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News

Session marked by bipartisan accomplishments

As we hit the 120th day of the 2022 session, I reflect on our accomplishments. After several nights working past midnight, then coming back to work ea...

May 19, 2022

Opinion

Bills aimed at helping our tribal neighbors

The Southern Utes and Ute Mountain Utes are the only two federally recognized tribes in Colorado. Tribal members have been working with us in the Gene...

March 23, 2022

Millions in investments show state hasn’t forgotten importance of agriculture

Traditionally, the Colorado Department of Agriculture doesn’t ask for much. When department heads annually visit the Joint Budget Committee, outlining...

February 10, 2022

Initial bills focus on saving money, cutting crime

This session of the legislature started out with friendly greetings, rousing speeches, mostly-masked gatherings, and what reporters are calling a “las...

January 27, 2022

Opinion

Legislation aimed at advancing state’s vital agricultural industry

My grandfather was a mover and shaker in the Colorado sugar beet industry with Great Western Sugar, and he was also a professor of agriculture at Colo...

April 28, 2021

It’s time to stop giving civics short shrift in the classroom

If you watch enough national news, it’s easy to think that Democrats and Republicans rarely speak, always argue, refuse to compromise, and have nothin...

April 14, 2021

OHV, teacher licensure among frenzy of bills

We’re seeing a lot of action in the Capitol these days, as legislators present their final bills while we collectively prepare to work on the Long Bil...

April 1, 2021

A lot is riding on school testing decision

My last few weeks have been filled with Zooms, phone calls and research concerning a legislative game combining “Mother May I” with the High Hurdles. ...

March 4, 2021

Itâs time we listen to the unheard

My column this week was going to review the work we were doing at the Capitol as we rejoined with other Legislators after so many weeks of working at ...

June 4, 2020

Looming state budget cuts will nick everyone

Colorado’s general fund is taking a pounding during the pandemic. Unless Washington steps in with more aid to state and local governments, legislators...

May 14, 2020

News

City administrator to lead Ouray police chief search

By Mike Wiggins

January 21, 2026

Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer told city councilors Tuesday she will take charge of recruiting a new police chief. That’s a different approach than the city took when it was looking for a p...

Main, News...

ICE FARMERS GET THEIR CROP

A long-awaited cold snap allows Ice Park to open, just in time for festival

By LIA SALVATIERRA

January 21, 2026

After weeks of planning for the worst, the Ouray Ice Park has ice to offer after all, just in time for the 31st Ice Festival this weekend. Ice Park Executive Director Peter O’Neil has spent the past t...

Main, News...

Judge delays assault trials

Attorneys say they're not ready; cases will be heard by Montrose juries

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

January 21, 2026

The trials for two men accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Ouray County in 2023 have been postponed, even as the woman and the judge presiding over the cases expressed concerns about ...

News

New county manager tackles big ticket items

Mendez focused on 2027 budget, team building

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 21, 2026

Ouray County’s new manager wants commissioners to start thinking about the county’s 2027 budget now — just two weeks into 2026 and three weeks into his new job. During Antonio Mendez’s first work sess...

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 ...

Barbara Mclachlan

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines