Author - News

Feature

Walk into Sally Jo Ocasio’s The Vintage Vault in Ridgway, and you will see a wide array of fun, ageless treasures both retro and modern. Just give it ...

April 24, 2024

News

Local schools cancel contract with state school-work program

A program helping students with disabilities transition into the workforce has been canceled in Ouray and Ridgway after there weren't enough participa...

March 20, 2024

Feature

Ridgway Wrench pedals to new location

After seven years at 380 Sherman St., across from Hartwell Park in Ridgway, Nate Miller is moving Ridgway Wrench to the industrial park at 621 N. Cora...

February 28, 2024

Feature

CERTIFIABLY MOUTHWATERING

With USDA certification in hand, Ouray Meat & Cheese Market eyes expansion, national market Tony Schmidt’s bratwurst, made from his grandfather’s ...

February 28, 2024

News

County asks public for evacuation plan input

Ouray County is asking residents to take an online survey to help create an up-to-date, effective evacuation plan for the entire county. The county is...

February 21, 2024

Feature

FIFTY YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Ouray Mountain Rescue Team celebrates 50 years of rescue service this coming summer, and while the organization once had to take out a short-term ...

February 14, 2024

Feature

BOOSTING OURAY’S WINTER ECONOMY, ONE GLASS AT A TIME

Winter Wine Festival returns to Wright Opera House Feb. 17 A little more than a year ago, four community members and business leaders sat by the firep...

February 7, 2024

Main, News...

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...

Main, News...

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...

News

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...

News

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...

Ellen Metrick Special to the Plaindealer

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines