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News

After criticism last spring, group must meet several tourism promotion standardsThe Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce will continue marketing tourism p...

January 17, 2024

News

Deal helps protect bighorn sheep habitat

Montrose sheep ranch retires grazing permits south of OurayEfforts to protect bighorn sheep habitat in the San Juan Mountains recently received a boos...

January 10, 2024

News

Fire District struggles to fill open seat

For more than two months, the Ridgway Fire Protection District Board of Directors has been short a board member and the district has struggled to find...

January 10, 2024

News

Fire Department plans training center

Shipping container in Ridgway would offer permanent, year-round opportunitiesLocal public safety organizations may soon have a permanent training faci...

January 10, 2024

Feature

‘What else is there for me but this?’

Throughout Shea Freedom’s life, timing has been everything for better and for worse. It was everything when his mother passed away right before he was...

January 10, 2024

News

New program to fill energy workforce gaps

Initiative aimed at training for small-scale energy efficiency jobs For years, local renewable energy companies have struggled to find enough qualifie...

January 3, 2024

News

County eyes permit fee increases

Marijuana businesses expected to bear largest brunt of hike For the first time since 2008, Ouray County is expected to increase user fees across a bro...

January 3, 2024

News

Updated resolution secures public winter road access

In a win for winter recreationists and environmentalists, Ouray County commissioners last month approved an updated resolution designating certain cou...

January 3, 2024

News

Commissioners preview priorities, tout accomplishments

Ouray County commissioners discussed prioritizing public health, environmental protection and affordable housing projects in 2024, and reviewed highli...

January 3, 2024

News

County attorney receives glowing review

County Attorney Leo Caselli on Dec. 20 received glowing remarks from Ouray County commissioners during his annual performance review, earning 97 out o...

January 3, 2024

Main

Best feathers forward

August 19, 2026

Main

Bear activity ramping up

Second bruin killed in a week after several conflicts, entering home

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

August 19, 2026

State wildlife officials killed a young, female bear that entered a Ridgway home last weekend after days of conflicts and at least one incident with the bear killing chickens. Colorado Parks and Wildl...

Main

Police admin assistant resigns, blasts city

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

August 19, 2026

The Ouray Police Department's administrative assistant has resigned, leaving the office with one remaining employee assigned to desk duty. The resignation comes just after the city's response to a civ...

News

Disaster relief tax moves closer to ballot

Ouray, Ridgway councils negotiate for larger share of revenue; use tax for roads all but ruled out

By By Mike Wiggins and James Hanlon mike@ouraynews.com james@ouraynews.com

August 19, 2026

A proposed countywide sales tax to address fires, floods and other natural disasters appears to have a clear path to the November ballot, while a potential use tax on construction materials to raise m...

News

County road superintendent arrested on suspicion of DUI

By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com

August 19, 2026

Ouray County Road and Bridge Superintendent Ty Barger was placed on paid administrative leave Monday following a driving under the influence arrest in Montrose Aug. 14. Crew Chief Don Castle has been ...

Daniel Schmidt daniel@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines