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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Ridgway fire chief gets raise

Ridgway Fire Chief Chris Miller will receive a 14% salary increase and be paid a $95,000 salary for 2025 retroactively, after the Ridgway Fire Protect...

September 24, 2025

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Congressman focuses on free speech, health care during telephone town hall

U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd defended First and Second Amendment rights and components of President Donald Trump’s signature budget bill including changes to h...

September 24, 2025

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Cemetery, fire districts seek tax increases

Two taxing districts in Ouray County are asking for mill levy increases in November for the first time since they were created. The Cedar Hill Cemeter...

September 24, 2025

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A barrel of fun on Labor Day

September 9, 2026

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Water restrictions exception, not rule

Colorado is on track for its warmest year ever. Source flows are diminishing or at historic lows. So why has only one water provider in Ouray County ordered cutbacks this summer?

By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com

September 9, 2026

In the early days of summer, it remained a matter of some debate where the drought of 2026 ranked in the annals of long, hot Colorado summers. For Cary Denison, Ouray County’s representative on the Co...

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Trump declares disaster for fire

By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com

September 9, 2026

Move frees up federal relief money President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for the Gold Mountain and Aspen Acres fires, unlocking millions of dollars in Federal Emergency Manageme...

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Crews working to plug old water well

Operation part of state program to reclaim abandoned sites

By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com

September 9, 2026

It’s not what you think. A towering steel drill that’s been perched along the side of U.S. Highway 550 in recent weeks isn’t probing for gas, or oil, or even a route to the Far East. The operation is ...

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Parking enforcement nixes popular highway camping spot

By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com

September 9, 2026

Officials cite concerns about safety, health at Tuffy's Corner A highway pullout popular for overnight camper parking north of Ouray has been empty in recent weeks since ‘no camping’ signs were instal...

Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines