Application period opens for county manager job

News

July 16, 2025

Ouray County’s next administrator will be required to live within the county.

That’s just one of the requirements listed in the application to become Ouray County’s next manager, which is open after commissioners approved specifics around the type of candidate the county is seeking during a Tuesday meeting.

Commissioners hired consultant Peckham & McKenney in May for $33,000 to facilitate the hiring process. Executive recruiter Danielle Noble interviewed all three commissioners, ...

News

Ridgway keeps water restrictions

By Erin

July 16, 2025

Ridgway remains in Stage 3 watering restrictions, upheld during a July 9 meeting by town councilors who cited concerns about persistent dry conditions and no permanent fix allowing the town to access ...

Main, News...

Hunting down the ghosts

Veterans services officer finds and assists those who served with benefits, problems

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

July 16, 2025

During his time as a bus driver in Telluride, Mikael Madsen encountered many of his fellow veterans struggling to survive a Western Slope winter. At the time, Madsen was what he calls a military ghost...

Main, News...

Wildfires surge across region

Brief monsoon could bring relief — or lightning — before dry spell returns

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

July 16, 2025

Four lightning-sparked wildfires that had scorched more than 20,000 acres in southwestern Colorado as of Wednesday continue to churn through tinder-dry terrain, as hundreds of firefighters struggle to...

News

Judge to rule on land condemnation

Town seeks slice of property for walking trail; resident c laims use unnecessary

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

July 16, 2025

A district judge is expected to rule this week on whether the town of Ridgway can seize a slice of a resident’s property to create a walking trail, after a trial concluded last week. The conflict date...

News

Aspen Democrat seeking to unseat Hurd in Congress

Alex Kelloff, first-time candidate for public office, stumps in Ridgway

By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

July 16, 2025

An Aspen Democrat tried and failed twice in the last two elections to represent the 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House. Now, a different Democrat from Aspen hopes he’ll have better luck in 2...

News

Trio of incidents keeps rescuers busy

July 16, 2025

The Ouray Mountain Rescue Team kept busy last weekend, rescuing or assisting two hikers and a paraglider who were injured over three consecutive days. The first incident happened around 12:30 p.m. Jul...

News

County to tackle problem with addresses

Irregularities create trouble for emergency responders

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

July 16, 2025

Sometimes it takes Ouray County emergency responders knocking on doors and waking people at three different homes at 2 a.m. to find the person who needs their help because no addresses are listed on t...

News

Funding issue postpones Ouray wildfire mitigation

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

July 16, 2025

A 93-acre wildfire mitigation project in the hillsides above Ouray is on hold until at least next fall, while project leaders keep their fingers crossed for more than $500,000 in federal money. The Ou...

Calendar & Events, Feature...

Calendar & Events

July 17-30, 2025

July 16, 2025

THURSDAY JULY 17 "Natural Tie–Dye" activity with the youth garden club for ages 8–18, from 3:30–4:30 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library, 300 Charles St. Tech Thursday – Get help with quick tech proble...

News

Town moves ahead with housing administrator

July 16, 2025

The Ridgway Town Council has agreed to proceed with developing a contract with the Home Trust of Ouray County for the nonprofit to provide shared services as an affordable housing administrator for th...

Columns, Opinion...

An unforeseeable delay with your Plaindealer

By Erin McIntyre

July 16, 2025

Dear Readers, If you’re reading this message in the e-edition of the newspaper, great. That means you probably got your paper when you wanted to read it. If you’re reading this message in the printed ...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines