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Grateful to tell stories here, ink stains and all
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By James Hanlon, on September 9, 2026
Grateful to tell stories here, ink stains and all

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 similarities to a mountain village in Japan where I taught English for three years after college.

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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...
Crews working to plug old water well
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Crews working to plug old water well
Operation part of state program to reclaim abandoned sites
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
September 9, 2026
It’s not what you think. A towering steel drill that’s been perched along the side of U.S. Highway 550 in recent weeks isn’t probing for gas, or oil, or even a route to the Far East. The operation is ...
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 ...
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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