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County, Forest Service to discuss Yankee Boy closure next week

Ouray County commissioners will hold a work session next week with the U.S. Forest Service to discuss their plan to close the upper portion of the roa...

April 8, 2026

Main, News

Ridgway sues MTN Lodge

The town of Ridgway is suing the owners of MTN Lodge over their plans to use the hotel as workforce housing for the next several years, aiming to susp...

April 1, 2026

Main, News

Proposed merger could make fire chief highest paid official

The current proposal to combine fire and emergency medical services entities in Ouray County could eventually make the new fire chief the highest-paid...

April 1, 2026

Main, News

Ridgway council candidates discuss issues at forum

Seasoned insights squared off with fresh perspective during an election forum last week as both of Ridgway’s mayoral candidates answered questions cen...

March 25, 2026

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County orders property owners to remove gates

Ouray County is warning owners of properties north of Red Mountain Pass they must immediately remove two unauthorized gates blocking public access roa...

March 25, 2026

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County may change rules for high-elevation wastewater systems

Ouray County property owners may be allowed to install composting and incinerating toilets without a septic system in certain areas of the county.Duri...

March 25, 2026

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Businesses weather weak winter

Warm temperatures and limited snowfall weakened sectors of Ouray's winter economy this year, triggering the shortest climbing season in the history of...

March 25, 2026

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Natural gas utility sparks debate with town

A Black Hills Energy presentation and customer survey on electrification sparked debate during a Ridgway Town Council meeting last week about an all-e...

March 25, 2026

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Mihelarakis advocates for creatives in first bid for office

Tia Mihelarakis believes the Ridgway Town Council deserves a leader with new perspectives — specifically those of creatives, renters and the younger g...

March 18, 2026

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Grambley seeks to foster economy, culture

Kevin Grambley believes being a Ridgway town councilor means supporting initiatives around music, art and other “everyday joys” the town can offer, as...

March 18, 2026

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Easter egg hunters hop to it

April 8, 2026

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Town mayor re-elected in landslide

Voters select incumbents Grambley, Scoville, newcomer Greenwood

By By Lia Salvatierra and Erin McIntyre lia@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

April 8, 2026

John Clark will continue serving as Ridgway mayor, defeating his only challenger in 14 years since he was first elected, newcomer Tia Mihelarakis. Clark received 321 votes to Mihelarakis’ 51 votes. Cl...

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Does Ouray need a new pool house? Council, public split

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

April 8, 2026

A series of tweaks to the design of a proposed new pool house at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool has exposed a deep divide among Ouray City Council members and the public over whether the city should proce...

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Council absorbs more criticism over police

Employee pleads 'give us answers' as city OKs higher reimbursement rate for law enforcement services

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

April 8, 2026

The Ouray City Council on Monday agreed to pay Ouray County more for providing law enforcement services in the city, but not before absorbing another round of blistering criticism from the public and ...

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Ouray man killed in highway accident

By Plaindealer Staff Report Plaindealer@ouraynews.com

April 8, 2026

A 34-year-old Ouray man died in a two-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 550 south of Ridgway Monday night Alixzander Thomsen was driving the Dodge Caravan, headed toward Ouray, when the crash occurred ...

Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines