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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...

Evacuation drill an exercise not in futility

County's first full-scale training May 15 meant to 'test where our holes are'

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

Sirens will wail and residents will likely see emergency vehicles headed through Ridgway, up County Road 5 on May 15. Traffic will filter back into town, with residents headed to an evacuation center....

Main, News...

Mine owner proposes water treatment

Unable to reduce heavy metals in Red Mountain Creek, Newmont exploring building plant atop pass

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

The company that owns the Idarado Mine is exploring the idea of building a treatment plant on Red Mountain Pass to remove heavy metals from water flowing into Red Mountain Creek. Representatives from ...

News

Town mulls affordable housing mandate

Ridgway may require 10% of units to be deed restricted

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

The town of Ridgway will consider requiring developers to reserve 10% of units within market-rate residential projects as affordable housing for local workers and retirees. The proposed “community hou...

News

County raises 4-H use fees

Commissioners approve first facility rate increase since 2015

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

Fees for using the Ouray County 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds are going up for the first time in more than a decade, with the aim of making the facility’s operations self-sustaining. It’s the large...

News

County holds firm on road access

Commissioners issue notice of violation to high alpine property owners, seek removal of gates

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 29, 2026

Ouray County may sue the owners of properties north of Red Mountain Pass if they don’t agree to remove two gates and restore public access to a road owned by the county and the U.S. Forest Service. Co...

Ellen Metrick Special to the Plaindealer

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines