Fire victims in limbo

Rudy and Amy Stauffer stand next to a new tree they planted on their property in northern Ouray County, with the new home they built on their previous home's foundation after it burned three years ago in the Simms Fire. The 313-acre fire was caused by a prescribed burn set by the U.S. Forest Service. After three years, they are still waiting for compensation. Erin McIntyre — Ouray County Plaindealer

Main, News

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com on June 4, 2025

Three years after federal prescribed burn destroyed their home, family has no answers or compensation

She spent three months carefully itemizing everything they lost in the fire, trying to remember what was in kitchen drawers and closets.

Main, News...

Wildfire mitigation nonprofit shrinks

Expecting funding cuts, West Region Wildfire Council trims staff, ends free services

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 4, 2025

A wildfire-mitigation nonprofit organization covering one of the state’s most drought-ridden regions including Ouray County is scaling back staff and free programming in anticipation of federal fundin...

News

Mobile home park deed restrictions delayed

Swiss Village residents say limitations too restrictive

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

June 4, 2025

The Ouray City Council postponed approving a series of deed restrictions for the Swiss Village Mobile Home Park on Monday after residents who are on the cusp of buying the property objected, saying th...

Feature

A HEART FOR ADVOCACY

After leading special education services in the San Juans for 12 years,Tammy Johnson is retiring, giving way to a new director

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 4, 2025

A good administrator never forgets what it’s like to be a teacher. Those are the words signing off Tammy Johnson’s email and ones she’s lived by while leading the Uncompahgre Board of Cooperative Educ...

Feature

Choral festival returns to San Juans

Weeklong event offers array of compositions

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

June 4, 2025

Fans of the choral arts have several events to choose from at the second San Juan Choral Festival coming up this week – including everything from a free concert with an ice cream social on Sunday in R...

News

Ridgway water repair design moves ahead

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 4, 2025

Ridgway is drawing closer to rebuilding its destroyed water system after town councilors agreed on a new water diversion design during a special meeting Monday night. Though town councilors will vote ...

News

NEWS BRIEFS

City ok's hot springs pool price increases, Ridgway marshal seeks info on theft, deadline to appeal property valuations is June 9, city gives $100k for anniversary concert

June 4, 2025

Deadline to appeal property valuations June 9 Ouray County property owners have until Monday, June 9, to object to their property valuations for 2025. The Ouray County Assessor’s Office mailed notices...

Calendar & Events, Feature...

CALENDAR & EVENTS

June 5–19, 2025

June 4, 2025

THURSDAY JUNE 5 CEMETERY TOUR: Dallas Park Cemetery tour with sexton Coleen McElroy, 10 a.m., 7690 Colorado Highway 62. $20 per person, RSVP to the Ouray County Museum at 970-325-4576. MEETING: San Mi...

News

CORRECTIONS

June 4, 2025

An article on Page 13 of the May 29 edition included a typo in Luis Bolaños’ email address. The correct address is luisbob-62cr@gmail.es. A photo on Page 1 of the May 29 edition incorrectly identified...

Columns, Opinion...

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Weary of mail problems? Try the e-edition

By Mike Wiggins

June 4, 2025

The newspaper you’re reading is mailed to nearly 900 post office boxes and street addresses in more than 40 states every week and sent to more than 1,300 email addresses. Once in a while, a mailed new...

Main, News...

A TIME FOR TEARS, CHEERS

May 28, 2025

Main, News...

Mobile home park deal nearly done

Swiss Village residents secure big state grant, set to close June 12

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

May 28, 2025

For residents of Ouray’s Swiss Village Mobile Home Park, pulling together everything that’s needed to buy the land underneath their homes is like assembling a giant jigsaw puzzle. After spending nearl...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines