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Commissioners offer parting thoughts: Batchelder may not be ready to retire, even after 40 years of service
County Commissioners John Peters, second from left, and Don Batchelder, third from left, help cut a ceremonial ribbon during the dedication of the renovated Ouray County Courthouse in September. The two men participated in their last Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, with Peters leaving after four years in office after losing the November election to Lynn Padgett and Batchelder departing after eight years due to term limits. Erin McIntyre — Ouray County Plaindealer
News
By Carolina Brown, on January 14, 2021
Commissioners offer parting thoughts: Batchelder may not be ready to retire, even after 40 years of service

Don Batchelder finished his second of two eight-year terms as Ouray County commissioner this week, departing the position again due to term limits. But even with nearly 40 years spent in appointed or elected positions in local government within the county, the 66 year-old is not committed to permanent retirement from public service. And he’s not opposed to sitting out for a while and jumping back in again.

Along with 16 years serving as a county commissioner, Batchelder served as Ridgway mayor ...

‘This is the challenge that I needed in my life’
Main, News...
‘This is the challenge that I needed in my life’
Ouray Ice Park's new executive director trims staff, seeks more buy-in from recreational climbers amid financial crunch
By Chart Riggall 
October 21, 2026
In the waning weeks of the 2019 ice climbing season, a 27-year-old Tres Barbatelli stood at the bottom of the Uncompahgre Gorge wondering what he’d just done. Minutes before, he’d rappelled down into ...
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Police department dissolved
Main, News...
Police department dissolved
Council turns over services to sheriff; remaining employee laid off
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 21, 2026
The city of Ouray terminated the sole employee of its police department and turned over its police services to the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, officially dissolving a stand-alone law enf...
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News
Paramedic fired after three months’ leave
Commissioners pause refilling second EMS vacancy
By James Hanlon 
October 21, 2026
A paramedic for Ouray County Emergency Medical Services, who has been on administrative leave since the Gold Mountain Fire, was fired last week after a meeting with county administration went awry. Jo...
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News
County wraps up draft budget without layoffs
Initial plan leaves five positions vacant, reduces some departmental hours
By James Hanlon 
October 21, 2026
Ouray County’s draft budget for next year proposes five staff reductions from general fund departments – all of which are currently vacant positions. The positions are from administration, the assesso...
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News
Veteran transport program approved
Veteran transport program approved
October 21, 2026
After resolving concerns about an intergovernmental agreement with San Miguel County, Ouray County commissioners approved a new partnership last week that will transport veterans to medical appointmen...
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News
Watershed protection project extended
October 21, 2026
The Emergency Watershed Protection project to mitigate debris flows below the Gold Mountain Fire burn area has received a 45-day extension with a new completion date of Nov. 17. Most construction is s...
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Log Hill funds never meant to offset deficit
By Randy Olin 
October 21, 2026
Dear Editor: I strongly disagree that the Board of County Commissioners be able to tap into or use monies/funds that were paid by and belong to the residents of Log Hill Village, and designated specif...
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Letters, Opinion...
Voters deserve better than Congressman Hurd
By Dave Underwood 
October 21, 2026
Dear Editor: As we approach the November election, we’ll doubtless be hearing a lot about U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd’s commitment to local issues. His mailers will almost certainly feature the congressman du...
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Letters, Opinion...
Weiser committed to CO
By Tom Heffernan 
October 21, 2026
Dear Editor: Phil Weiser is deeply committed to justice and public service. The son and grandson of Holocaust survivors, he will be willing to fight for the American dream. Phil has made it a priority...
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Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Who’s funding statewide measures?
By Carolyn Dresler 
October 21, 2026
Dear Editor: We have seven amendments and seven propositions on our Ouray County ballot. Amendments 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 and 86 and propositions 132 and 136 have as registered agents people from the Wes...
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Looking Back
News
Looking Back
October 21, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago October 20, 1966 A parent-teacher day was introduced into Ouray schools Oct. 14. This...
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Ouray County Plaindealer
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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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