County OKs permit for guest ranch - Ouray County Plaindealer

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By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer, on January 14, 2026

County OKs permit for guest ranch

Stipulations require Gold Mountain to account for bighorn sheep

Gold Mountain Ranch will be allowed to operate a guest ranch in Ouray County, and county commissioners hope the special-use permit they approved in December will allay community concerns about wildlife while allowing the ranch to run the business.

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Welcome to the snow-deo

January 14, 2026

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Public: Rebuild Ouray PD

Residents seek retention of independent agency after departure of interim chief

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

January 14, 2026

Ouray residents sent a clear message this week: They want to maintain an independent police department instead of permanently relying on the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement. Faced wi...

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Tax questions linger as lodge proceeds with housing plans

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 14, 2026

MTN Lodge in Ridgway is moving forward with plans to convert the hotel to workforce housing for four years starting in February, though the town has yet to cement an agreement with the owners about pa...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 ...

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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...

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...

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...

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...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines