OURAY COUNTY LOOKING BACK

Columns

By News Staff, on March 15, 2023

50 YEARS AGO

March 15, 1973 – Editorial: The March 6th news story from the Montrose Daily Press is reprinted, page five, this week, not for sympathy but because some letters to the editor in this issue might not make sense otherwise. The news story was reported fairly enough, as were similar reports in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, so don’t get rough with those publications for doing their job. Had the report of the Tri-County Executive Board’s letter not been printed, we might nev...

Local briefs: Ridgway appoints two to sustainability board, updates marshal overtime policy

Town seeks bike park design proposals, moves forward with pre-approved ADU plan designs

By James Hanlon

September 17, 2026

New members appointed to sustainability board The Ridgway Town Council appointed Terry Schuyler and Christiane Frischmuth to the Ridgway Sustainability Advisory Board after brief interviews at the Sep...

Main, News...

County: Layoffs likely

Commissioners, administrators warn of job cuts to close $1.5 million gap; staff criticizes leaders for not addressing problem earlier

By James Hanlon

September 16, 2026

Ouray County will likely need to lay off employees to make up a projected $1.5 million gap between requested expenses and revenue next year, county officials warned at a budget workshop on Sept. 9. Th...

Main, News...

Disaster tax not ‘backfill’ for fire costs, leaders say

By Chart Riggall

September 16, 2026

In the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s declaration of the Gold Mountain Fire as a major federal disaster, Ouray County commissioners say the potential influx of additional federal funds doesn't ...

News

Town considers options for sewer plant location

By James Hanlon

September 16, 2026

The Ridgway Town Council wants to see some dollar estimates before deciding where to build a new wastewater treatment plant. Town staff briefed the council on three possible locations north of town at...

News

City prepared to pay fees for housing project

Despite some councilors' misgivings, Ouray in line to give more money to deed-restricted apartment complex

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

September 16, 2026

The city of Ouray is set to provide up to $225,000 to a nonprofit organization to cover water and sewer tap and building permit fees for a 13-unit affordable housing project. At City Administrator Mic...

News

Owl Creek Pass, Silver Jack Reservoir areas reopen after fire

Gold Mountain Fire closure area reduced

By Plaindealer Staff

September 16, 2026

The closure area associated with the Gold Mountain Fire was reduced on Tuesday, reopening several roads and recreation areas in time for fall color season. The reopened areas include Owl Creek Pass, S...

Letters, Opinion...

With water shortage, recreation shouldn’t trump irrigators

By Leanna Roberts

September 16, 2026

Dear Editor: Regarding the Aspen Journalism article that published in the Sept. 10 edition of the Plaindealer, I would like to respond to statements made by RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service owner Tim Pat...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Local agencies can do more to protect public lands

By Alex Menard

September 16, 2026

Dear Editor: The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service are proposing two management changes with profound effects on our public lands throughout the West and in our local mountain...

News

County won’t fill deputy emergency manager job

By James Hanlon

September 16, 2026

Ouray County Manager Antonio Mendez will recommend county commissioners not rehire a deputy emergency manager in order to save costs, he told staff at a meeting about budget cuts Tuesday morning at th...

Calendar & Events, Feature...

Calendar & Events

Sept. 17-30, 2026

September 16, 2026

Thursday, September 17 Stillhouse Junkies live music, doors open at 6 p.m. at the Wright Opera House, 472 Main St. in Ouray. Advance tickets $20 at thewrightoperahouse.org, $25 day of show, $35 reserv...

Obituaries

Suzanne K. Brown

September 16, 2026

Suzanne Kay Kircher was born to parents Ken and Doral Kircher on April 1, 1941 in Twin Falls, Idaho. Throughout her life she put up with mild teasing about being an April Fool's baby. She attended sch...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines