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No. 2 top story of 2020: Voters oust sheriff in county’s first recall
Former Ouray County Sheriff Lance FitzGerald used this photo as part of his campaign to retain his job, after a tumultuous year in which he was arrested for alleged DUI and involved in various alcohol-fueled domestic incidents. Facebook photo
News
By Mike Wiggins, on December 29, 2020
No. 2 top story of 2020: Voters oust sheriff in county’s first recall

In Ouray County’s first recall election in its 143-year history, voters overwhelmingly chose to oust Sheriff Lance FitzGerald, concluding he was unfit to serve in office after a series of legal and personal troubles in late 2019 that carried over into early 2020.

They replaced him with Ouray’s former police chief and city administrator, Justin Perry.

FitzGerald won office in 2018 by just 11 votes. A little more than 18 months later, just 196 out of 2,527 people voted to keep him in his positio...

A Skyway show worth seeing
Main, News...
A Skyway show worth seeing
September 30, 2026
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Main, News...
Budget slashing begins
Board considers own pay cut, trimming staff, claiming leftover road paving funds
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
September 30, 2026
Department by department, piece by piece, Ouray County commissioners worked toward cutting $1.5 million from the county’s draft budget at all-day budget sessions Sept. 23 and 29. Commissioners set a 1...
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Ouray sergeant’s job? It’s unclear
Main, News...
Ouray sergeant’s job? It’s unclear
September 30, 2026
What does the only remaining police employee do for work? Nobody — including Matt Troxell — will say Each weekday, the Ouray Police Department’s sole full-time employee hops in an unmarked black and w...
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News
More squeeze, less juice: How proposed disaster relief sales tax compares with other communities
A smaller tax base means Ouray County is asking taxpayers to pay more money to generate less revenue
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
September 30, 2026
Ouray County’s proposed sales tax hike to fund future disaster relief would take more out of residents’ and visitors’ pockets to provide a substantially less plush fiscal cushion than other Colorado l...
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Bear breaks into restaurant, leaves
News
Bear breaks into restaurant, leaves
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
September 30, 2026
A large bear broke into Full Tilt restaurant and was found the morning of Sept. 23. Those passing by the restaurant at 515 Main St. filmed the confused-looking bear standing tall and looking out the f...
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City eyes legal action on sewer plant
News
City eyes legal action on sewer plant
Notice of claims sent to four contractors allege 'significant defects and deficiencies' with $17M facility
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 30, 2026
The city of Ouray has taken the first step toward seeking a legal remedy for its troubled wastewater treatment plant, filing notices of claims with four contractors who designed, built and provided se...
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Editor Picks
This sketchbook illustration
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This sketchbook illustration
September 30, 2026
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Looking Back
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Looking Back
September 30, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago October 6, 1966 At a special meeting of the Ouray City Council on Oct. 4, the mayor o...
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News
County considers veteran transport program
Initiative would provide rides to medical appointments, but commissioners want more info
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
September 30, 2026
Ouray County commissioners want to have more discussions with San Miguel County before partnering on a program that would transport veterans to medical appointments in Montrose and Grand Junction. Mik...
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News
Log Hill tests emergency siren locations
Donations expected to cover most of cost of estimated $26,000 system
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
September 30, 2026
Don’t be alarmed. The Log Hill Mesa Fire Protection District plans to install an emergency siren system on Log Hill and is exploring possible locations on public property. The siren would alert reside...
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Ouray runners compete in Delta
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Ouray runners compete in Delta
September 30, 2026
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

195 S Lena St. Unit D
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

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