TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT

This photo was taken sometime between 1893 and 1900, and shows the Wright Opera House early in its history. The Wright Opera House was built in 1888, by builder Francis Carney, for Ed and George Wright and their wives, Letitia and Lenora. Photo by Henry W. Rathmell, Denver Public Library special collections

News

By Erin McIntyre, on June 9, 2022

This photo was taken sometime between 1893 and 1900, and shows the Wright Opera House early in its history. The Wright Opera House was built in 1888, by builder Francis Carney, for Ed and George Wright and their wives, Letitia and Lenora. Photo by Henry W. Rathmell, Denver Public Library special collections

When Ed and Letitia Wright decided to build the Wright Opera House in Ouray, the mining hamlet offered a different sort of entertainment.

It was 1888, and the town was full of saloons, dance h...

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NEIGHBORS AND HELPERS

EYES ON THE SKY

Daily dedication of Ouray County's weather observers helps sustain decades of data, inform region's climate history

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

September 4, 2024

Every morning, Karen Risch drinks a cup of coffee, puts on a sun, rain or snow hat and heads to her yard. She checks eight different instruments to collect weather data: gathering temperature highs an...

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Athletic field halfway to fundraising goal

Backers of Ridgway soccer field, track and field space have raised $1.8M of $3.3M project cost

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

September 4, 2024

When Ridgway Secondary School students returned to class last week, they did so once again without a soccer field outside the back door of the school or a publicly available track within 30 miles. But...

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Ex-police chief to sue Ouray

Wood alleges city violated free speech, due process rights

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

September 4, 2024

Former Ouray Police Chief Jeff Wood plans to sue the city of Ouray, alleging city leaders violated Wood’s constitutional rights when then-City Administrator Silas Clarke fired Wood in June. In a notic...

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Planning commissioners debate Ridgway’s land-use needs

State, real estate professionals disagree about town's projected growth

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

September 4, 2024

The Ridgway Planning Commission is envisioning what the town should look like in the future. The commission is looking at the economic implications of Ridgway’s land use mix: housing that is sorely ne...

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Ouray to use ex-administrator as consultant

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

September 4, 2024

Silas Clarke left his job as the Ouray city administrator this week, but he will consult city leaders on certain issues through the end of this year. The Ouray City Council unanimously approved an agr...

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Developers required to remove road

Luxury housing builders revegetating area where unpermitted road ran parallel to CR5

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

September 4, 2024

Nearly a year after developers built unpermitted roads and driveways including a road running parallel to County Road 5, Ouray County leaders said they must remove that road, revegetate the area and b...

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Ridgway may loosen regs for accessory units

Town Council to take up ordinance aimed at creating more affordable housing onSept. 11

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

September 4, 2024

Regulations for accessory dwelling units in Ridgway may become looser after the Planning Commission recommended changes to the town’s ordinance. If the Ridgway Town Council approves the ordinance at i...

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Ouray Police blotter, Aug. 27-Sept. 2, 2024

September 4, 2024

OURAY POLICE The following is an excerpt of cases handled by the Ouray Police Department from Aug. 27-Sept. 2: AUG. 27 Officer responded to a reported disturbance in the 400 block of Fourth Avenue. Of...

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Ouray County Sheriff’s Blotter, Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2024

September 4, 2024

OURAY SHERIFF The following is an excerpt of cases handled by the Ouray County Sheriff's Office from Aug. 26-Sept. 1: AUG. 26 Deputy conducted a walk through of Ridgway Elementary and Ouray School. De...

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Ex-police chief to sue Ouray

By Erin McIntyre

September 4, 2024

Opinion

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Continue to shine your light

September 4, 2024

Dear Editor: I write to commend the editors, reporters and entire staff of the Plaindealer on the many awards the paper received last week from the Colorado Press Association. Your work without a doub...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines