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Ouray childcare model a blueprint for others

The solution to the statewide childcare shortage might be here in Ouray County, where a blueprint for building childcare-ready affordable homes was dr...

May 13, 2026

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County tests: No mold problem in meeting rooms

Ouray County commissioner meeting rooms don’t have a mold problem, according to testing ordered after Commissioner Lynn Padgett said the facilities ca...

May 13, 2026

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Beefed-up alpine ranger program returns

Ouray County’s alpine ranger program is back and bigger this year with the help of a state grant.The public will see alpine rangers patrolling areas i...

May 13, 2026

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Two candidates vie for seat on San Miguel Power board

For the first time in more than a decade, there’s a contested election for the District 6 seat on the San Miguel Power Association board of directors,...

May 13, 2026

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Commissioners hedge on compensation requests

A Ouray County employee rescinded a request Tuesday to be paid for the hours she spent outside her regular work week helping run the 4-H Event Center ...

May 13, 2026

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Town to pilot zero-waste rules at concerts

The town of Ridgway's Sustainability Advisory Board will pilot “zero-waste” rules at the town’s summer concert series, while it continues to craft a b...

May 6, 2026

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Governor Basin cleanup project faces delays

A collaborative restoration project to clean up mine waste in Governor Basin dating back to 2018 remains on hold, while project partners continue to w...

May 6, 2026

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Evacuation drill an exercise not in futility

Sirens will wail and residents will likely see emergency vehicles headed through Ridgway, up County Road 5 on May 15. Traffic will filter back into to...

April 29, 2026

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Town mulls affordable housing mandate

The town of Ridgway will consider requiring developers to reserve 10% of units within market-rate residential projects as affordable housing for local...

April 29, 2026

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County raises 4-H use fees

Fees for using the Ouray County 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds are going up for the first time in more than a decade, with the aim of making the fac...

April 29, 2026

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Sweet sounds of summer

June 24, 2026

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County to pursue use tax

Likely ballot measure would raise money for roads, EMS

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

June 24, 2026

Ouray County voters likely will be asked this fall to approve a use tax on both new vehicle purchases and construction material purchases, with most of the tax dollars going to the county’s Road and B...

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Will fire authority ease insurance woes?

Experts say consolidation may not help homeowners gain, keep coverage

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 24, 2026

Home insurance experts say the proposed consolidation of fire and emergency services in Ouray County may not necessarily help homeowners gain and keep insurance coverage. Leaders of the possible conso...

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Celebration honors past, looks to future

Ranch History Museum marks 20th birthday Saturday with expansion preview

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 24, 2026

The Ouray County Ranch History Museum is celebrating its 20th birthday with a preview of what it wants to be when it grows up. During a celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 27, survey stakes and...

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Ridgway council seeks more efficient meetings

After recent heated tone, councilors emphasize preserving casual culture

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 24, 2026

Ridgway town councilors want to run meetings more efficiently while preserving the council’s casual culture. After trying out informal strategies to shorten the length of meetings, the council may con...

Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines