Lee Anna Dowden Duckett

Obituaries

April 23, 2025

June 14, 1938-April 16, 2025

Lee Anna Dowden Duckett was born on June 14, 1938, to Leland and Margret Duckett. She grew up in the beautiful town of Ouray, Colorado, alongside her parents and her beloved brother, Roger Duckett. Ouray held a special place in Lee Anna’s heart throughout her life, and she often spoke fondly of her childhood there.

Lee Anna passed away peacefully on April 16, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she had made her home in recent years. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Leland and Margret, and her devoted husband, Darrell Dowden.

She is survived by her two children, Kathy Ohanrahan and David Dowden; two granddaughters, Gennifer Zamora and Shawna Dowden; and five great-grandchildren. Lee Anna’s legacy of love, strength, and kindness will live on through them.

May she rest in eternal peace. She will forever remain in our hearts—until we meet again.

Main, News...

AN EASTER SHELL-EBRATION

April 23, 2025

Main, News...

County rejects $11,000 legal bill

Commissioners cite lack of justification for reimbursement; Padgett alleges process flawed

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

Ouray County taxpayers won’t foot Commissioner Lynn Padgett’s nearly $11,000 legal bill after commissioners Jake Niece and Michelle Nauer voted against her reimbursement request on Tuesday. Padgett an...

News

Ouray police exodus continues

Sergeant's retirement, sergeant's medical leave temporarily makes chief lone full-timer

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect the Ridgway Marshal's Office has hired a half-time deputy. ___________________ The city of Ouray hired Daric Harvey to stabilize and reform the ...

News

Man accused of drunken driving, spitting on deputy

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

A Ridgway man suspected of hitting a liquor store building with his vehicle, driving drunk and leaving the scene also faces possible felony charges for allegedly spitting on a Ridgway marshal when he ...

News

Ouray council backs rental license nonrenewal

Owners of vacation home failed to rent for 30-day minimum

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

A Ridgway couple who failed to rent their home for at least 30 days in the last year won't be allowed to keep their short-term rental license. Ouray city councilors on Monday night unanimously rejecte...

News

NEWS BRIEFS

Woman released from ICE facility, drugs involved in fatal vehicle crashes, town signs water lease, town seeks info about statue vandalism, Blue Lakes trail to close

April 23, 2025

Ouray woman released from ICE facility A Ouray woman who had been detained since February in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Aurora has been released on bond. After two months, 31-y...

News

Duplex answers a housing Hail Mary

Home Trust's first new-construction project ensures two families can stay in Ridgway

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

For too long, the Patton family had too many discussions about changing school districts or moving away from Ouray County entirely. Now, at their new home on North Laura Street, they can ditch those h...

News

Microgrid creates ‘energy island’ in Ridgway

New system atop Space to Create building ensures lights stay on in power outage

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

When a nearly countywide power outage darkened homes and businesses for an evening last week, the downstairs window at Ridgway’s Space to Create remained glowing with light. That’s because a solar mic...

Columns, Feature...

PREP ROUNDUP

As weather warms, so does Ridgway soccer team

By By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer

April 23, 2025

It’s probably no coincidence that the Ridgway High School girls’ soccer team has heated up on the field as temperatures have warmed up outside. In the sunshine, practices can focus much more on team p...

Feature

‘I want to bring this to other women’

Singletrack Addict encourages female mountain bikers to be playful, confident on the trails

By By Lia Salvatierra lia @ ou ray news, com

April 23, 2025

It’s supposed to feel like summer camp — rooted in playfulness and empowerment — at Singletrack Addict, a new local female-focused mountain biking community and coaching business. Co-owners Jen Sawyer...

Feature

Montrose gift, toy shop expands to Ridgway

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 23, 2025

Sonja Horn was looking for a way to retire from running her gift shop in Montrose when she got a call asking if she’d be interested in opening a second location in Ridgway. So rather than an “exit str...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines