Second Chance adopts new challenge in expansion

Second Chance Humane Society Executive Director Nick Gilman poses for a photo with Luna, a pit bull mix that has almost been adopted three times. The shelter is seeking a foster home for Luna, who gets along with other dogs and loves people. Second Chance has been operating the Delta Animal Shelter under a contract with the city of Delta since May 1. Photo by Erin McIntyre | Ouray County Plaindealer

Main, News

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com on June 3, 2026

Humane society takes over Delta shelter, seeks to rehome more animals

Main, News...

Inmon sentenced to prison in sex assault case

By Erin McIntyre

June 5, 2026

A Ridgway man convicted of sexual assault by a Ouray County jury will spend at least four years in prison. Jeffrey Michael Inmon, 48, was convicted in a four-day jury trial in April. Jurors deliberate...

Main, News...

Staff criticizes commissioners

Survey: Workers satisfied with bosses

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 3, 2026

Ouray County’s employees are largely happy with their direct supervisors and department heads and dissatisfied with the Board of County Commissioners, according to a recent anonymous staff survey. Som...

Main, News...

City reverses, will stick with sheriff for now

Council concerned about budget impacts from rebuilding police department

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

June 3, 2026

The Ouray City Council is reversing course on rebuilding an independent police department, agreeing Monday to instead continue to rely on the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services...

News

Board: Ice Park at ‘inflection point’

Seeking help from city, nonprofit claims funding sources drying up as operational costs climb

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

June 3, 2026

The nonprofit organization that runs the Ouray Ice Park cautioned Monday that it has reached a crossroads, saying its operational costs continue to climb even as its funding sources are saturated. In ...

News

Crystal bill passes House

Legislation to transfer reservoir to city moves on to Senate committee

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 3, 2026

A bill to transfer Crystal Reservoir to the city of Ouray is another step closer to becoming law after the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed it on Tuesday. The legislation now awaits ap...

News

Ridgway Library aims to boost access to resources

Board identifying other priorities in creation of strategic plan

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 3, 2026

The Ridgway Public Library is homing in on its priorities for future years in a strategic plan that the board of trustees aims to adopt this fall. Top priorities include broadening access to the libra...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Medics, rescuers provided best of care

June 3, 2026

Dear Editor: A huge thank you to our incredible Ouray County Emergency Medical Services and our volunteer Ouray Mountain Rescue Team for taking such good care of me when I took a bad fall last Thursda...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Advocacy is about preserving historic character, public health

June 3, 2026

Dear Editor: I was pleased to see an article in the Plaindealer about people exercising their right as American citizens to address their representatives via letters to City Council. It is obvious tha...

A Plaindealer promise: to be human-powered

Columns, Opinion...

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A Plaindealer promise: to be human-powered

By Erin McIntyre

June 3, 2026

We used to be able to say, “Seeing is believing.” Now we’re learning to be more discerning about images and videos we see posted online. We’re counting people's fingers in photos, looking for clues ti...

News

Looking Back

June 3, 2026

Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago June 2, 1966 Last week Dr. and Mrs. Lester Heidorn and Mostyn Lupher filed a complain...

News

Local Briefs

June 3, 2026

Camper, hay bales destroyed in fire A camping trailer and several hay bales were destroyed in a fire in the Pleasant Valley area west of Ridgway Sunday night. Firefighters from Ridgway and Ouray were ...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines