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Thomas N. Hollenbeck
Thomas N. Hollenbeck
Obituaries
By News Staff, on April 21, 2022
Thomas N. Hollenbeck

Thomas Neal Hollenbeck was born on May 26, 1957 to Neal and Winnie Hollenbeck in Pocatello, Idaho. The family moved several times due to Neal’s employment with Mountain Bell, but eventually settled in Salt Lake City, Utah, where Tom graduated from East High School. Tom was an avid skier and outdoorsman and worked for several years at The Village Sporthaus. Later he worked Mountain Bell, and eventually joined the Utah National Guard where he flew AH-1 Cobra and AH-64 Apache Helicopters. Tom served his nation honorably in Desert Storm.

Tom married Colleen Kendig in 1982 and had two children, Harley and Hannah. The family moved to Ouray, Colorado in 1992, where Tom built a home and started a small helicopter business. Tom worked a variety of jobs as a pilot, including for numerous Ouray Mountain Rescue missions, Telluride Ski Resort and for what became Telluride Helitrax. After an injury that ended Tom’s pilot career, he found long-term employment with Ouray Schools as the Facilities Manager and as a math tutor. Many students remember Tom’s sarcastic wit and practical teaching methods. Tom was a skilled woodworker and loved making toys for his children and nieces and nephews. Tom also enjoyed wrenching on cars.

Tom moved back to Salt Lake City in 2012 and spent many cherished years with his mother and her partner Richard Brown, sister Teresa, and brother-in-law Brian. Tom returned to college in his late 50s at Westminster College, pursuing an Aviation Management certification.

Tom is survived by his son Harley (Ann) Hollenbeck and their daughter Fay, of Renton, WA; Hannah Hollenbeck of Ouray, CO; mother Winnie Hollenbeck of Salt Lake City, UT; sister Teresa (Brian) Garrett and her family of Salt Lake City, UT.

Firefighters gain ground on Gold Mountain Fire
Main, News...
Firefighters gain ground on Gold Mountain Fire
Sheriff allows some evacuees to return home; blaze shifts away from populated areas
By By Mike Wiggins, Erin McIntyre and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
July 8, 2026
Residents forced to flee the Gold Mountain Fire north of Ouray nearly two weeks ago returned to charred landscapes but fully intact homes Wednesday, an indication that authorities believe the threat h...
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Despite fire, downsized Fourth celebration marches on
Main, News...
Despite fire, downsized Fourth celebration marches on
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
July 8, 2026
A scaled-back Fourth of July celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States and 150th birthday of Ouray attracted thousands to the city, despite the cancellation of fireworks, water fights and...
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First fire, then floods? Leaders start planning for next potential emergency
News
First fire, then floods? Leaders start planning for next potential emergency
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
July 8, 2026
Even though the Gold Mountain Fire is still burning, Ouray County officials are already thinking about flash flood risks in the burn scar as Colorado moves into monsoon season. “This is a predictable ...
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News
Water providers ask customers to pull back
Ridgway enacts mandatory irrigation restrictions
By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
July 8, 2026
Water managers in Ouray County are asking residents to curtail water use and avoid putting more demand on their distribution systems in light of the Gold Mountain Fire and ongoing tinder-dry condition...
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News
Looking Back
50 Years Ago
July 8, 2026
July 7, 1966 Charges have been filed in Ouray County Court against three Ouray youths for violation of state statutes in climbing over a fence at the municipal swimming pool last Friday and breaking b...
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News
Following outcry, Ouray seeks gym solutions
City may move fitness center to empty building, assess bathhouse for possible remodel
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 8, 2026
The city of Ouray is thinking about moving the fitness center from inside the historic bathhouse at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool to an empty building across the street from the Ouray Community Center. C...
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Editor Picks
A foam-filled Fourth
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A foam-filled Fourth
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Good For You!
Feature
Good For You!
Celebrating 90 years, Neighbor to Neighbor's 20th anniversary and Ridgway mayor honored with good governance award
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Editor's note: The caption on the photo of Carl Dismant's birthday has been corrected to include Barry Maclennan's name, instead of Paul Elmont ______________ Neighbor to Neighbor celebrated its 20th ...
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Calendar & Events
Calendar & Events, Feature...
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Some evacuated areas will reopen to residents Wednesday
News
Some evacuated areas will reopen to residents Wednesday
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The Ouray County sheriff is allowing some residents to return to their homes in evacuated areas starting Wednesday morning. The sheriff's office approved re-entry for credentialed residents who live i...
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Wildlife displaced by fire, residents can help by providing water for animals
News
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Commissioners to discuss emergency plans for flooding
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Wildlife escaping the Gold Mountain Fire are moving closer to town, prompting state wildlife officials to advise the public on how they can simultaneously help animals and give them the space they nee...
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First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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