Videos E-edition
Top stories of 2023: Fight over winter vehicle access ends at high court
A gate blocks public access to the upper portion of County Road 5 in this file photo from February 2022. The Colorado Supreme Court last week declined to hear an appeal over access, effectively upholding a state Court of Appeals ruling allowing Ouray County to restrict vehicular traffic when snow-packed conditions exist. Erin McIntyre — Ouray County Plaindealer
News
By Daniel Schmidt daniel@ouraynews.com, on December 27, 2023
Top stories of 2023: Fight over winter vehicle access ends at high court

The five-year-long battle over winter vehicle access on County Road 5 ended in the Colorado Supreme Court this August, leaving the owners of a local guide service in the cold after the court declined to hear their appeal.

Main, News...
Mine shaft wasn’t identified as hazard
State vows to secure opening quickly following Ridgway woman's death
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
October 29, 2025
A dangerous, water-filled mine shaft where a woman's body was found last week had not yet been identified for closure by state officials charged with securing hazardous mine openings. Though the state...
Main, News...
Pushback against wolves grows
Ranchers oppose release in county; feds seek to block state
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 29, 2025
The Ouray County Cattlemen’s Association has objected to releasing wolves in the county, amid other efforts potentially complicating or stifling wolf reintroduction in the region this winter. A letter...
News
Council nixes alcohol at hot springs
Ouray parks director had suggested limited sales at special events next year to generate revenue
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 29, 2025
The Ouray City Council rejected a proposal Monday to sell alcohol at three special events at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool next year, concluding the costs and risks outweigh the potential revenue. Parks ...
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
News
Mayoral hopefuls make pitches to voters
At candidates' forum, Gulde, Underwood agree on most issues, part ways on some
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 29, 2025
Ouray's mayoral candidates agreed last week the biggest challenge facing the city is a breakdown in communication and understanding between the city council and residents and pledged to fix that gap. ...
Residents praise interim police chief
News
Residents praise interim police chief
Administrator says meet-and-greet important part of process of filling permanent job
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 29, 2025
Mark Rozich and Karen Risch were happy to duck inside Cassidy’s Cafe & Antiques on a rainy evening last week and share their opinions about Ouray’s interim police chief, Daric Harvey. They’re just not...
Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Setting record straight on fairgrounds
October 29, 2025
Dear Editor: It seems things are NOT going well with Ouray County. From what I've read in the Plaindealer, it seems that Commissioner Lynn Padgett is "hinting" that I did NOT perform my job appropriat...
News
CORRECTION
October 29, 2025
An article on Page 1 of the Oct. 23-29 edition incorrectly stated Ouray County manager finalist Antonio Mendez is originally from the Dominican Republic. Mendez is Dominican-American and was born in t...
Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Gulde’s experience makes her best choice
October 29, 2025
Dear Editor: We are writing in support of Tamara Gulde for mayor of the city of Ouray. Tamara’s experience as a city councilor, planning commissioner, community master plan steering committee member, ...
Facebook

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

195 S Lena St. Unit D
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Ouray County Plaindealer