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Opinion
November 29, 2023
Let’s get health help for those in greatest need

Dear Editor: Daniel Schmidt wrote an article about health in the Plaindealer dated Nov. 2-8. In the article he stated the following information: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment dataset revealed that 26.1% of Ouray County children are eligible for Medicaid but not enrolled, which is 314% higher than the statewide average of 6.3%! I was informed by a person in Ouray County Social Services that the Children's Health Insurance Program for children under Medicaid is now free! It is tragic that we have so many children and probably adults too who are eligible for Medicaid and CHIP but are not taking advantage of these federally funded programs. Many families that lack insurance can face financial ruin, particularly very low income families. I’m sure that Ouray Public Health and Social Services do what they can to get folks on these programs but perhaps they could use more help from citizens and organizations in Ouray County. I know mental health is an important issue to many people in the county as evidenced by a recent meeting on the subject at the 4H Center attended by about 50 people. We are meeting again soon and I will bring up this problem to the group.

UPDATE: Body of Ridgway man found in Chaffee County
Main, News...
UPDATE: Body of Ridgway man found in Chaffee County
By Mike 
October 28, 2026
The bodies of a college student from Ridgway and another man were found Wednesday afternoon in Chaffee County, five days after they left for a weekend hiking trip and got caught in a snowstorm. Kaden ...
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A well-deserved honor
Main, News...
A well-deserved honor
By Erin McIntyre 
October 28, 2026
The Telluride Foundation is honoring Williams with its 2026 Volunteer of the Year award. Williams, who moved to Ouray in 1975, is a longtime volunteer and former Ouray city councilor. Her experience i...
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News
Cow Creek project fight heads to key hearing
By Chart Riggall 
October 28, 2026
A Colorado judge will consider next week whether regional water managers have enough ground to stand on to pursue a plan to divert water from Cow Creek into Ridgway Reservoir, as a long-running battle...
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News
SMPA proposes fifth consecutive rate hike
Trio of increases would raise access charge 27%
By Chart Riggall 
October 28, 2026
San Miguel Power Association has proposed to hike its base monthly access charge for the vast majority of its customers from $33 to $42, marking the fifth straight year the power provider has sought a...
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News
Agency warns of ongoing flood threats in burn scar
By Chart Riggall 
October 28, 2026
A U.S. Forest Service survey of the Gold Mountain Fire says flooding and debris flows will likely continue to be dangers within the most severely scorched areas of the burn scar. A report released thi...
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Ridgway college student missing after hike
News
Ridgway college student missing after hike
Searchers looking for Kaden Matsuda, s econd man near Buena Vista
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 28, 2026
Dozens of searchers spent a third day Wednesday looking for a college student from Ridgway and another man who went hiking in the central Colorado mountains last weekend and didn’t return. Kaden Matsu...
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News
Plan to donate land for housing rescinded
Home Trust withdraws Pleasant Valley project application
By James Hanlon 
October 28, 2026
The Home Trust of Ouray County withdrew a request for a land use variance before county commissioners could vote to deny it at a hearing Tuesday. The variance would have allowed Martha Campbell to sub...
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Letters
Romero will be strong voice in Congress
By Dave Ressler 
October 28, 2026
Dear Editor: I am writing regarding a subject with which I am well familiar and about which I care deeply: health care. I am writing as a registered independent voter, and a former longtime and genera...
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Letters
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Vote for Romero is vote for clean air, water
By Ellie Kehmeier 
October 28, 2026
Dear Editor: Let’s face it, we baby boomers are unlikely to see any significant reversal of global warming in our lifetimes. Which means more punishing droughts and heat waves, and more brutal wildfir...
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Letters
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
City leaders bear blame for demise of Ouray PD
By Richard Weston 
October 28, 2026
Dear Editor: The demise of the Ouray Police Department started with city leadership's decision to let former Interim Chief Daric Harvey patrol our streets for months without a full background check. D...
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News
CORRECTION
By Plaindealer Staff 
October 28, 2026
An article in the Oct. 22-28 edition, “County wants water users to take on reservoir lease,” misstated the amount of funds that Tri-County Water Conservancy District receives to operate and manage Our...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

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