Videos E-edition
Firefighter base moves to Gunnison
A sign attached to a lightpole on Sherman Street in Ridgway reflects the community's sentiment toward crews who have spent more than six weeks battling the Gold Mountain Fire, which now stands at 39,646 acres and is 87% contained. The incident command post moved out of the Ouray County Fairgrounds on Saturday. Photo by Erin McIntyre | Ouray County Plaindealer
News
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com, on August 12, 2026
Firefighter base moves to Gunnison
Fairgrounds empty as focus shifts to Elk Fire

The incident command post for the Gold Mountain Fire relocated to the Gunnison County Fairgrounds Saturday as Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2 took over for Team 1 and combined efforts to focus more on the Elk Fire near Lake City.

‘Pinched on every front’
Main, News...
‘Pinched on every front’
Historic drought, wildfires, high feed prices strain local ranchers
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
August 12, 2026
One breezy afternoon in mid-July, Mike Potter's phone started making all kinds of noise. “It goes, beep, beep, beep, beep!” shouted the Ridgway rancher, brandishing his flip phone from the pocket of h...
Flood ravages homes
Main, News...
Flood ravages homes
County deems trio of Ponderosa Village properties uninhabitable, as residents fear more debris flows imminent
By Erin McIntyre, Chart Riggall and Mike Wiggins 
August 5, 2026
When the fire raged above them on the mountain, the evacuated residents of Ponderosa Village hoped for rain. They wished for anything to help the firefighters get control of the blaze so it wouldn't b...
Main, News...
County floats disaster relief sales tax
By Chart Riggall 
August 5, 2026
Draft ballot language proposes half-cent tax, with revenue split between county, city, town Ouray County commissioners are in talks to put a half-penny sales tax increase question to voters this fall ...
News
Log Hill won’t join fire authority
Board: No benefit to cost, operational structure
By James Hanlon 
August 5, 2026
The Log Hill Volunteer Fire Department will not join the proposed consolidated fire and emergency medical services authority in Ouray County. Board members of the Log Hill Mesa Fire Protection Distric...
News
Crews near full containment on fire
By James Hanlon 
August 5, 2026
Firefighters who are closing in on fully containing the Gold Mountain Fire have shifted their work to undoing firelines that are no longer needed to prevent erosion. “We've moved out of the suppressio...
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
‘We were in a panic’
News
‘We were in a panic’
Flooding relocates part of Dexter Creek, forces couple to seek help with pigs
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
August 5, 2026
Hank and Betsy Nicholson were watching TV at home the night of July 26 when the skies opened up and filled Dexter Creek with rainwater, mud and debris. The creek, which serves as the Nicholsons’ only ...
Good For You!
Feature
Good For You!
August 5, 2026
Send us your celebrations! The “Good For You!” page is a place for reader-submitted photos illustrating community, celebrations and more. Want to submit a photo for publication? Here are some guidelin...
Ridgway concert series puts trash in its place
Columns, Opinion...
GUEST COLUMN
Ridgway concert series puts trash in its place
By Dave Kehmeier 
August 5, 2026
“Hey Landfill, you malignant festering heap of methane-spewing, planet-warming garbage, Recycle and Compost just ate your leftover lunch!” This summer’s concert series was Ridgway’s first ever zero- w...
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