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Calendar & Events
Calendar of events
Calendar & Events, Feature
August 20, 2025
Calendar & Events
Aug. 21-Sept. 4, 2025

Thursday, August 21

42nd Annual San Juan Chamber Music Festival, evening salon concert at a private home, must purchase tickets in advance at ocpag.org.

Tech Thursday – Get help with quick tech problems from 4-6 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library, 300 Charles St. Walk-ins welcome.

Music bingo, 7 p.m. at the Wright Opera House, 472 Main St. in Ouray. Free.

Archery for ages 10-18 at the Ridgway Public Library’s summer program. From 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sign up at the library.

Ouray Public Library book club, “The Chelsea Girls,” from 5-6 p.m. at the library, 320 Sixth Ave.

Friday, August 22

“All About Bugs!” program with entomologist Melissa Schreiner, for all ages. From 7-8:30 p.m. at the Ridgway State Park Visitor Center, Dutch Charlie entrance.

Farmers market, 10 a.m.– 2 p.m. in Hartwell Park, Ridgway. Visit ridgwayfarmersmarket.com for details.

Free train rides at the Ridgway Railroad Museum, 200 N. Railroad St. 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.

True Grit free walking tour of film sites. Meet at 3 p.m. at the Hartwell Park gazebo in Ridgway.

Black Canyon Astronomical Society star party, from 9–11 p.m. at the Ridgway State Park Visitor Center, weather-permitting.

Highgraders Holiday 2025 mining competition at the Ouray Mining Park, located on the southwest side of Fellin Park. Celebrating 149 years of mining history. Horseshoe tournament and kids’ games starting at 2 p.m., open to public.

 

Saturday, August 23

“Washing up” hands on history, experience washing laundry the old-fashioned way from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Ouray County Ranch History Museum, 321 Sherman St. in Ridgway. For all ages, free, includes museum open house. Visit ocrhm.org for more info.

“Bats” nature program, 9–11 a.m. at the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Camper Services area at Ridgway State Park. Free.

Star Party with the Black Canyon Astronomical Society, 9-11 p.m. at the Ridgway State Park Visitor Center, Dutch Charlie Entrance.

42nd annual San Juan Chamber Music Festival Gala Concert and reception presented by the Ouray County Performing Arts Guild. 7:30 p.m. at the Wright Opera House, 472 Main St. Ouray. Advance tickets $40 at ocpag.org, $5 for students.

Highgraders Holiday 2025 mining competition at the Ouray Mining Park, located on the southwest side of Fellin Park. Celebrating 149 years of mining history. Events from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., open to public.

Free train rides at the Ridgway Railroad Museum, 200 N. Railroad St. every Saturday, May-October, 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.

 

Sunday, August 24

42nd annual San Juan Chamber Music Festival free concert for children and families, 2 p.m. at United Church of the San Juans, 295 N. Lena St. in Ridgway. Details at ocpag.org.

Highgraders Holiday 2025 mining competition at the Ouray Mining Park, located on the southwest side of Fellin Park. Celebrating 149 years of mining history. Events from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., open to public.

Young Life banquet, with Ouray County Young Life, featuring President and CEO of Young Life Newt Crenshaw. Doors open at 5 p.m., banquet starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Ouray County 4-H Event Center, 22739 U.S. Highway 550 in Ridgway. Register by contacting Debbie Dowdy at 970-275-5953 or ddowdy@vsiok.com.

10th annual Log Hill Hustle fun run, 8 a.m. at the Divide Ranch and Club, 151 Divide Ranch Circle. 5k and 10k races with free continental breakfast. Register at fortunatierra.com.

Wednesday, August 27

Bingo at the Ouray Elks Lodge, 421 Main St. in Ouray, open to public. $10 for 10 games. Game starts at 7 p.m.

“Hook” movie, 7 p.m. at the Wright Opera House, 472 Main St. in Ouray. Tickets $5.

 

Thursday, August 28

Tech Thursday – Get help with quick tech problems from 4-6 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library, 300 Charles St. Walk-ins welcome.

Heather and Douglas live music, 7 p.m. at The Courtyard at 610, 610 Clinton St. in Ridgway. Entrance through the alley on Cora Street. Tickets $15 in advance at sherbino.org or $20 day of show.

Fifth annual North Cora Block Party, 5:30 p.m. on North Cora Street between Railroad and Roundhouse streets. Free. Live music from Blessing ‘Bled’ Chimanga and Organtic. For more info contact lance@forgework.com.

 

Friday, August 29

True Grit walking tour of film sites. Meet at 3 p.m. at the Hartwell Park gazebo in Ridgway.

Farmers market, 10 a.m.– 2 p.m. in Hartwell Park, Ridgway. Visit ridgwayfarmersmarket.com for details.

Locals’ night with karaoke, 6:30 p.m. at The Wright Opera House, 472 Main St. in Ouray. Free.

Free train rides at the Ridgway Railroad Museum, 200 N. Railroad St. 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.

“Mountain Search and Rescue” presentation by Ouray Mountain Rescue Team member Sean Hart. 7–8:30 p.m. at the Ridgway State Park Visitor Center. Free.

 

Saturday, August 30

Free train rides at the Ridgway Railroad Museum, 200 N. Railroad St. every Saturday, May-October, 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.

San Juan Mountains Disc Golf Tournament, hosted by Top of the Pines Basket Cases. Register at discgolfscene.com.

 

Sunday, August 31

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.

Music & Makers Fest, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. in Fellin Park in Ouray, presented by Ouray Made and the Ouray County Performing Arts

Guild. Visit ouraymade.net for more info.

Smackdown Chili Cookoff hosted by the Ouray County Woman’s Club, from noon-2 p.m. at Fellin Park. $12 to sample all entries. Winners announced at 3:30 p.m.

 

Monday, September 1

Ouray County Rodeo Labor Day Parade, 10 a.m. on Sherman Street by Hartwell Park in Ridgway.

Ouray County Rodeo, gates open at 11 a.m. and rodeo starts at noon at the Ouray County Fairgrounds. Adults $15, free admission for military personnel with ID and for children ages 5 and under. Visit ouraycountyrodeo.com for more info.

 

Tuesday, September 2

“Between Peaks & Valleys” by artist Kylee Firlit, on display until Sept. 26 at 610 Gallery, 610 Clinton St. in Ridgway.

Intro to pickleball for beginners, 9 – 10:30 a.m. at Ridgway Athletic Park. $10 for public, free for members of Ridgway Pickleball club. Register at ridgwaypickleball.org.

 

Wednesday, September 3

Avid Dance, presented by the Ouray County Performing Arts Guild. 7:30 p.m. at the Wright Opera House, 472 Main St. Ouray. Advance tickets $25 at ocpag.org, $5 for students.

 

Ongoing Events

BINGO: Every Wednesday at the Ouray Elks Lodge, 421 Main St.

Doors open at 6 p.m., bingo starts at 7 p.m. Public welcome.

SENIOR LUNCH: Every Monday, with Neighbor to Neighbor, noon at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 329 Fifth Ave. in Ouray.

Transportation can be arranged. Call 970-325-4586 for more info.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. and every Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. at St. Daniel’s Church, 614 Fifth St., Ouray. Every Thursday and Sunday at 7 p.m. and every Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of the United Church of the San Juans, 295 N. Lena St. Ridgway.

AL-ANON: Every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of the United Church of the San Juans, 295 N. Lena St. Ridgway, 970318-6966.

STORYTIME: Every Monday and Saturday from 11-11:30 a.m., Ridgway Public Library, 300 Charles St.

KIDS CRAFT TIME: Every Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 p.m., every Friday from 11 a.m. – noon at Ridgway Public Library, 300 Charles St. For ages 3+ with adult helpers.

CELEBRATE RECOVERY: Every Saturday, 6 p.m. at Ridgway Community Church, 685 W. Sherman St., Ridgway. 970-6265692. This is a confidential 12-step program. It is free and open to the public.

SPANISH CONVERSATION CLUB: Every Thursday from 3-4 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library, 300 Charles St.

MAH JONG: Play Mah Jong from 1-4 p.m. every Tuesday at the Ridgway Public Library, 300 Charles St. All skill levels welcome.

“Dos Maestras de Arte” show from Nancy Donegan and Erin Piotkowski, on display until Sept. 3 at the Wright Opera House, 472 Main St. in Ouray.

State to reduce highway speeds near Ridgway
Main, News...
HIGHWAY 550 SAFETY
State to reduce highway speeds near Ridgway
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
November 26, 2025
The Colorado Department of Transportation plans to lower the speed limit for traffic along a half-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 550 north of Ridgway, near a section of road where the highest number of ...
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Main, News...
OURAY'S 2026 BUDGET
City trims jobs, capital expenses
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
November 26, 2025
A cautious Ouray City Council approved a $16.8 million budget for 2026 on Tuesday, leaving a handful of vacant jobs unfilled and slashing capital projects in anticipation of a potential economic downt...
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News
Schools adopt frameworks for AI tools
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
November 26, 2025
Both Ridgway Secondary School and the Ouray School District have adopted guidelines for students to use artificial intelligence, joining the first wave of schools in the state to do so. Lining classro...
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News
As scams climb, experts offer insight on how to avoid them
Local bank, police officials: Fraud attempts growing in sophistication
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
November 26, 2025
Anyone can become the victim of fraud. In Ouray County, one person lost $17,000 after being coerced into setting up a series of bank transfers. Property owners were duped by a home builder who created...
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News
CORRECTION
November 26, 2025
An article on Page 6 of the Nov. 20-26 edition incorrectly reported the Ridgway Town Council's votes on a new anti-idling ordinance. The ordinance was approved 5-1, with Councilor Michelle Montague vo...
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Feature
SEASON OF SHARING
Ouray County Peacejam
November 26, 2025
Editor's note: The Ouray County Plaindealer is continuing its tradition of featuring nonprofit organizations based in Ouray County, serving Ouray County in a series of profiles called Season of Sharin...
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Housing report: Few first-time buyers can afford average-priced homes in Ouray County
100% of Ridgway homes out of affordable price range
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
November 26, 2025
An estimated 100% of potential firsttime homebuyers in Ridgway and 93% of those in Ouray County cannot afford to buy an average-priced home. Those are among the most striking findings in a housing nee...
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In San Juans, a case of winter whiplash
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By Karen Risch 
November 26, 2025
Ouray finally woke up to its first measurable snowfall Monday, Nov. 24. While waiting for the magic of winter’s arrival, late or not, I found myself wondering: Would this 2025-2026 season’s first meas...
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Past a gate, at the end of a dirt road on Log Hill Mesa, is an Ouray County-style Willy Wonka factory. From his off-grid home, Nathan Montgomery churns small batches of chocolate, entirely powered by ...
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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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