RESERVOIR RAMBLE

Feature

September 25, 2024

RESERVOIR RAMBLE

David Emory — Special to the Plaindealer

Ouray cross country runner Catcher Latta leads the pack at the Ramble at the Reservoir at Ridgway State Park on Sept. 20. Teammate Jeep Demuth follows closely behind in the race. The Ouray boys’ high school team did not have enough participants to place at the meet. Ouray Middle School boys placed third and the Ouray Middle School girls placed second at the meet.

Main, News...

Beetle Mania

Drought conditions prime for insect infestation in county, experts warn

May 6, 2026

In some parts of Ouray County it may look like popcorn grows on trees. The milky, honey-colored pocks on the trunks of ponderosa pines and other trees signal efforts to fend off their attackers: bark ...

Main, News...

Wildfire building rules trigger mix of compliance, skepticism

By By Mike Wiggins, Lia Salvatierra and Erin McIntyre lia@ouraynews.com mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

May 6, 2026

A state mandate requiring local governments to adopt stricter building rules to protect new and remodeled homes against wildfire has sparked varying reactions from elected officials in Ouray County. T...

News

County policy would govern AI use

Manager: 'Folks want to feel we are doing our j obs, not delegating it to AI'

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

May 6, 2026

Ouray County commissioners want to regulate how employees use artificial intelligence when doing county work and limit cybercrime risk. Commissioners on April 29 looked at the first draft of an AI pol...

News

Town to pilot zero-waste rules at concerts

Following strong pushback from businesses, nonprofits, board devises more relaxed regulations

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

May 6, 2026

The town of Ridgway's Sustainability Advisory Board will pilot “zero-waste” rules at the town’s summer concert series, while it continues to craft a broader policy to implement for all events on town ...

Main, News...

Evacuation drill an exercise not in futility

County's first full-scale training May 15 meant to 'test where our holes are'

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

Sirens will wail and residents will likely see emergency vehicles headed through Ridgway, up County Road 5 on May 15. Traffic will filter back into town, with residents headed to an evacuation center....

Main, News...

Mine owner proposes water treatment

Unable to reduce heavy metals in Red Mountain Creek, Newmont exploring building plant atop pass

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

The company that owns the Idarado Mine is exploring the idea of building a treatment plant on Red Mountain Pass to remove heavy metals from water flowing into Red Mountain Creek. Representatives from ...

News

Town mulls affordable housing mandate

Ridgway may require 10% of units to be deed restricted

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

The town of Ridgway will consider requiring developers to reserve 10% of units within market-rate residential projects as affordable housing for local workers and retirees. The proposed “community hou...

News

County appoints new planning commissioner

By LIA SALVATIERRA

April 29, 2026

Ouray County commissioners unanimously appointed Danika Gilbert to the county Planning Commission on Tuesday. Gilbert will take the seat of Jennifer Cram, who resigned from the seven-person board afte...

News

County raises 4-H use fees

Commissioners approve first facility rate increase since 2015

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

Fees for using the Ouray County 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds are going up for the first time in more than a decade, with the aim of making the facility’s operations self-sustaining. It’s the large...

News

County holds firm on road access

Commissioners issue notice of violation to high alpine property owners, seek removal of gates

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

Ouray County may sue the owners of properties north of Red Mountain Pass if they don’t agree to remove two gates and restore public access to a road owned by the county and the U.S. Forest Service. Co...

Letters, Opinion...

MTN Lodge’s refusal to pay tax appalling

By Sheridan Ribbing

April 29, 2026

Dear Editor: I’m appalled at the MTN Lodge's blatant refusal to pay the lodging tax to the town of Ridgway. MTN Lodge has entered into a multiyear agreement with Merrimac Ventures to lease out all of ...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines