Videos E-edition
Latest News
New county manager seeks to lead with heart
Main, News...
New county manager seeks to lead with heart
After careers in big cities and large governments, Antonio Mendez is shifting his perspective
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 4, 2026
Ouray County is unlike most places Antonio Mendez has lived or worked before, and Mendez brings experience unlike the county has seen in two decades, or possibly ever. Ouray County’s new manager grew up the son of Dominican immigrants in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City, known as a hub of Dominican culture. He built a career moving swiftly between different state and federal go...
Read More
Good for you! Uncompahgre STEAM Fair
Feature
Good for you! Uncompahgre STEAM Fair
February 4, 2026
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 guidelines for submissions: - This ...
News
Looking Back
News
Looking Back
February 4, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago February 3, 1966 Four young men walked out of the Yankee Boy Basin snowfield Wednesda...
News
Council, mayor seats up for election
February 4, 2026
Ridgway’s town council has three council seats and the mayor's position coming up for election this spring. Mayor John Clark and councilors Terry Schuyler, Kevin Grambley and Josey Scoville are up for...
News
‘Love Song’ takes to stage for Valentine’s
February 4, 2026
Sometimes audiences need a whimsical, light performance. And that's what folks can expect from UpstART Theater's next play, "Love Song," timed to lead up to Valentine's Day. The all-local cast of perf...
Calendar & Events
News
Calendar & Events
February 4, 2026
Thursday, February 5 Ouray County Republican Central Committee monthly meeting, 6 p.m., Twin Peaks Lodge and Hot Springs Sunshine Room, 50 Third Ave. in Ouray. Sewing class: Tote bags, from 1-3 p.m. a...
Sheriff’s office takes on policing for city, meeting scheduled tonight
News
Sheriff’s office takes on policing for city, meeting scheduled tonight
Another officer resigns from police department, leaving sergeant and administrative assistant
By Mike Wiggins 
February 2, 2026
The Ouray County Sheriff’s Office has assumed full responsibility for law enforcement services in the city of Ouray after City Administrator Michelle Metteer reassigned the police department’s two rem...
Features coverage
Looking Back
Feature
Looking Back
January 28, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago January 27, 1966 In a memorandum to Idarado employees in January, A.C. Hilander, gene...
Calendar & Events
Calendar & Events, Feature...
Calendar & Events
Jan. 29 – Feb. 11, 2026
January 28, 2026
THURSDAY JANUARY 29 After school craft time for elementary school students, 4-4:45 p.m. at the Ouray Public Library, 320 Sixth Ave. Tech Thursday – Get help with quick tech problems from 4-6 p.m. at t...
Film showcases climber’s return to sport
Feature
Film showcases climber’s return to sport
'Anna' documents how Ouray-based Pfaff pushed ahead after amputation of toes
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
January 21, 2026
Anna Pfaff’s choice to move onward and, especially upward, resonates beyond world-class peaks in a locally made film on the elite Ouray-based climber. "Anna" is a 22-minute portrait of Pfaff’s return ...
Special Sections
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Prairie dogs should be celebrated, not killed
February 4, 2026
Dear Editor: Thank you for alerting the public to the absurd bluff of Mark Kirk. He is threatening to sue the Ouray County commissioners if they don’t adopt a regulation to accommodate the exterminati...
Main, News...
Town prepares for legal battle
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
January 28, 2026
Editor's note: This article has been corrected to reflect that Ridgway Lodge LLC is the owner of MTN Lodge. Ridgway retains attorney after MTN Lodge owners say they won't pay taxes on long-term worker...
Main, News...
County eyes budget cuts
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
January 28, 2026
Manager: Looking for ways to avoid cutting employees Ouray County leaders have loosely settled on wanting to cut $500,000 from the county’s 2026 budget, anticipating they will have more unexpected exp...
Coroner seeks help with unclaimed body
News
Coroner seeks help with unclaimed body
January 28, 2026
Ouray County's coroner is seeking help finding friends of a man who was estranged from his family and died at a Ouray hotel. Quality Inn staff found William Curio Jr., who went by Billy, in his hotel ...
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