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News

Ridgway to market itself as destination, not crossroads

A consultant has recommended that Ridgway reimagine its marketing campaign to bring outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs and regional explorers to town....

July 22, 2026

News

Trust, county close to conserving open space park

Ouray County is much closer to getting a new open space park on the Silver Mountain Mine property. The Trust for Land Restoration has received a $180,...

July 15, 2026

News

First fire, then floods? Leaders start planning for next potential emergency

Even though the Gold Mountain Fire is still burning, Ouray County officials are already thinking about flash flood risks in the burn scar as Colorado ...

July 8, 2026

Main, News

City curtails holiday events, keeps parade

Fourth of July events in Ouray will be scaled back this year in response to the Gold Mountain Fire, with the July 3 fire department benefit concert an...

July 1, 2026

News

In light of staff survey, commissioners vow to govern better, improve pay

Ouray County commissioners responded to the good, the bad and the ugly from the “2026 Employee Viewpoint Survey,” saying they were pleased county empl...

July 1, 2026

News

July 4 water fights canceled, but parade decision in limbo

Ouray businesses and residents will have to hold their collective breath awhile longer until city officials decide whether the Fourth of July parade w...

July 1, 2026

Main, News

County to pursue use tax

Ouray County voters likely will be asked this fall to approve a use tax on both new vehicle purchases and construction material purchases, with most o...

June 24, 2026

News

County policy would govern AI use

Ouray County commissioners want to regulate how employees use artificial intelligence when doing county work and limit cybercrime risk. Commissioners ...

May 6, 2026

News

County to tighten rules for agriculture exemption permits

The rules will be tightened for those wanting to obtain Ouray County’s agriculture exemption permits. Ouray County commissioners authorized the Land U...

May 6, 2026

News

Commissioners: Serious about not overspending

Ouray County commissioners are serious about ensuring county departments don’t overspend this year. They spent 90 minutes on April 29 reviewing the ty...

May 6, 2026

Main, News...

‘Pinched on every front’

Historic drought, wildfires, high feed prices strain local ranchers

By Chart Riggall

August 12, 2026

One breezy afternoon in mid-July, Mike Potter's phone started making all kinds of noise. “It goes, beep, beep, beep, beep!” shouted the Ridgway rancher, brandishing his flip phone from the pocket of h...

Main, News...

Flood work could begin within week

By Chart Riggall

August 12, 2026

Ouray County officials said Tuesday that flood mitigation work below the Gold Mountain Fire’s burn scar could begin as soon as next week, while warning that storms in the coming days could trigger fur...

News

Firefighter base moves to Gunnison

Fairgrounds empty as focus shifts to Elk Fire

By James Hanlon

August 12, 2026

The incident command post for the Gold Mountain Fire relocated to the Gunnison County Fairgrounds Saturday as Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2 took over for Team 1 and combined effort...

Feature

County fair carries on

Fire doesn't stop 4-H kids from showing their animals this week

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

August 12, 2026

The night the Gold Mountain Fire started, the Cornell family anxiously watched the fire spreading toward their fenced livestock, the billowing smoke filling the canyon. They decided to load up their h...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

We need to stand firm to preserve alpine tundra

By Dianne Eschman

August 12, 2026

Dear Editor: The July 23 guest column by Sue Dreamweaver Spielman was excellent and brings up so many issues that we regular backcountry users experience. I have been recreating in this area since 197...

Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines