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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

Ridgway runs afoul of labor laws

Town council will consider remedy to lack of overtime pay for deputies next week Deputies who serve and protect Ridgway work in the only town departme...

August 2, 2023

News

WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?

Wetterhorn affordable housing neighborhood takes shape A small crowd gathered Tuesday morning to watch a crane lift the first round of homes from fla...

July 26, 2023

Feature

‘THE THEME IS FUN’

Sweet Ouray offers a taste of nostalgiaName a place in Ouray where you can get gummy sushi, a hat shaped like a crazed squirrel, a Jeep T-shirt, some ...

July 26, 2023

News

Ridgway considers pickleball tournament

Town doesn't want to interfere with tennis players Ridgway town councilors last week urged a group of pickleball enthusiasts to take the pulse of othe...

July 19, 2023

News

Fire crews aim to draw ‘big box’ around blaze

By Chart Riggall

July 17, 2026

Surveying a sprawling map of the northern San Juans on Wednesday, Mike Smith was deep in a geometry of fire. Fingers tracing fire lines and ridges, Smith – who assumed the role of incident commander o...

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...

Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines