Videos Login Subscribe Renew E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
Feature
By From the Ouray County Herald, Ouray County Plaindealer and the Ridgway Sun, on August 14, 2024
OURAY COUNTY
LOOKING BACK
40 YEARS AGO

Aug. 11, 1974 – Rick Trujillo not only won the Pikes Peak annual marathon but he won it for the second year in a row, and broke his own record in doing so. Rick covered the tough 28.6 mile marathon in 3.36:40, shaving over three minutes from his 1973 record. There was pride, and the desire to show community appreciation for his accomplishments. A word-of-mouth campaign got about 35 fans of all ages assembled in front of his home, with cowbells, pans, other noisemakers and signs, to surprise him with a “welcome home” celebration as he drove up. The Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph reported he galloped across the finish line “face contorted in pain and body weak and dehydrated,” gasping for water. Within minutes, he was walking around, accepting congratulations, posing for pictures and talking to spectators. His nearest competition didn’t show up for nearly 26 more minutes. “I don’t really consider this a true marathon because of the terrain,” he said. “I just call it a mountain run.”

 

Aug. 16, 1984 – Ten people were injured on Aug. 11 around noon when the 1978 Chevrolet Blazer in which they were all riding went off the left edge of a stretch of the Yankee Boy Basin road about seven miles from Ouray. The vehicle went 21 feet down into a gully and came to rest on its side, according to the Colorado State Patrol. Both Ouray County ambulances responded to the accident. According to William Doll, one of the EMTs assisting, the large ambulance went first and went as far toward the accident scene as it could. Its crew then caught a ride with another vehicle and took equipment up to the scene of the accident. The four-wheel-drive ambulance carried three of the victims back to the large ambulance, then went back to the scene for more victims. All were taken to Montrose Memorial Hospital. The state patrol reported that the injuries included sprains, cuts, bruises, strains and a possible fractured nose and a broken jaw.

 

Aug. 18, 1994 – Progress on the proposed drainage project for Fifth, Sixth and Seventh avenues in Ouray has temporarily slowed while the city looks for the best way to proceed with the work after receiving just one bid and at a cost which was more than had been anticipated for the job. According to Mayor Pat Donovan and City Administrator David Vince, that bid was over budget and over the engineer’s estimate by about 13%. Council did not disclose the name of the bidder or the amount bid during Monday’s regular meeting, however. Donovan outlined the possible ways the city could proceed with a partial project within the budget, including doing a complete job but limiting the area or doing just a portion of the work over the entire prescribed area. After some discussion those councilmen present indicated a preference for a complete job in just certain areas with the three intersections on Main Street getting initial attention due to the concern for better conditions for pedestrians, especially in the winter.

 

Aug, 13, 2004 – A horrific Jeep rollover accident on Imogene Pass Road Aug. 7 claimed the lives of a couple from Colorado Springs. The accident was the second two-fatality vehicle plunge near the top of a local pass in the past two weeks. In both cases, the vehicles involved were privately owned, not rentals. Two boys were seriously hurt in the accident, in which Daniel Gluklick, 50, and Jeanine Gluklick, 47, died. The Gluklicks’ son, Cole, 11, and family friend, Ian Nordstrom, 7, were injured. Both boys were evacuated from the scene by a flight-for-life helicopter to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. In addition to Cole, the couple is survived by two daughters, Corinne, 18, and Chloe, 15. On August 9, Cole was listed in critical condition and Ian was in serious but stable condition. The 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling in a northbound direction, from Telluride, when the tragic accident occurred. Ouray County Sheriff Junior Mattivi said the driver had pulled over onto a steep embankment to let an oncoming vehicle pass. As the vehicle turned back onto the road, it may have hit a large rock or dropped into a hole. The accident scene was measured by laser to find that the SUV had fallen over 1,300 feet. All four passengers were ejected from the vehicle. The accident, and suggestions to improve safety on the Imogene Pass Road were discussed at the Board of County Commissioners meeting. It was suggested that the road become one-way, from Telluride. “I don’t know if it would be any safer,” said Mattivi. “It’s hard to say at this point.”

