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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

Ridgway man sentenced to prison in sex assault case

By Mike Wiggins

June 6, 2025

A judge sentenced a Ridgway man to three years in prison Thursday for sexually assaulting a 28-year-old woman in 2023 after he claimed he was drunk and thought she was his wife. Brian Scranton, 49, hu...

Main, News...

Fire victims in limbo

Three years after federal prescribed burn destroyed their home, family has no answers or compensation

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

June 4, 2025

She spent three months carefully itemizing everything they lost in the fire, trying to remember what was in kitchen drawers and closets. Every piece of silverware, furniture, clothing, appliances and ...

Main, News...

Wildfire mitigation nonprofit shrinks

Expecting funding cuts, West Region Wildfire Council trims staff, ends free services

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 4, 2025

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the West Region Wildfire Council received $7,184.63 donations from individuals in 2023. The Plaindealer received this information from the no...

News

Mobile home park deed restrictions delayed

Swiss Village residents say limitations too restrictive

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

June 4, 2025

The Ouray City Council postponed approving a series of deed restrictions for the Swiss Village Mobile Home Park on Monday after residents who are on the cusp of buying the property objected, saying th...

Feature

A HEART FOR ADVOCACY

After leading special education services in the San Juans for 12 years,Tammy Johnson is retiring, giving way to a new director

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 4, 2025

A good administrator never forgets what it’s like to be a teacher. Those are the words signing off Tammy Johnson’s email and ones she’s lived by while leading the Uncompahgre Board of Cooperative Educ...

Barbara Mclachlan

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines