Journalism fundraiser offers documentary screening

News

By Special To The Plaindealer, on October 13, 2021

The critical importance of an independent free press to a thriving democracy and the vital role played by small-town newspapers will be center stage at a special screening of an award-winning documentary on Monday.

“Storm Lake: A newspaper, a family, a community” will be shown at 7 p.m. Monday at the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride.

The film, to be aired on PBS later this year and directed by Jerry Risius and Beth Levison, is the moving story of a courageous small-town editor determi...

Main, News...

‘Pinched on every front’

Historic drought, wildfires, high feed prices strain local ranchers

By Chart Riggall

August 12, 2026

One breezy afternoon in mid-July, Mike Potter's phone started making all kinds of noise. “It goes, beep, beep, beep, beep!” shouted the Ridgway rancher, brandishing his flip phone from the pocket of h...

Main, News...

Flood work could begin within week

By Chart Riggall

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Ouray County officials said Tuesday that flood mitigation work below the Gold Mountain Fire’s burn scar could begin as soon as next week, while warning that storms in the coming days could trigger fur...

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Firefighter base moves to Gunnison

Fairgrounds empty as focus shifts to Elk Fire

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The incident command post for the Gold Mountain Fire relocated to the Gunnison County Fairgrounds Saturday as Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2 took over for Team 1 and combined effort...

Feature

County fair carries on

Fire doesn't stop 4-H kids from showing their animals this week

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

August 12, 2026

The night the Gold Mountain Fire started, the Cornell family anxiously watched the fire spreading toward their fenced livestock, the billowing smoke filling the canyon. They decided to load up their h...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

We need to stand firm to preserve alpine tundra

By Dianne Eschman

August 12, 2026

Dear Editor: The July 23 guest column by Sue Dreamweaver Spielman was excellent and brings up so many issues that we regular backcountry users experience. I have been recreating in this area since 197...

Letters, Opinion...

County clerk provided excellent service

By Jim Myers

August 12, 2026

Dear Editor: I would like to acknowledge the excellent service I received from Damon Todd, Ouray County clerk and recorder. I had a question/complaint about the online vehicle license renewal system. ...

Letters, Opinion...

Rather than sales tax, charge CR 361 road toll

By Jeremy Hellman

August 12, 2026

Dear Editor: I agree with the recent proposal by Ouray County to fund a rainy-day account for use in seemingly annual “emergencies” such as the rockfall last year on County Road 361, the cleanup from ...

News

Looking Back

August 12, 2026

Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago With progress on the Ouray side of Imogene Pass Jeep road nearing completion, plans a...

News

County inches ahead with possible tax questions

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

August 12, 2026

Attorney: Must get buy-in from city, town to proceed with sales, use taxes Ouray County commissioners on Tuesday took another step toward putting two tax measures on the November ballot to raise money...

News

Visitors cited for feeding bears

Wildlife officials kill bruin after it entered home, broke car window

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

August 12, 2026

Wildlife officials killed a bear last weekend after it entered a home on North Oak Street and broke out a car window in Ouray, seeking food. The same week, Colorado Parks and Wildlife District Manager...

News

County OKs fire recovery manager job

State grant will cover half of $300,000 cost for three-year position

By James Hanlon

August 12, 2026

Ouray County commissioners approved the creation of a recovery manager position Tuesday to help coordinate recovery efforts from the Gold Mountain Fire over the next three years. The Colorado Departme...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

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