Videos Login Subscribe Renew E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
Letters, Opinion
July 15, 2026
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Thank you, firefighters

Dear Editor:

Pilot dies in reservoir crash
Main, News...
Pilot dies in reservoir crash
Accident under investigation; man honored with procession
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 15, 2026
An experienced firefighting pilot who was pulling water from Silver Jack Reservoir to battle the Gold Mountain Fire died Sunday when his helicopter plunged into the reservoir northeast of Ridgway. Nic...
this is a test
Heights, heat add to firefighters’ strain
Main, News...
Heights, heat add to firefighters’ strain
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
July 15, 2026
Hotshot Jesse Eaves calls it “The Great Race.” At the small tent city along U.S. Highway 550, Eaves starts each day with a 5 a.m. wakeup call. Thus begins an eight-minute sprint for him and his Califo...
this is a test
News
County approves hiring fire recovery manager — if it can find funding
By Mike Wiggins and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com 
July 15, 2026
Ouray County intends to hire an employee who can help lead the county’s efforts to recover from the Gold Mountain Fire — assuming it can find funding. County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agree...
this is a test
News
Trust, county close to conserving open space park
Grants, donations put nonprofit on brink of acquiring Silver Mountain Mine property
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
July 15, 2026
Ouray County is much closer to getting a new open space park on the Silver Mountain Mine property. The Trust for Land Restoration has received a $180,000 Great Outdoors Colorado grant. Couple that wit...
this is a test
Man gets probation, community service in sex assault case
News
Man gets probation, community service in sex assault case
One of three defendants, Whittington admits to giving alcohol to minor
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 15, 2026
A former Ouray County man was sentenced Monday to one year of unsupervised probation for providing alcohol to a then-17-year-old girl who said she was sexually assaulted by two others at the former Ou...
this is a test
Letters, Opinion...
Thank you, helpers
July 15, 2026
Dear Editor: A word of gratitude: These last days since the Gold Mountain Fire started on June 27 have been hard for us, individually and as a community. During times of strife and difficulty a wise m...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
UPDATE: Pilot in fatal crash identified as Canadian man
Main, News...
UPDATE: Pilot in fatal crash identified as Canadian man
Investigation underway to determine cause of crash at Silver Jack Reservoir
By Mike Wiggins 
July 13, 2026
Editor's note: This story has been changed to correctly indicate the change in the team overseeing the fire response. The pilot who died when his aircraft went down in Silver Jack Reservoir Sunday was...
this is a test
News
Firefighting aircraft goes down in Silver Jack
Body of pilot recovered from crash scene by dive team late Sunday
By Plaindealer Staff 
July 12, 2026
An aircraft fighting the Gold Mountain Fire went down in Silver Jack Reservoir in southwestern Gunnison County on Sunday night and the body of the pilot has been recovered from the crash. One person w...
this is a test
Firefighters gain ground on Gold Mountain Fire
Main, News...
Firefighters gain ground on Gold Mountain Fire
Sheriff allows some evacuees to return home; blaze shifts away from populated areas
By By Mike Wiggins, Erin McIntyre and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
July 8, 2026
Residents forced to flee the Gold Mountain Fire north of Ouray nearly two weeks ago returned to charred landscapes but fully intact homes Wednesday, an indication that authorities believe the threat h...
this is a test
Despite fire, downsized Fourth celebration marches on
Main, News...
Despite fire, downsized Fourth celebration marches on
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
July 8, 2026
A scaled-back Fourth of July celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States and 150th birthday of Ouray attracted thousands to the city, despite the cancellation of fireworks, water fights and...
this is a test
First fire, then floods? Leaders start planning for next potential emergency
News
First fire, then floods? Leaders start planning for next potential emergency
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
July 8, 2026
Even though the Gold Mountain Fire is still burning, Ouray County officials are already thinking about flash flood risks in the burn scar as Colorado moves into monsoon season. “This is a predictable ...
this is a test
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

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy