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Raising the roof: Where do affordable housing projects stand?

Roof by roof, developers, nonprofit organizations and local governments are banding together to bring more affordable housing opportunities online in ...

December 4, 2024

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Ridgway fire chief slated for pay raise next year

The Ridgway Fire Protection District is looking to award Fire Chief Chris Miller a $15,000 salary increase in 2025, an 18% hike over this year’s salar...

December 4, 2024

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County orders removal of cabin

A cabin built on Red Mountain Pass must be removed, since the owner misled the county when he obtained approval for the project, Ouray County commissi...

November 27, 2024

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Ouray County resident receives council’s first wildfire-ready home certification

Last month, Bob Erickson placed the last piece of protective metal under the porch of his home in Eagle Hill Ranch near Ridgway. It was the final touc...

November 27, 2024

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County attorney retains high performance scores

Ouray County Attorney Leo Caselli received a near-perfect annual performance review score from county commissioners for the third year in a row, scori...

November 20, 2024

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Vacation rental owners push back on proposed ADU rule changes

A plan to keep accessory dwelling units from being used for short-term rentals in Ridgway has prompted objections from some short-term rental license ...

November 20, 2024

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Town to consider pitching in on new down payment program

The town of Ridgway is considering supporting a new down payment assistance program that offers up to $100,000 in loans for homebuyers in the local wo...

November 20, 2024

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Two needs, one project

In a first for Ouray County — and maybe the country — the Waterview affordable housing development will attempt to solve two problems under one roof. ...

November 14, 2024

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Clerk to commissioners: Revamp meetings to increase efficiency

Ouray County leaders will refine meeting processes for efficiency to benefit the public and county staff following a request from the county clerk and...

November 13, 2024

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County revises budget, boosts allocations to sheriff’s office

The majority of more than $379,400 in general fund expenditures added to the county's $23.8 million 2025 spending proposed in September is going towar...

November 13, 2024

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A visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus

December 10, 2025

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Vehicle problems toss wrench at sheriff

Maintenance costs pile up as agency wrestles with delays in replacing patrol cars

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

December 10, 2025

Gio Mendoza’s coworkers thought he was missing for more than an hour. Emergency dispatchers were scrambling to get in touch with him. They had no idea the Ouray County sheriff’s investigator was stran...

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Resident: Tax money should fund ‘creatives’

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

December 10, 2025

A Ridgway woman is proposing the town give "creative" residents a monthly, unconditional cash payment to encourage them to stay living and working in town. Ridgway resident Tia Mihelarakis proposed a ...

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Commissioner opposes change to cost-savings policy

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

December 10, 2025

Ouray County Commissioner Lynn Padgett voted against a minor change to the county's new cost-savings policy, citing unclear language as the reason she canceled her attendance at a statewide conference...

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County OKs budget, will diminish savings

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

December 10, 2025

Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to accurately reflect the county's disaster fund balance heading into 2026. Ouray County commissioners approved the county's 2026 budget during their regul...

Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines