Flood work could begin within week - Ouray County Plaindealer

Ouray resident John Nixon poses a question to National Weather Service hydrologist Erin Walter during a meeting at the Ouray Community Center on Tuesday. Photo by Erin McIntyre | Ouray County Plaindealer

Main, News

By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com, on August 12, 2026

Flood work could begin within week

Ouray County officials said Tuesday that flood mitigation work below the Gold Mountain Fire’s burn scar could begin as soon as next week, while warning that storms in the coming days could trigger further debris flows and accompanying property damage.

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...

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...

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 ...

News

Why can rain on wildfire burn scars trigger dangerous flooding? A geologist explains

By By Jen Pierce The Conversation

August 5, 2026

When heavy rain hits burned hillsides, it can set off dangerous floods and debris flows that can move with the speed of a freight train, picking up or destroying anything in their path. These debris f...

News

Riders scrutinize Ouray’s new shuttle service

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

August 5, 2026

The launch of a free shuttle in Ouray this summer is off to an uneven start, with riders and a shuttle driver pointing out shortcomings and questioning how the city will determine whether the service ...

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...

Calendar & Events, Feature...

Calendar & Events

Aug. 6-19, 2026

August 5, 2026

Thursday, August 6 Ridgway Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Hartwell Park – on Thursday this week due to Ridgway Rendezvous. Youth Garden Club for ages 8-18, "Other Undergrounders" root vegetables, f...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines