Videos E-edition
Citizens organized against councilor
From left to right, Ouray City Councilor Jenny Hart, Mayor Michael Underwood and Councilor Peggy Lindsey Scott listen as councilor candidate Tamara Gulde speaks during her interview on Jan. 5. A group of residents emailed Hart, Underwood and Lindsey Scott in the days leading up to the Jan. 5 meeting urging them not to appoint Gulde to fill one of the two council vacancies. Photo by Erin McIntyre | Ouray County Plaindealer
News
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com, on May 20, 2026
Citizens organized against councilor
At least 14 people sent letters to council urging vote against Gulde appointment

Former Ouray City Councilor Tamara Gulde ran into an organized effort to keep her from returning to public office earlier this year after she lost the November race for mayor, then sought to fill a vacancy on the council.

City to keep police department
Main, News...
City to keep police department
Ouray to retain on-call model, offer raises to officers, while sheriff leads hiring, training efforts
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
May 20, 2026
The city of Ouray will retain and rebuild its own independent police department but rely on Ouray County Sheriff Justin Perry to lead the hiring and training of its officers until a new police chief c...
News
Ouray County EMS to raise fees
Charges for treatment, transport to increase for first time since 2018
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 20, 2026
Ouray County commissioners plan to raise fees for treatment and ambulance transports from Ouray County Emergency Medical Services starting in June. Commissioners reviewed proposed fee increases prepar...
Mass evacuation exercise tests county’s preparedness
News
Mass evacuation exercise tests county’s preparedness
Half-day event features volunteers feigning injuries, refusing to leave and generally creating chaos — in the name of training for a real emergency
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 20, 2026
At 9:28 a.m., Amy Clewell and her two pretend siblings gathered in her driveway in Elk Meadows, debating whether it was time to call for help. They watched a stream of law enforcement vehicles and fir...
Ouray childcare model a blueprint for others
Main, News...
Ouray childcare model a blueprint for others
A year after two daycares opened within affordable housing development, builder looks to replicate template in three other cities
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
The solution to the statewide childcare shortage might be here in Ouray County, where a blueprint for building childcare-ready affordable homes was drafted. It’s been a little more than a year since t...
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Main, News...
County tests: No mold problem in meeting rooms
After commissioner claims 'toxicity,' manager says 4-H, courthouse spaces safe to use
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
Ouray County commissioner meeting rooms don’t have a mold problem, according to testing ordered after Commissioner Lynn Padgett said the facilities caused her to feel sick and used it as justification...
Beefed-up alpine ranger program returns
News
Beefed-up alpine ranger program returns
State grant allows county to add sixth ranger to patrol backcountry, focus on safety, education
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
Ouray County’s alpine ranger program is back and bigger this year with the help of a state grant. The public will see alpine rangers patrolling areas including Yankee Boy Basin, Imogene Pass and the A...
Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Savage would bring expertise, connection to SMPA board
By Dear Editor: 
May 13, 2026
As San Miguel Power Association District 6 members prepare to vote, for the first time in quite some time we have a choice between two excellent candidates. I encourage members to take a close look at...
War to peace: rebranding the San Juans
Columns, Opinion...
War to peace: rebranding the San Juans
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
May 13, 2026
For decades, the San Juans were valued primarily for what could be pulled out of them. These mountains were a brutal, dangerous locale defined by the extraction of silver, gold and other metals. As Wo...
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