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Water costs increase for county irrigators

The cost of leasing backup water to support Ouray County irrigators is increasing this year, as the Tri-County Water Conservancy District is charging ...

October 15, 2025

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Wildfire panel focuses on insurance issues

Wildfires are one natural disaster communities can exercise some control over.And the hope is that soon homeowners will not only have control over mit...

October 15, 2025

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In budget crunch, county may revive hiring policy

Ouray County leaders plan to revive a policy that would allow county commissioners to reconsider hiring new employees to fill vacant roles, as alarm o...

October 15, 2025

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Hiring freeze, no pay raises for county

Ouray County plans to enact a hiring freeze and eliminate raises, including cost-of-living adjustments, to help balance its 2026 budget. After a nearl...

October 8, 2025

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Ridgway bans artificial turf for most new projects

The Ridgway Town Council has approved new landscaping rules that ban artificial turf for non-recreational uses, including residential properties.The r...

October 8, 2025

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State to speed up some safety upgrades on Highway 550

The Colorado Department of Transportation will expedite a shoulder-widening project on U.S. Highway 550 and potential interim safety measures along th...

October 1, 2025

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New to wildfire science, nonprofit director boasts experience in leadership, planning

Tim Pinnow's resume might not immediately lead someone to think about forestry or fire mitigation. But what you will find is evidence of a career spen...

October 1, 2025

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District attorney seeks 35% hike in budget, mostly for payroll

Just a year after the Seventh Judicial District Attorney’s Office asked Ouray County for a 13% budget increase, the office is seeking to nearly triple...

October 1, 2025

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Hurd mum on reservoir transfer

U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd is remaining mum on whether he will support a bill that would transfer Crystal Reservoir from the U.S. Forest Service to the city ...

September 24, 2025

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Prairie dog mitigation to proceed

Top of the Pines will hire a contractor to lethally fumigate a portion of its prairie dog population, despite adopting a management plan prioritizing ...

September 24, 2025

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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