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Developer pitches Ridgway mixed-use project

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that the Ouray County Regional Service Authority no longer pays for the software used by the m...

March 5, 2025

News

Commissioners shift focus to new manager

Ouray County commissioners either will hire an interim county manager or a consultant to help run the county when County Manager Connie Hunt leaves he...

February 19, 2025

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Commissioners pledge help for cash-poor cemetery

Cedar Hill Cemetery needs lots of TLC, and board members hope Ouray County will provide a pathway to help revitalize the nearly 150-year-old cemetery....

February 19, 2025

Main, News

County manager resigns

Ouray County Manager Connie Hunt resigned from her position after meeting with commissioners for more than three hours Tuesday to discuss her performa...

February 12, 2025

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Manager faces criticism

Ouray County commissioners spent more than an hour Wednesday criticizing County Manager Connie Hunt’s job performance in the last year, saying they fe...

February 5, 2025

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County OKs water plant near Colona

A water treatment plant proposed for U.S. Highway 550 near Colona is a step closer to being built after the Ouray County commissioners voted 2-1 Tuesd...

December 18, 2024

Main, News

County OKs new rental rules

Ouray County commissioners unanimously adopted a new short-term rental ordinance Tuesday despite an outpouring of concern from some current permit hol...

October 2, 2024

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Planning commissioners debate Ridgway’s land-use needs

The Ridgway Planning Commission is envisioning what the town should look like in the future.The commission is looking at the economic implications of ...

September 4, 2024

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Ridgway may loosen regs for accessory units

Regulations for accessory dwelling units in Ridgway may become looser after the Planning Commission recommended changes to the town’s ordinance.If the...

September 4, 2024

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New vacation rental rules ready for review

Ouray County’s revised short-term rental ordinance is ready for official review. County commissioners on Tuesday OK’d putting the ordinance on a meeti...

August 21, 2024

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Pilot dies in reservoir crash

Accident under investigation; man honored with procession

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

An experienced firefighting pilot who was pulling water from Silver Jack Reservoir to battle the Gold Mountain Fire died Sunday when his helicopter plunged into the reservoir northeast of Ridgway. Nic...

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Heights, heat add to firefighters’ strain

By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

Hotshot Jesse Eaves calls it “The Great Race.” At the small tent city along U.S. Highway 550, Eaves starts each day with a 5 a.m. wakeup call. Thus begins an eight-minute sprint for him and his Califo...

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County approves hiring fire recovery manager — if it can find funding

By Mike Wiggins and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

Ouray County intends to hire an employee who can help lead the county’s efforts to recover from the Gold Mountain Fire — assuming it can find funding. County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agree...

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Trust, county close to conserving open space park

Grants, donations put nonprofit on brink of acquiring Silver Mountain Mine property

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

July 15, 2026

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 $180,000 Great Outdoors Colorado grant. Couple that wit...

News

Man gets probation, community service in sex assault case

One of three defendants, Whittington admits to giving alcohol to minor

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

A former Ouray County man was sentenced Monday to one year of unsupervised probation for providing alcohol to a then-17-year-old girl who said she was sexually assaulted by two others at the former Ou...

Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines