Farmers cinch belts ahead of summer

Irrigation sprinklers were used on fields at the Ute Mountain Ute Farm and Ranch in part to help raise hay for the ranch's cattle. The Farm and Ranch staff plan to fallow hundreds of fields this summer because of drought conditions. Photo by Shannon Mullane | The Colorado Sun

News

By Shannon Mullane The Colorado Sun on April 29, 2026

The impacts of a record-dry winter are already starting to show in agricultural communities

UTE MOUNTAIN UTE RESERVATION — Michael Vicenti did quick mental math while driving his pickup past acre after acre at the Ute Mountain Ute Farm and Ranch, trying to tally the impact of a record dry winter.

Main, News...

Evacuation drill an exercise not in futility

County's first full-scale training May 15 meant to 'test where our holes are'

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

Sirens will wail and residents will likely see emergency vehicles headed through Ridgway, up County Road 5 on May 15. Traffic will filter back into town, with residents headed to an evacuation center....

Main, News...

Mine owner proposes water treatment

Unable to reduce heavy metals in Red Mountain Creek, Newmont exploring building plant atop pass

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

The company that owns the Idarado Mine is exploring the idea of building a treatment plant on Red Mountain Pass to remove heavy metals from water flowing into Red Mountain Creek. Representatives from ...

News

Town mulls affordable housing mandate

Ridgway may require 10% of units to be deed restricted

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

The town of Ridgway will consider requiring developers to reserve 10% of units within market-rate residential projects as affordable housing for local workers and retirees. The proposed “community hou...

News

County raises 4-H use fees

Commissioners approve first facility rate increase since 2015

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

Fees for using the Ouray County 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds are going up for the first time in more than a decade, with the aim of making the facility’s operations self-sustaining. It’s the large...

News

County holds firm on road access

Commissioners issue notice of violation to high alpine property owners, seek removal of gates

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

Ouray County may sue the owners of properties north of Red Mountain Pass if they don’t agree to remove two gates and restore public access to a road owned by the county and the U.S. Forest Service. Co...

Letters, Opinion...

MTN Lodge’s refusal to pay tax appalling

April 29, 2026

Dear Editor: I’m appalled at the MTN Lodge's blatant refusal to pay the lodging tax to the town of Ridgway. MTN Lodge has entered into a multiyear agreement with Merrimac Ventures to lease out all of ...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Road through Calhoon land is indeed public

April 29, 2026

Dear Editor: I am writing to respond to the paid advertisement by Aaron Calhoon in last week's Plaindealer. There is no doubt that the Calhoons are well-liked, respected and valued long-time members o...

News

CORRECTION

April 29, 2026

A news brief on Page 3 in the April 16-22 edition about a faulty culvert mischaracterized comments made by Ouray County Road and Bridge Superintendent Ty Barger. Barger did not say the culvert was ins...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

More needs to be done to protect Yankee Boy

April 29, 2026

Dear Editor: The Ouray County Commissioners' work session on April 15 discussed plans to repair damage to the road in Yankee Boy Basin. The discussion was centered on repair of road areas damaged by a...

Columns, Opinion...

Super El Niño could be boon for parched area

By Karen Risch

April 29, 2026

After three months of desperately dry Colorado weather, there’s finally good news. ENSO-neutral conditions are now present and favored from April-June (80% chance). “From May-July 2026, El Niño is lik...

News

Looking Back

April 29, 2026

Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago April 28, 1966 The postal savings system, a long-time institution of the United State...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines