Mihelarakis advocates for creatives in first bid for office

Tia Mihelarakis has lived in Ridgway for five years and is seeking public office for the first time, challenging longtime Mayor John Clark. Mihelarakis owns Realm Supply in Ouray and is pictured here in her shop. Photo by Lia Salvatierra | Ouray County Plaindealer

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By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com, on March 18, 2026

Tia Mihelarakis believes the Ridgway Town Council deserves a leader with new perspectives — specifically those of creatives, renters and the younger generation.

Race pits experience against new perspective

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RIDGWAY MAYOR CANDIDATES

Race pits experience against new perspective

Clark proud of town's progress, aware of challenges

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

March 18, 2026

Even after 14 years serving as Ridgway's mayor, John Clark still thinks there's work to be done. He's served seven terms. Every two years, when his seat comes up for election, folks ask him if he want...

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Water leaders sound supply alarm

Record-low snowpack in San Juans, balmy temps portend meager runoff

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

March 18, 2026

State water managers Tuesday painted a dire picture of record-low snowpack and abnormally warm temperatures this winter straining water supplies for Western Slope municipalities and agricultural produ...

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Pop rock

March 11, 2026

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Ouray housing project scores federal funding

Nearly $1.5M coming to Waterview, but type of homes in second phase unclear

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

March 11, 2026

The Waterview Homes affordable housing project will receive $1.46 million in federal funding to begin a second phase of development, but it's unclear what that next phase will look like. The Ouray Cit...

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County venue to hire manager

Commissioners agree to pick leader for 4-H Center, fairgrounds, could reopen space in late spring

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

March 11, 2026

Ouray County commissioners will hire a salaried manager for the 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds, rather than an incentive-based position as previously discussed. During a meeting Tuesday, commissione...

News

Survey to gauge health care needs, barriers

Assessment, listening sessions to help create community paramedic program

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

March 11, 2026

Community members can help reshape how health care works in Ouray County by completing a new survey focused on what’s working and what could be done better. This spring, residents can participate in l...

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County Road 5 to open in early April

March 11, 2026

County Road 5 will open to the public earlier than usual this spring to allow a contractor access to the town of Ridgway’s Beaver Creek diversion system. Ouray County commissioners on Tuesday agreed t...

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Commissioners back watershed rehab

March 11, 2026

Ouray County commissioners have pledged to provide letters of support to the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership as it looks for funding to rehabilitate drought and mining impacts at the headwaters of t...

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Seasonal dozer operator to help clear high country snow

March 11, 2026

Ouray County’s Road and Bridge Department will hire a seasonal dozer operator to work in April and May to help clear high-country roads of snow. The new person will be trained by Rich Williams, the co...

Letters, Opinion...

Burn pit would be useful for wildfire mitigation

March 11, 2026

Dear Editor: Not only is a burn pit a good idea, it is a necessity, but not in the way described. Times and codes are changing. The new fire and construction codes will require more area to be cleared...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Burn pit an idea that should go up in smoke

March 11, 2026

Dear Editor: Today is a rare day. Snow capped mountains with a cloudless sky are not rare, but when the air is also clear, that is rare, because too often smoke fills the Ouray and Ridgway valleys. Th...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines