief candidates deserve questions

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Dear Editor: I am writing to thank the Plaindealer for their article last week, "Police chief finalists to visit Ouray." The general public, although we have a tremendous stake in who leads our Police...

Looking Back

OURAY COUNTY

LOOKING BACK

40 YEARS AGO

January 15, 2025

January 17, 1975 – While it was a scramble earlier last week to clear slides from the Camp Bird Mine road, the State Highway Department saw little action on U.S. 550 (the Million Dollar Highway) until...

Obituaries

Donald L. Moden Jr.

January 15, 2025

April 15, 1967-January 7, 2025 On January 7, 2025, Don’s intrepid spirit forever joined the San Juan Mountains he cherished. Don was born in Salina, Kansas, and began his sports endeavors at an early ...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines