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
Columns, Opinion
February 5, 2025
FROM THE PUBLISHERS
Have opinions about the Plaindealer? We want to hear them

Who wants to come have lunch and tell us what you think of the Plaindealer?

Yep, we’re looking for some of our readers to share their opinions. Sounds like fun, right?

We’re inviting readers to apply to be a part of a focus group scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 1. Those selected to participate will be asked to give their perspectives on the newspaper, and we’ll provide a delicious lunch.

We’re looking for a cross-section of readers who represent a variety of voices in the community. We need folks who are willing to give genuine feedback about what they like about what we’re doing, what they want us to keep doing, what they don’t like or would change and what they would be OK with us spending fewer resources on.

We have a trained facilitator coming — a professional who has been working with newspapers across the country for decades. If you want to look him up, his name is Kevin Slimp, and he’s a bit of a newspaper guru who specializes in newspaper design and engaging readers. We were able to obtain grant funds to make his visit possible, and we’re looking forward to having him come visit and help us do an even better job for the community.

You might ask why we’re doing this. Why would we take the time to bring in someone to ask you what you think about your community newspaper? Because we want to understand our audience, and listening to the community is a vital part of having a strong relationship with our readers. Sure, we get plenty of informal feedback every week, when we run into folks around town or readers call or email. But having a structured, purposeful exercise to listen and reflect on our practices and examine how we can serve the community even better is important.

Our goal is to take a cross-section of our readership, gather their perspectives and be able to paint a portrait of observations about the Plaindealer.

If you’re interested in participating in our focus group, please fill out a form here. We’re hoping to have more than enough interested readers, and would love to pick your brains to help us do an even better job serving the community.

Erin McIntyre and Mike Wiggins are the publishers of the Plaindealer. Email them at erin@ouraynews.com and mike@ouraynews.com.

MURAL IN BLOOM
Feature, Main...
MURAL IN BLOOM
By Erin McIntyre 
June 12, 2025
Artist Yulia Avgustinovich works on the mural she was commissioned to paint on the southeast side of the Space to Create building in Ridgway on Monday. Avgustinovich, who has been a professional mural...
this is a test
Prison ordered in sex assault
Main, News...
Prison ordered in sex assault
Judge: Crime shows 'true character' of Ridgway man alternately commended, castigated
By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
June 11, 2025
A judge has sentenced a Ridgway man to three years in prison for sexually assaulting a 28-year-old woman in 2023 after he claimed he was drunk and thought she was his wife. Brian Scranton, 49, hugged ...
this is a test
News
Road, retaining wall fixes nearing $300K
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 11, 2025
The cost of repairing County Road 361 and a retaining wall following a large rockfall is nearing $300,000, a sum Ouray County is paying in full. When commissioners declared the event an emergency in F...
this is a test
News
Trail closures could trigger domino effect
With Blue Lakes, part of Imogene Pass off limits,other areas could see more wear and tear
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 11, 2025
Closures of beloved hiking and off-highway vehicle trails in and around Ouray County this summer could congest and pressure other areas. The popular Blue Lakes trailhead is closed through August due t...
this is a test
News
New power contract amplifies local control
San Miguel Power can generate up to 20% of own energy under Tri-State deal through 2050
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 11, 2025
San Miguel Power Association will continue to purchase power from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association for the next 25 years under a revised contract that gives it the ability to generate...
this is a test
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Feature
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
June 11, 2025
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Ouray film festival returns to the big screen
Feature
Ouray film festival returns to the big screen
Sixth-annual event offers international flavor in intimate setting June 19-22
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
June 11, 2025
Whether you're looking to pop in and view a block of short films or immerse yourself in a cultural experience melding cinema, dance and food, the sixth-annual Ouray International Film Festival has a j...
this is a test
Meet your neighbor: Amy Exstrum
Feature
Meet your neighbor: Amy Exstrum
By By Chloe Kiparsky Plaindealer intern 
June 11, 2025
Name: Amy Exstrum Lives in: Ouray Age: 61 What’s your profession? Well, I’m retired now, but I spent many years as a vocational home economics teacher and the owner of Ouray Bookshop, which we sold to...
this is a test
CALENDAR & EVENTS
Feature
June 12-26, 2025
CALENDAR & EVENTS
June 11, 2025
THURSDAY JUNE 12 LIVE MUSIC: Mountain Air Music Series presents Hayley Jane Band with Heavy Diamond Ring. 6 p.m. at Fellin Park in Ouray. Free. FRIDAY JUNE 13 NATURE PROGRAM: "Mustangs of Spring Creek...
this is a test
News
CLARIFICATION
June 11, 2025
An article published on Page 1 of the June 5 edition of the Plaindealer reported the West Region Wildfire Council did not receive any private donations in 2023, based on the nonprofit's publicly avail...
this is a test
Columns, Opinion...
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Coming soon: A spruced-up Plaindealer
By Erin McIntyre 
June 11, 2025
The Plaindealer just celebrated its 148th birthday. Personally, I don't think it looks a day over 99. Still, from time to time, we need to show the paper some love and spruce it up. That's why we've b...
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