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A bill to transfer Crystal Reservoir to the city of Ouray is another step closer to becoming law after the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously p...

June 3, 2026

News

Ridgway Library aims to boost access to resources

The Ridgway Public Library is homing in on its priorities for future years in a strategic plan that the board of trustees aims to adopt this fall.Top ...

June 3, 2026

News

Healthcare access survey finds support for community paramedic program

A survey on access to healthcare in Ouray County found public support for a community paramedic program, which leaders of the effort hope to launch as...

June 3, 2026

Main, News

Governments push for better transit service

Ouray County’s three local governments are calling for the OurWay shuttle to run more often and become more user-friendly. Local government leaders wa...

May 27, 2026

News

County denies permit for disc golf tourney

Ouray County commissioners on Tuesday denied a permit for a disc golf tournament on residential properties on Log Hill Mesa, after hearing further com...

May 27, 2026

Feature

Couple discovers the sweet life in Ouray

When life became uncertain, Todd and Jen Grassi figured they couldn’t go wrong with ice cream, homemade waffle cones and cotton candy. It only took th...

May 27, 2026

News

Ouray County EMS to raise fees

Ouray County commissioners plan to raise fees for treatment and ambulance transports from Ouray County Emergency Medical Services starting in June.Com...

May 20, 2026

News

Mass evacuation exercise tests county’s preparedness

At 9:28 a.m., Amy Clewell and her two pretend siblings gathered in her driveway in Elk Meadows, debating whether it was time to call for help. They wa...

May 20, 2026

News

Ridgway rolls out banner program

A banner ornamenting Ridgway’s skyscape is waving over Sherman Street and is now available to advertise town-sponsored and nonprofit events in town.Th...

May 20, 2026

News

After prolonged debate, idling rules fail

“Idle-Free Ridgway” remains a motto rather than a rule after the Ridgway Town Council last week voted down an anti-idling ordinance that has drawn zea...

May 20, 2026

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...

News

Man gets probation, community service in sex assault case

One of three defendants, Whittington admits to giving alcohol to minor

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

A former Ouray County man was sentenced Monday to one year of unsupervised probation for providing alcohol to a then-17-year-old girl who said she was sexually assaulted by two others at the former Ou...

Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines