Videos E-edition
Crews working to plug old water well
A towering steel drill that was perched for a few weeks on the east side of U.S. Highway 550 between Ridgway and Ouray has been working to fill a decades-old water well. The work is being performed by Utah-based contractor Delsco Northwest on land owned by Ridgway's Wolf family. Photo by Chart Riggall | Ouray County Plaindealer
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By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com, on September 9, 2026
Crews working to plug old water well
Operation part of state program to reclaim abandoned sites

It’s not what you think.

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Water restrictions exception, not rule
Colorado is on track for its warmest year ever. Source flows are diminishing or at historic lows. So why has only one water provider in Ouray County ordered cutbacks this summer?
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
September 9, 2026
In the early days of summer, it remained a matter of some debate where the drought of 2026 ranked in the annals of long, hot Colorado summers. For Cary Denison, Ouray County’s representative on the Co...
News
Fourteen measures to appear on statewide ballot
Graduated income tax, right to hunt and fish, anti-trans measures set to go before Colorado voters in November
By By Chase Woodruff Colorado Newsline 
September 9, 2026
The Colorado secretary of state’s office on Friday certified the list of ballot measures going before voters in November 2026 — and once again, the list is a long one. A total of 14 measures will be d...
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Disaster relief tax an investment in resilience
September 9, 2026
Dear Editor: I am writing to express my strong support for a dedicated Ouray County tax to provide funding for disaster relief, emergency preparedness, and community recovery. Those of us who live in ...
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Grateful to tell stories here, ink stains and all
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Grateful to tell stories here, ink stains and all
By James Hanlon 
September 9, 2026
Sometimes, I journal to process major life events. I’ve lived in a lot of places worth journaling about and my latest move is no exception. I’ve been in Ouray for six weeks now and I’m struck by the s...
Looking Back
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Looking Back
September 9, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago September 8, 1966 The Colorado Board of Public Health has ordered Ouray to appear bef...
Colorado’s rocky road to statehood
News
Colorado’s rocky road to statehood
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
September 9, 2026
Last month Colorado celebrated its 150th anniversary of statehood. Many of us assume that statehood was inevitable for this place we love. However, the 17-year quest was met with significant resistanc...
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Local Briefs
Commissioners renew, reduce staff positions
September 9, 2026
Ouray County commissioners on Tuesday approved rehiring two vacant staff positions while reducing a third position to part time. The two full-time positions are for mechanics in the Road and Bridge De...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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