Author - News

News

In budget crunch, county may revive hiring policy

Ouray County leaders plan to revive a policy that would allow county commissioners to reconsider hiring new employees to fill vacant roles, as alarm o...

October 15, 2025

Main, News

Hiring freeze, no pay raises for county

Ouray County plans to enact a hiring freeze and eliminate raises, including cost-of-living adjustments, to help balance its 2026 budget. After a nearl...

October 8, 2025

News

Ridgway bans artificial turf for most new projects

The Ridgway Town Council has approved new landscaping rules that ban artificial turf for non-recreational uses, including residential properties.The r...

October 8, 2025

Main, News

State to speed up some safety upgrades on Highway 550

The Colorado Department of Transportation will expedite a shoulder-widening project on U.S. Highway 550 and potential interim safety measures along th...

October 1, 2025

News

New to wildfire science, nonprofit director boasts experience in leadership, planning

Tim Pinnow's resume might not immediately lead someone to think about forestry or fire mitigation. But what you will find is evidence of a career spen...

October 1, 2025

News

District attorney seeks 35% hike in budget, mostly for payroll

Just a year after the Seventh Judicial District Attorney’s Office asked Ouray County for a 13% budget increase, the office is seeking to nearly triple...

October 1, 2025

Main, News

Hurd mum on reservoir transfer

U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd is remaining mum on whether he will support a bill that would transfer Crystal Reservoir from the U.S. Forest Service to the city ...

September 24, 2025

Main, News

Prairie dog mitigation to proceed

Top of the Pines will hire a contractor to lethally fumigate a portion of its prairie dog population, despite adopting a management plan prioritizing ...

September 24, 2025

News

Postal Service probing locked boxes in Ridgway

The U.S. Postal Service is addressing complaints from Ridgway residents who had their post office boxes at the Ridgway Post Office locked without noti...

September 24, 2025

News

County names trio of manager finalists

Ouray County commissioners have selected three finalists for the county manager vacancy, a step toward ensuring they will usher in new, permanent coun...

September 24, 2025

News

Ridgway council votes to explore all-electric rules with grant money

By LIA SALVATIERRA

June 12, 2026

The Ridgway Town Council has decided it’s willing to take a chance on a grant-funded public process in pursuit of an all-electric building code for new construction. Councilors unanimously voted on We...

News

County hires finance director

By Plaindealer Staff

June 10, 2026

An economist and finance strategist has been hired as Ouray County's chief financial officer. Ouray County announced this week it has hired Jason Schrock for the position and he will start in July. Ou...

News

County to provide free reproductive health services

By LIA SALVATIERRA

June 10, 2026

Ouray County Public Health will now provide free reproductive health services for patients under 25 years old, under new agreements approved by county commissioners Tuesday. The yearlong program calle...

News

Primary ballots mailed to voters

By Plaindealer Staff

June 10, 2026

Ouray County voters should begin receiving ballots in the mail this week in advance of the June 30 primary election. Most of the competition for the primary election is at the state and federal level....

Main, News...

A well-deserved honor

June 10, 2026

Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines