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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

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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

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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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Top of the Pines management rules refined

Ouray County commissioners are poised to renew their Top of the Pines Management Agreement with the nonprofit that oversees the 175-acre park southwes...

August 21, 2024

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Firefighters gain ground

Sheriff allows some evacuees to return home; blaze shifts away from populated areas

By By Mike Wiggins, Erin McIntyre and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

July 8, 2026

Residents forced to flee the Gold Mountain Fire north of Ouray nearly two weeks ago returned to charred landscapes but fully intact homes Wednesday, an indication that authorities believe the threat h...

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Despite fire, downsized Fourth celebration marches on

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

July 8, 2026

A scaled-back Fourth of July celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States and 150th birthday of Ouray attracted thousands to the city, despite the cancellation of fireworks, water fights and...

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

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

July 8, 2026

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 moves into monsoon season. “This is a predictable ...

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Fire pushes stressed wildlife into urban areas

By By James Hanlon Special to the Plaindealer

July 8, 2026

Wildlife escaping the Gold Mountain Fire are moving closer to town, prompting state wildlife officials to advise the public on how they can simultaneously help and give animals the space they need. Wi...

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Water providers ask customers to pull back

Ridgway enacts mandatory irrigation restrictions

By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

July 8, 2026

Water managers in Ouray County are asking residents to curtail water use and avoid putting more demand on their distribution systems in light of the Gold Mountain Fire and ongoing tinder-dry condition...

Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines