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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

News

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

News

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

Main, News

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

News

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

News

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

Main, News

Padgett sails to victory

Ouray County Commissioner Lynn Padgett easily won re-election Tuesday night, defeating Republican challenger Michael Perkovich to retain the District ...

November 6, 2024

News

Gravel operation plans crushed

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to accurately name resident Curtis Cockrum and the comments made by Trisha Oakland. A proposed gravel cru...

November 6, 2024

Main, News

Long lost llamas recovered

It’s homecoming season for two llamas, who went missing back in July along the high crests of the West Fork of the Cimarron. The condition of Clavio a...

November 1, 2024

News

Plans proceed for Colona-area water plant

Plans for a 6 million gallon-per-day water treatment facility off of U.S Highway 550 near Colona now await final approval from the Ouray County Board ...

October 30, 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