More than a scholarship

Andrea Peralta Villa addresses the audience during the Chang Chavkin Scholars Program annual gathering in Ridgway on Sunday. The program supports rural first-generation college students in Ouray County and elsewhere on the Western Slope. Villa is a student at The College of Wooster in Ohio. Courtesy photo

Feature

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com on August 6, 2025

Chang Chavkin scholars value support as first-generation college students

Andrea Peralta Villa was unsure how she would make it to college until the final few days before classes started, despite having a roommate and a nearly full-ride scholarship lined up.

Main, News...

Fired federal rangers return to backcountry

Patrol, education duties look similar, only now county foots the bill

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

August 6, 2025

Kricket Olin pulled the side-by-side ATV over to a cluster of off-highway vehicles and leaned over the door, sticking her head in the neon helmet out the window. “Hi I’m Kricket, an alpine ranger with...

Main

Girl survives fatal accident

Three die in wrecks on Highway 550 on back-to-back days

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

August 6, 2025

An 11-year-old girl survived a car crash that killed two adults on Red Mountain Pass on Tuesday morning, after the vehicle she was riding in tumbled down a 320-foot cliff and landed on its roof in Red...

News

Interim chief has first shot at permanent job

City administrator plans interviews, public meet-and-greet for Daric Harvey, whose contract is up soon

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

August 6, 2025

Interim Ouray Police Chief Daric Harvey will be given the first crack at the permanent police chief position through an internal interview process arranged by City Administrator Michelle Metteer. Mett...

Letters

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

A reminder: If you pack it in, pack it out

August 6, 2025

Dear Editor: To those who use our trails and any of our beautiful outdoors: Please take everything with you when you are finished hiking, biking or whatever activity you may have been doing! That incl...

Columns, Feature...

The West’s unsung heroes? Post offices

By Carolyn Snowbarger

August 6, 2025

The American West, including the Western Slope of Colorado, experienced significant population growth in the latter decades of the 19th century. “Boosterism” was one of the government strategies used ...

News

Council nomination petitions available

August 6, 2025

Ouray residents who are thinking about running for one of the three open seats on the city council this fall can now pick up and begin circulating nomination petitions. The two-year term for Mayor Eth...

News

Ridgway schools go cellphone free

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

August 6, 2025

Ridgway schools are now cellphone free. The Ridgway School District, like many school districts in the state, including Ouray, is restricting students from using cellphones during school hours startin...

News

City approves rooftop deck for library

Council clears way for second-story outdoor space

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

August 6, 2025

The Ouray Public Library will get its rooftop deck — and at its preferred location. The Ouray City Council voted Monday night to amend the library’s lease with the city to allow it to build a 670-squa...

News

Library OKs immigrant-protection policy

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

August 6, 2025

The Ridgway Public Library is the first entity in Ouray County to adopt a policy focused on protecting immigrant patrons, students and employees. A new law requires all public child care centers, scho...

Calendar & Events, Feature...

Calendar & Events

Aug. 7-22, 2025

August 6, 2025

THURSDAY AUGUST 7 Ouray County Republican Central Committee monthly meeting, 6 p.m., Ridgway Christian Center, 120 Redcliff Dr. More information at ourayrepublicans.com. Farmers market, 10 a.m.– 2 p....

News

Accident closes U.S. Highway 550

Alternate route is County Road 1

By Erin

August 1, 2025

A single vehicle rollover accident involving a truck and a trailer has shut down U.S. Highway 550 at mile marker 114, near Billy Creek State Wildllife Area north of Ridgway. Both lanes of the highway ...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines