Local governments brace for possible downturn

News

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com on November 26, 2025

At forum, leaders forecast flat or declining revenue in 2026 after years of record taxes

After raking in record-shattering sales and property taxes and socking away healthy reserves the last several years in the wake of the pandemic, local governments in Ouray County say revenues have flattened or dropped in 2025, and they’re bracing for more of the same next year.

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

News

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...

News

Analysis: Housing hardship growing

No first-time homebuyers c an afford average-priced home in Ridgway, report says

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...

News

Looking Back

50 Years Ago

November 26, 2025

December 2, 1965 The old steam boiler which has heated the county courthouse for 40 years or more split its seams sometime Monday night. When the water ran out of the boiler the heat automatically cut...

News

In San Juans, a case of winter whiplash

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...

News

SEASON OF SHARING

Weehawken Creative Arts

November 26, 2025

News

Ridgway predicts revenue drop, approves draft budget

Town expects to exceed $5M in general fund spending, dip into reserves

By By Erin McIntyre and Lia Salvatierra erin@ouraynews.com lia@ouraynews.com

November 26, 2025

Ridgway plans to spend more than $5 million from its general fund in 2026, while at the same time town leaders are predicting a drop in revenue. The town will need to draw on its reserves to balance t...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines