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Sandra Sue Smith
Sandra Sue Smith
Obituaries
By News Staff, on March 1, 2023
Sandra Sue Smith

July 11, 1944-Feb. 19, 2023

Sandra Sue Smith, was born in Aurora, Colorado on July 11th, 1944. She graduated from Granby, Colorado, then married Thomas Tucker in September 29, 1962. She had her 1st born son, Shane Tucker, he was born in September 29, 1963. Followed by his sister Cassy Tucker on October 31, 1966. They moved from Fraser, Colorado to Ouray, Colorado in 1972, where she found employment at Duckett’s Market for the following 16 years. That was followed by opening her home to daycare for many of the county’s growing population to whom she became a mother-like figure. In the following years she closed her home as she sought employment at Wolf Creek Cattle Company, where she retired in 2004.

After the passing of her husband Thomas Tucker, she moved to Aztec, New Mexico. She attended a high school reunion in 2004. She met an old high school acquaintance, Fred Smith, and shortly after they got married in 2005 and then for the next 17 years they enjoyed many travels, fishing and camping as well as their children and their grandchildren and followed by many great grandchildren. In her life she made many cherished friends and loved ones, her life was a life full of love and happiness, which was her wish, for her and her family. She passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 11:56 a.m. surrounded by her loved ones per her wishes in her home.

City to keep police department
Main, News...
City to keep police department
Ouray to retain on-call model, offer raises to officers, while sheriff leads hiring, training efforts
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
May 20, 2026
The city of Ouray will retain and rebuild its own independent police department but rely on Ouray County Sheriff Justin Perry to lead the hiring and training of its officers until a new police chief c...
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Runners go the distance to claim state titles
Main, News...
Runners go the distance to claim state titles
Ridgway's Hessler, Ouray's Skoloda win 3200-meter races; Demon girls finish second
By By Bernie Pearce Special to the Plaindealer 
May 20, 2026
LAKEWOOD — Both runners had established new personal bests and school records during the regular season. Both entered the state track and field championship ranked No. 1 in their respective classifica...
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News
Ouray County EMS to raise fees
Charges for treatment, transport to increase for first time since 2018
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 20, 2026
Ouray County commissioners plan to raise fees for treatment and ambulance transports from Ouray County Emergency Medical Services starting in June. Commissioners reviewed proposed fee increases prepar...
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Mass evacuation exercise tests county’s preparedness
News
Mass evacuation exercise tests county’s preparedness
Half-day event features volunteers feigning injuries, refusing to leave and generally creating chaos — in the name of training for a real emergency
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 20, 2026
At 9:28 a.m., Amy Clewell and her two pretend siblings gathered in her driveway in Elk Meadows, debating whether it was time to call for help. They watched a stream of law enforcement vehicles and fir...
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Citizens organized against councilor
News
Citizens organized against councilor
At least 14 people sent letters to council urging vote against Gulde appointment
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
May 20, 2026
Former Ouray City Councilor Tamara Gulde ran into an organized effort to keep her from returning to public office earlier this year after she lost the November race for mayor, then sought to fill a va...
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News
Ridgway rolls out banner program
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 20, 2026
A banner ornamenting Ridgway’s skyscape is waving over Sherman Street and is now available to advertise town-sponsored and nonprofit events in town. The banner structure is the product of more than a ...
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Local Briefs
Man arrested after shots fired in home Free naloxone
May 20, 2026
A Ouray man was arrested and booked into the Montrose County Jail on suspicion of menacing, reckless endangerment, illegally discharging a firearm and prohibited use of a firearm after law enforcement...
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Looking Back
News
Looking Back
May 20, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago May 19, 1966 The Ouray City Council was asked Monday night to consider redirecting th...
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News
After prolonged debate, idling rules fail
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 20, 2026
“Idle-Free Ridgway” remains a motto rather than a rule after the Ridgway Town Council last week voted down an anti-idling ordinance that has drawn zealous support and opposition over the past five mon...
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Larry Gene Haller
Obituaries
Larry Gene Haller
May 20, 2026
September 18, 1944 – May 9, 2026 Larry Gene Haller was born September 18, 1944, in Grand Junction, Colorado, to Owen and Dorothy Haller. He passed on May 9, 2026, at home in Ridgway, Colorado. Larry m...
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Calendar & Events
Calendar & Events, Feature...
Calendar & Events
May 21-June 4, 2026
May 20, 2026
THURSDAY MAY 21 After-school story time for elementary students, 4–4:45 p.m. at the Ouray Public Library, 320 Sixth Ave. Community book club, noon-1 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library. Bring lunch and...
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Ouray County Plaindealer
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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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