Videos Login Subscribe Renew E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
Feature
November 26, 2025
SEASON OF SHARING
Ouray County Peacejam

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 Sharing. The purpose is to highlight the meaningful work these organizations perform and let the community know how they can help them even more, as the holidays approach and we reach the end of 2025. Look for these profiles published weekly from now until Dec. 31. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of nonprofit organizations in Ouray County.

Year established as a nonprofit: 2024

What does your organization do for Ouray County?

Ouray County Peacejam is a youth volunteer organization that encourages Ouray and Ridgway students to see, organize and engage in community service projects in our community, region, state, nation and world.

What do you list as your greatest accomplishments in 2025?

Ouray and Ridgway students made a difference through a variety of activities.

They helped the Ute Mountain Ute tribe in Towaoc, by bringing winter clothing items in October and summer items to their Bear Dance and Pow Wow in June. Peacejammers brought household items, bedding, books and toys to the tribe. Peacejammers also had the opportunity to interact and learn about the Ute culture while there.

Peacejammers also volunteered at Ridgway State Park each month, raised funds for the Ouray County Food Pantry, and spread cheer with senior citizens and delivered 2,000 holiday cards to them at assisted living facilities in the region and to the Veterans hospital in Grand Junction.

What are some goals or projects you have planned for 2026?

We will continue our volunteer work at Round Up River Ranch/Serious Fun Camp in Gypsum for terminally and seriously ill children, continue our relationship with the Ute Mountain Utes and help raise funds for the Ouray County Food Pantry as well as other causes.

Tell us how the community can help you do more here in Ouray County.

Come see Peacejammers during Noel Night in Ridgway on Dec. 5 and Yule Celebration on Dec. 6, where they will be offering homemade ornaments, treats and hot chocolate for a donation to the Ouray County Food Pantry.

Please visit our concession stands during summer concerts here in Ouray County. You can also donate online through ouraycopeacejam.org or contact Sveri May to make a donation at 269-207-1183 or at sverimay@ gmail.com.

Thank you to Sveri May for providing this information.

Unaffiliated county candidates announce election campaigns
Main, News...
Unaffiliated county candidates announce election campaigns
First-timers Todd, Oakland seek clerk, treasurer posts
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
January 7, 2026
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to specify that Glenn Boyd volunteers for the county EMS department. A group of unaffiliated political candidates joined together this week to announce the...
this is a test
Main, News...
Mild temps leave Ice Park high, dry
Without key ingredient — ice — and no estimated opening date, officials forced to reimagine festivals
By By Lia Salvatierra and Mike Wiggins lia@ouraynews.com mike@ouraynews.com 
January 7, 2026
The half-bare walls of the Uncompahgre Gorge tell a story Peter O’Neil wanted no part of — one of 50-degree December days and out-of-work rangers and ice farmers scrambling to find other sources of in...
this is a test
Schiffer, Doherty picked for council
Main, News...
Schiffer, Doherty picked for council
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
January 7, 2026
Ouray Planning Commissioner Kevin Schiffer and former city building inspector Dave Doherty were selected Monday to fill the two vacancies on the Ouray City Council, restoring a full slate of elected o...
this is a test
News
Sheriff steps in again to help police
Residents back former interim chief as meeting scheduled to discuss future of policing in Ouray
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
January 7, 2026
The city of Ouray is once again leaning on the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office to fill gaps in police officer patrol shifts, after City Administrator Michelle Metteer decided not to hire Interim Police ...
this is a test
News
Skijoring marks anniversary with expanded competition
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
January 7, 2026
The organizers of the San Juan Skijoring event learned a long time ago they couldn't count on Mother Nature to provide the materials for their competition. Last year, they invested $54,000 in their ow...
this is a test
Calendar & Events
Calendar & Events, Feature...
Calendar & Events
Jan. 8-22, 2026
January 7, 2026
Thursday, January 8 Sewing class: Mug Rugs, from 1-3 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library, 300 Charles St. Sign up at the front desk. Tech Thursday – Get help with quick tech problems from 4-6 p.m. at t...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Robert Kendall Zanett
Obituaries
Robert Kendall Zanett
January 7, 2026
July 15, 1941 – January 20, 2024 An obituary was never written for my husband, Bob, because he still lives on in my life (Claudia Sue Zanett); the lives of our two sons — Robert Gordon Zanett (wife Kr...
this is a test
John Edward Peters
Obituaries
John Edward Peters
January 7, 2026
February 26, 1959 – October 30, 2025 We are deeply saddened to share that John Edward Peters passed away on October 30, 2025. His unexpected death has left a profound void in the hearts of those who k...
this is a test
News
Nine vying to fill two openings on Ouray City Council
Council will use ranked choice voting to select councilors
By Mike Wiggins 
January 2, 2026
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect council applicant Ashley Hineline's recent job change. The three-member Ouray City Council will have plenty of options to choose from when it deci...
this is a test
Years after acquittal, man gets prison in second case
News
TOP STORIES OF THE YEAR: BRIAN SCRANTON CONVICTED OF SEX ASSAULT
Years after acquittal, man gets prison in second case
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
December 31, 2025
Editor’s note: This story contains details about a sex assault case. Ten years after he was first arrested for alleged sex assault in Ouray County, a Ridgway man was convicted in another sex assault c...
this is a test
County endures year of resignations, infighting
News
TOP STORIES OF THE YEAR: TUMULT WITHIN TOP RANKS OF COUNTY
County endures year of resignations, infighting
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
December 31, 2025
Ouray County government weathered a year of turmoil and transition in 2025, and ended the year hopeful that its new top leader would bring a fresh perspective and stability. County commissioners ended...
this is a test
Facebook

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

195 S Lena St. Unit D
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Ouray County Plaindealer

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy