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Ouray students outperform peers on state standardized tests

Ouray School District students have outperformed their peers across Colorado on standardized tests, in some cases scoring more than double the state a...

October 25, 2023

News

School custodian fired for underwear photos

A Ouray School custodian was fired after administrators and police discovered photos of second-grade girls on his personal cellphone, some of which fo...

October 25, 2023

News

Feds propose permit system for Blue Lakes

Editor's note: This article has been corrected to reflect the number of hikers allowed in the proposed permitting system. Plan could be implemented in...

October 18, 2023

A: Main, News

Banned books author to speak in Ouray

The author of the second- most banned book in the U.S. will give a presentation on intellectual freedom on Friday at the Ouray Community Center. Georg...

October 4, 2023

Feature

Kismet Cafe meant to be in Ridgway

Soon-to-open eatery will feature Mediterranean cuisine Visiting the kitchen at the soon-to-open Kismet Cafe in Ridgway is a little bit like watching "...

September 27, 2023

A: Main, News

Man gets 8 years for cop threats

Fearing for safety, victims seek max sentence; DA calls Gottorff 'scourge' on community A judge sentenced a Ridgway man to eight years in prison after...

September 20, 2023

News

Final chapter for bookshop?

Ouray gem's future in limbo after loss of long-term lease in Beaumont The Ouray Bookshop will close a chapter in its long history at the Beaumont Hote...

September 13, 2023

News

Helicopter mapping project begins

Don't be alarmed. The low-flying helicopter you will likely see in the region over the next few months is collecting data for a mapping project. The U...

August 30, 2023

News

Revenue-Virginius Mine sells for $1.8 million

Nevada-based Thorin Resources acquires property at auction The Revenue-Virginius Silver Mine above Ouray has been auctioned off for $1.8 million. Acco...

August 16, 2023

Feature

MEET ME AT THE FAIR

This year's event features carnival games, livestock auction It's time for the Ouray County Fair and this year's event features everything from livest...

August 9, 2023

News

Woman sentenced to probation in retaliation case

By Mike Wiggins

May 8, 2026

A former Ouray woman was ordered Thursday to spend two years on probation for retaliating against a woman who accused her son of sexual assault in 2023. Kristyn Trujillo must also perform 96 hours of ...

Main, News...

Beetle Mania

Drought conditions prime for insect infestation in county, experts warn

By LIA SALVATIERRA

May 6, 2026

In some parts of Ouray County it may look like popcorn grows on trees. The milky, honey-colored pocks on the trunks of ponderosa pines and other trees signal efforts to fend off their attackers: bark ...

Main

Wildfire building rules trigger mix of compliance, skepticism

By By Mike Wiggins, Lia Salvatierra and Erin McIntyre lia@ouraynews.com mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

May 6, 2026

A state mandate requiring local governments to adopt stricter building rules to protect new and remodeled homes against wildfire has sparked varying reactions from elected officials in Ouray County. T...

News

County policy would govern AI use

Manager: 'Folks want to feel we are doing our jobs, not delegating it to AI'

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

May 6, 2026

Ouray County commissioners want to regulate how employees use artificial intelligence when doing county work and limit cybercrime risk. Commissioners on April 29 looked at the first draft of an AI pol...

News

Town to pilot zero-waste rules at concerts

Following strong pushback from businesses, nonprofits, board devises more relaxed regulations

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

May 6, 2026

The town of Ridgway's Sustainability Advisory Board will pilot “zero-waste” rules at the town’s summer concert series, while it continues to craft a broader policy to implement for all events on town ...

Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines