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A new bird species for Ouray County
The first sighting of a Brown Thrasher in Ouray County happened when this bird decided to take residence at Chris Lance’s house in Ridgway. The only other record of this bird in the area is from 1952 in Montrose. Photo courtesy Don Marsh
By Sue Hirshman, on December 3, 2020
A new bird species for Ouray County

Nature awaits

many surprises

For thee

— Enos Mills

A surprise came to me Friday, Nov. 6, when my friend Chris Lance of Ridgway notified me that she had a Brown Thrasher on her property and she thought this was a rare occurrence. Indeed, I agreed with her as I had no reports or people ever seeing this species in Ouray County.

This bird is listed in my “Colorado Breeding Bird Atlas,” as well as other books that I checked that the species is an Eastern and Southern bird, and usually only found Eas...

Forest closure expands as fire makes another big run
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 the Uncompahgre National Forest east of Ridgway, as the Gold Mountain Fire makes another big run. The original closure largely encom...
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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...
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Reservoir to close due to aerial firefighting operation
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
Main, News...
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
Main, News...
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...
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Blaze forces evacuations, destroys family cabin
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...
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Fire crashes wedding party
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...
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Looking Back
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...
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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...
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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...
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Calendar & Events
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...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

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Ridgway CO 81432

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