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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.

A barrel of fun on Labor Day
Main
A barrel of fun on Labor Day
September 9, 2026
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Main, News...
Water restrictions exception, not rule
Colorado is on track for its warmest year ever. Source flows are diminishing or at historic lows. So why has only one water provider in Ouray County ordered cutbacks this summer?
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
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In the early days of summer, it remained a matter of some debate where the drought of 2026 ranked in the annals of long, hot Colorado summers. For Cary Denison, Ouray County’s representative on the Co...
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Main
Trump declares disaster for fire
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
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Move frees up federal relief money President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for the Gold Mountain and Aspen Acres fires, unlocking millions of dollars in Federal Emergency Manageme...
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Crews working to plug old water well
News
Crews working to plug old water well
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By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
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News
Parking enforcement nixes popular highway camping spot
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
September 9, 2026
Officials cite concerns about safety, health at Tuffy's Corner A highway pullout popular for overnight camper parking north of Ouray has been empty in recent weeks since ‘no camping’ signs were instal...
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News
Fourteen measures to appear on statewide ballot
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By By Chase Woodruff Colorado Newsline 
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The Colorado secretary of state’s office on Friday certified the list of ballot measures going before voters in November 2026 — and once again, the list is a long one. A total of 14 measures will be d...
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Disaster relief tax an investment in resilience
By Bruce Ward 
September 9, 2026
Dear Editor: I am writing to express my strong support for a dedicated Ouray County tax to provide funding for disaster relief, emergency preparedness, and community recovery. Those of us who live in ...
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Grateful to tell stories here, ink stains and all
Columns, Opinion...
Grateful to tell stories here, ink stains and all
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Sometimes, I journal to process major life events. I’ve lived in a lot of places worth journaling about and my latest move is no exception. I’ve been in Ouray for six weeks now and I’m struck by the s...
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Looking Back
News
Looking Back
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Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago September 8, 1966 The Colorado Board of Public Health has ordered Ouray to appear bef...
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Columns, Feature...
PREP ROUNDUP
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Fall is in the air, and so are volleyballs arcing over the net for remarkable rallies and soccer balls rocketing into the net for breath-taking goals. Fleet feet are crisply hitting the street to conq...
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