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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...

‘This is the challenge that I needed in my life’

Ouray Ice Park's new executive director trims staff, seeks more buy-in from recreational climbers amid financial crunch

By Chart Riggall

October 21, 2026

In the waning weeks of the 2019 ice climbing season, a 27-year-old Tres Barbatelli stood at the bottom of the Uncompahgre Gorge wondering what he’d just done. Minutes before, he’d rappelled down into ...

Main, News...

Police department dissolved

Council turns over services to sheriff; remaining employee laid off

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

October 21, 2026

The city of Ouray terminated the sole employee of its police department and turned over its police services to the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, officially dissolving a stand-alone law enf...

News

Paramedic fired after three months’ leave

Commissioners pause refilling second EMS vacancy

By James Hanlon

October 21, 2026

A paramedic for Ouray County Emergency Medical Services, who has been on administrative leave since the Gold Mountain Fire, was fired last week after a meeting with county administration went awry. Jo...

News

County wraps up draft budget without layoffs

Initial plan leaves five positions vacant, reduces some departmental hours

By James Hanlon

October 21, 2026

Ouray County’s draft budget for next year proposes five staff reductions from general fund departments – all of which are currently vacant positions. The positions are from administration, the assesso...

News

Veteran transport program approved

October 21, 2026

After resolving concerns about an intergovernmental agreement with San Miguel County, Ouray County commissioners approved a new partnership last week that will transport veterans to medical appointmen...

Ellen Metrick Special to the Plaindealer

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines