Senator gets earful from local leaders - Ouray County Plaindealer

U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, center, shares a laugh with Ouray County nonprofit and local government leaders during a meeting at the Wright Opera House in Ouray on Aug. 29. The visit by the Democrat senator, former Colorado governor and former Denver mayor was one stop on a tour of Western Slope municipalities to hear how federal spending changes are affecting rural communities. Photo by Erin McIntyre | Ouray County Plaindealer

Main, News

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com, on September 3, 2025

Senator gets earful from local leaders

In face of funding turmoil, Hickenlooper urges officials to find creative solutions

U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper encouraged local nonprofit leaders and public officials to persevere, find ways to do more with less money and look for opportunities to change systems during a visit to Ouray last week.

Main, News...

No ifs, ands or bucks

September 3, 2025

News

SPACE TO CREATE: THREE YEARS LATER

Reality varies from initial vision

Is Ouray County's first affordable housing project a success? It depends on who you ask.

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

September 3, 2025

Three years after Space to Create opened in Ridgway, Ouray County’s affordable housing guinea pig is a bit of a mixed bag for residents and the public. The 30-unit apartment building on Clinton Street...

News

By Mike Wiggins

Two vying for Ouray mayor; one seeking council

September 3, 2025

mike@ouraynews.com There will be some new faces in new places on the Ouray City Council by the end of this year. City councilors Tamara Gulde and Michael Underwood will square off to replace Mayor Eth...

News

Ridgway adopts policy to limit info provided to ICE

September 3, 2025

The Ridgway School District has adopted a policy protecting the information of students, parents, relatives and guardians in situations concerning federal immigration enforcement. Ridgway Superintende...

News

Red Mountain Pass delays scheduled

September 3, 2025

Motorists traveling over Red Mountain Pass should expect lengthy weekday delays starting this week, as San Miguel Power Association continues to rebuild its power line on the pass. A roughly three-mil...

News

Ridgway students seek volunteers for oral history project

September 3, 2025

The Global Issues and U.S. History classes at Ridgway Secondary School are seeking volunteers to be interviewed for a history project. The courses, taught by Craig Spearman and Ben Fibbe, include a pr...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Let it be known: Care must come before cuts

By Dear Editor:

September 3, 2025

I just watched (well, when I first wrote this) the president of the U.S. meet with seven key European leaders, along with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. They were obsequiously complimentary and the U....

Letters, Opinion...

Highway near Billy Creek can be improved

By Dear Editor:

September 3, 2025

The article regarding all the accidents on U.S. Highway 550 left the impression that little could be done. That is probably true on the section south of Ouray where there isn’t room for a guardrail. B...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Don’t allow U.S. 550 to become like ‘Killer 82’

By Dear Editor:

September 3, 2025

Whether local or visitor, commuter or sightseer, we are all affected by the tragic fatalities, devastating injuries and, yes, even the miraculous walkaways associated with this summer’s rash of vehicu...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Honor Labor Day, remember working families

By Dear Editor:

September 3, 2025

Each year, our community gathers to celebrate Labor Day — a holiday meant to honor the sacrifices and victories of working people in America. But as I watched this year’s parade, I couldn’t help but n...

Feature

Good For You!

September 3, 2025

The “Good For You!” page is a place for reader-submitted photos illustrating community, celebrations and more. Maybe you snapped photos of volunteers doing trail work, or your kids raising funds for a...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines