From the Ouray County Herald, Ouray County Plaindealer and the Ridgway Sun

October 11, 1973 – The editor of the Plaindealer was more than a little horrified to have it drawn to her attention by several readers that a long-awaited article by David Sumner in Colorado Magazine was overlooked last week. Other articles of area interest were pointed out, which are included in the current Sept-Oct issue, but the lengthy feature on Kurt Kircher’s ski-touring operation in Ouray was not mentioned in the Plaindealer.

What really rankles the editor is that she steered Sumner, the magazine’s conservation editor, to the feature in the first place. The moment the magazine comes out, the index is always checked to see what features of local interest might be included, and mention is usually made when it seems warranted. The ski-touring feature wasn’t included in the index. The feature is enjoyable reading, describing trips Sumner and his wife, Judy, made last winter with Kurt Kircher, ski-touring guide and instructor in Ouray.

40 YEARS AGO

October 13, 1983 – Immediately following their wedding on Miller Mesa last Saturday afternoon, the automobile occupied by Larry Brown, 27, of Denver, and Diane Bowman Brown, 21, of Olathe, went off the East Dallas road at Willow Swamp. According to the report filed by State Trooper Ray Williams, the Browns were northbound when their vehicle went off the left side of the road and rolled downhill 60 feet, throwing the Browns from the vehicle before it came to a stop upside down. Brown, son of Jimmy Brown, formerly of Ridgway, was reported to have been badly injured, including possible injuries to his collarbone, head, upper left thigh bone, upper spine, ribs, and wrist, as well as lacerations. His wife was reported to have suffered possible injuries to her ribs, left lower leg, back and shoulder, and lacerations. According to Undersheriff Jerry Wakefield of the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office, due to the severity of the injuries, the weather, and the location of the victims, it was 2 ½ hours before the Browns were on their way to the Montrose Memorial Hospital in the county ambulance.

30 YEARS AGO

October 14, 1993 – City Market officials unveiled a new plan for opening a grocery store in Ridgway to a crowd packed into Ridgway Community Center on Tuesday, Oct. 12, during a forum arranged by Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce (RACC) and Ridgway-Ouray Community Council (ROCC). More than 260 people attended, many standing three deep around the edges. They came to hear what Tony Prinster, City Market president; John Caldwell, director of real estate for City Market; Ned Bosworth, architect; and others had to say. The new plans as presented call for building a City Market on the northern side of Ridgway USA behind the existing pond. The parking lot would be to the south of the store, where a parking lot already exists. Bosworth, who designed the site plan, explained that the existing Cim-Juan/Ridgway Land Company building would be between the parking lot and Highway 550, with room for additional buildings to the north of that building. The proposal calls for a 25,000 square-foot store ground level.

20 YEARS AGO

October 10, 2003 – The Ouray Elks Lodge is sponsoring a unique fundraiser for those wondering what Lodge Secretary Dave McMurrin of Ouray looks like without any hair from the neck up. A drawing to “Shave Dave” (beard and head, not eyebrows) – or to claim a $100 grand prize for the person less curious – take place on Saturday, Oct, 18. Second and third place winners also receive cash awards. Regardless of whether or not Dave is shaved, all proceeds go toward a worthy cause, the Elks’ youth scholarship program. Tickets are $1 each, six for $5 or 30 for $20, available from McMurrin himself.

10 YEARS AGO

October 10, 2013 – The 49th annual raffle Jeep won’t be traveling very far to its permanent home this year as seasonal Ouray resident Don Morris is the proud owner of the bright red, “Ouray edition” vehicle.

Morris, a native of Ouray, said he bought raffle tickets for many years in support of the Ouray Chamber Resort Association and their efforts in the community. Likewise, he mentioned that he and his wife were big supporters of many charities and programs in the community. “We were fortunate enough to be drawn and are looking forward to picking up our Jeep,” said Morris. Currently at his winter home in Arizona, Morris will be returning to Ouray next week to claim his prize. This year, the Jeep raffle sold around 23,000 tickets, bringing in right around $72,000 in sales, which is an all-time high compared to previous years’ ticket sales.