 

Aug. 14, 2014

With six hopefuls applying for the two city council vacancies, the new members will be appointed on Aug. 18. This will be the second time this year and the third time since last summer that the council has had to fill vacancies on the board. The positions are open due to the resignations of John Ferguson and Richard Kersen. Council hopefuls include real estate broker Carl Cockle, entrepreneur Eli Doose, business owner Dee Hilton, Ice Park manager Kevin Koprek, hotel owner Chad Leaver and attorney Paul Sunderland, all of whom have submitted letters of interest. With two seats open, there’s no clear process outlined in the city’s Home Rule Charter on how to fill vacancies. Article 2-5-C states that vacancies “shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining council members” and the person appointed “shall serve until the appointed term concludes.”

– Compiled by Chloe Kiparsky

 

Smoke blankets Ouray County as wildfires burn in region
News
Smoke blankets Ouray County as wildfires burn in region
By Mike Wiggins 
July 11, 2025
Heavy smoke and haze choked Ouray County for a second straight day Friday as a series of wildfires churned through tinder-dry trees and brush in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah. The Colora...
this is a test
Signs of trouble in Ouray
Main, News...
Signs of trouble in Ouray
City halts production after public backlash over size, appearance of wayfinding signs
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 9, 2025
Ouray business owners and residents threw up a symbolic stop sign in front of the city council on Monday, urging city leaders to pause or altogether abandon plans to install dozens of new wayfinding s...
this is a test
Go Fourth and celebrate
Main, News...
Go Fourth and celebrate
July 9, 2025
The crowd cheers as a fire department tanker truck sprays the wet side of the street during the July 4 parade in Ouray. Ouray Tourism and Destination Marketing Director Kailey Rhoten said cellular dat...
this is a test
Main, News...
County scrambles to pay for road repairs from rockfall
Leaders pull from multiple sources to cover $300,000 tab, look to replenish emergency fund
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 9, 2025
Ouray County is scraping together money to pay for emergency repairs on County Road 361 while looking for ways to replenish its emergency fund in anticipation of other disasters. During a work session...
this is a test
News
Hot Springs moves forward with upgrades
Council OKs bathhouse design contract; pipeline replacement, heat exchange system on tap this fall
By By Lia Salvatierra and Mike Wiggins lia@ouraynews.com mike@ouraynews.com 
July 9, 2025
A series of much-anticipated upgrades to the Ouray Hot Springs Pool is coming together, with the city beginning infrastructure replacements this fall and searching for ways to pay for building a new b...
this is a test
News
Foyster named to Planning Commission
By Plaindealer Staff 
July 9, 2025
Pam Foyster of Ridgway has been appointed to the Ouray County Planning Commission with her term ending April 30, 2028. Foyster, a semi-retired nurse, also serves on the Ridgway Planning Commission. Bo...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
News
Woman rescued from Ouray Via Ferrata
By Plaindealer Staff 
July 9, 2025
A 42-year-old Denver woman was rescued on July 3 after she fell and broke her leg while climbing in the Ouray Via Ferrata, according to the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team. The woman was climbing the upstr...
this is a test
News
County pauses changes to event center fee schedule
By Plaindealer Staff 
July 9, 2025
Fees to use the Ouray County 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds will not change for now. Ouray County commissioners decided Tuesday to hold off approving a new fee schedule until they better understand ...
this is a test
News
Sex assault trial reset for January
By Plaindealer Staff 
July 9, 2025
The trial of a man accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in 2023 has been rescheduled for January. Seventh Judicial Chief District Judge Cory Jackson scheduled an eight-day trial to begin ...
this is a test
News
County OKs relocation of Log Hill mailboxes
By Plaindealer Staff 
July 9, 2025
Ouray County commissioners unanimously approved a plan Tuesday to relocate a series of mailboxes for Fairway Pines subdivision residents on Log Hill Mesa. The board approved a memorandum of understand...
this is a test
A patriotic way to celebrate the Fourth
Columns, Opinion...
FROM THE PUBLISHER
A patriotic way to celebrate the Fourth
By Erin McIntyre 
July 9, 2025
"Are you the newspaper? Are we gonna be in the paper?" These are questions I hear when people see me taking photos at parades. I usually shrug my shoulders and smile, because the truth is I don't know...
this is a test
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

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy