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Ouray County leaders are considering more stringent rules prompted by a new state law which prohibits firearms in “sensitive spaces” like local govern...

December 18, 2024

Feature

For park, 30th birthday is ice-ing on the cake

The Ouray Ice Park is entering its third decade strong, hosting a number of new features and a new competition for the 2024-25 season, the Internation...

December 18, 2024

News

Blasting above Ouray postponed again

The owner of a property on Queen Street whose controversial blasting caused turmoil last summer — including two stop-work orders issued by Ouray Count...

December 11, 2024

News

County to try new meeting policies

In an effort to make meetings more efficient, Ouray County leaders have agreed to tighten deadlines and restructure their meetings. These changes come...

December 11, 2024

News

County holds off on new winter maintenance agreement

Ouray County commissioners have postponed approving the latest request from a resident to plow a road to access his home during the winter, saying the...

December 11, 2024

News

County wildlife species, ecology re-surveyed

This summer Peggy Lyon made her way through some of the very same fens and alpine tundra as she did 26 years ago, collecting data about all the differ...

December 11, 2024

Main, News

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

News

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

Main, News

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

News

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

Main, News...

Evacuations ordered near Cutler Creek as rain pummels burn scar

Oak Street closed due to mud, flooding

By Mike

July 29, 2026

UPDATE, 9:45 p.m. U.S. Highway 550 reopened between Ridgway and Ouray Wednesday night, authorities announced at 9:15 p.m. Emergency officials encouraged motorists to be cautions when driving through a...

Main, News...

Rain on burn scar triggers flooding, evacuation

Hydrologist: Above-average rain forecast through September

By Chart Riggall

July 29, 2026

Heavy rainfall over scorched soil sent flash floods raging down Cutler Creek on Sunday night, spilling mud down through Ponderosa Village and briefly shuttering U.S. Highway 550. The torrent of water ...

Main, News...

Fire scorches bottom lines

Reliant on summer tourism, reeling businesses running out of time to claw back lost revenue

By Mike Wiggins, Chart Riggall and Erin McIntyre

July 29, 2026

It didn’t take but a spark and a stiff breeze to turn Justin Mitchell’s summer upside down. During the first few hours of the Gold Mountain Fire, Mitchell — who runs a horseback guiding outfit in the ...

News

Governments team up on flood mitigation

City, nonprofits pitch in $165,000, while financially pinched county searches for more funding

By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

July 29, 2026

Government agencies and nonprofit organizations have begun stepping up to help Ouray County pay to protect homes and roads from flooding and mudslides in the aftermath of the Gold Mountain Fire. The O...

Feature

Ridgway-area homes featured on Home Trust tour

By Plaindealer Staff Report Plaindealer@ouraynews.com

July 29, 2026

An eclectic mix of Ridgway-area houses are on the Home Trust of Ouray County's tour this weekend, with homeowners opening their homes to participants to help raise funds for affordable housing. This y...

Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines