Mass evacuation exercise tests county's preparedness

Ouray County Emergency Manager Glenn Boyd uses his radio to announce the beginning of the Elk Meadows simulated wildfire exercise on Friday morning, as emergency responders wait to begin the scenario. Local fire, search and rescue, and law enforcement participated in the exercise, as well as state agencies and volunteers who live in Elk Meadows and others who traveled there to assist with the drill. Photo by Erin McIntyre | Ouray County Plaindealer

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By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com, on May 20, 2026

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

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.

Main, News...

Runners go the distance to claim state titles

Ridgway's Hessler, Ouray's Skoloda win 3200-meter races; Demon girls finish second

By By Bernie Pearce Special to the Plaindealer

May 20, 2026

LAKEWOOD — Both runners had established new personal bests and school records during the regular season. Both entered the state track and field championship ranked No. 1 in their respective classifica...

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...

News

No-idling ordinance stalls after months of debate

By LIA SALVATIERRA

May 14, 2026

“Idle-Free Ridgway” remains a motto, rather than a rule after the town council voted down final approval for an anti-idling ordinance that drew zealous support and opposition over the past five months...

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...

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...

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...

News

Two candidates vie for seat on San Miguel Power board

Election to represent Ridgway, Log Hill contested for first time since 2014

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

May 13, 2026

For the first time in more than a decade, there’s a contested election for the District 6 seat on the San Miguel Power Association board of directors, representing all of Ridgway, much of Log Hill and...

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...

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...

News

Looking Back

May 13, 2026

Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago May 12, 1966 Toby is back in town. Proof of it is that Johnny Johnson of the Western ...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines