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Mihelarakis advocates for creatives in first bid for office

Tia Mihelarakis believes the Ridgway Town Council deserves a leader with new perspectives — specifically those of creatives, renters and the younger g...

March 18, 2026

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Grambley seeks to foster economy, culture

Kevin Grambley believes being a Ridgway town councilor means supporting initiatives around music, art and other “everyday joys” the town can offer, as...

March 18, 2026

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Greenwood touts knack for learning, open-mindedness

Trish Greenwood isn’t gunning for a seat on the Ridgway Town Council with an agenda — she’s looking to learn and participate now that she’s retiring a...

March 18, 2026

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Counties: ‘Mega projects’ should pay their way

Leaders from Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties say they want developers of “mega projects” in the region to pay for collateral impacts to their ...

March 18, 2026

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Ouray housing project scores federal funding

The Waterview Homes affordable housing project will receive $1.46 million in federal funding to begin a second phase of development, but it's unclear ...

March 11, 2026

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County venue to hire manager

Ouray County commissioners will hire a salaried manager for the 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds, rather than an incentive-based position as previousl...

March 11, 2026

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Survey to gauge health care needs, barriers

Community members can help reshape how health care works in Ouray County by completing a new survey focused on what’s working and what could be done b...

March 11, 2026

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County to hire finance director, not deputy manager

Ouray County commissioners approved hiring a new finance director, rather than a new deputy county manager, during a regular meeting Tuesday.The posit...

March 11, 2026

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A dilemma 25 years in the making

The dilemma of how to manage, finance and use the Ouray County 4-H Event Center is coming full circle, reflecting conversations that happened more tha...

March 4, 2026

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County launches inaugural wellness fair

For those seeking resources for addiction or other mental health issues, or simply to improve overall wellness, Ouray County’s first Wellnesspalooza b...

March 4, 2026

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City to keep police department

Ouray to retain on-call model, offer raises to officers, while sheriff leads hiring, training efforts

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

May 20, 2026

The city of Ouray will retain and rebuild its own independent police department but rely on Ouray County Sheriff Justin Perry to lead the hiring and training of its officers until a new police chief c...

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Runners go the distance to claim state titles

Ridgway's Hessler, Ouray's Skoloda win 3200-meter races; Demon girls finish second

By By Bernie Pearce Special to the Plaindealer

May 20, 2026

LAKEWOOD — Both runners had established new personal bests and school records during the regular season. Both entered the state track and field championship ranked No. 1 in their respective classifica...

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Ouray County EMS to raise fees

Charges for treatment, transport to increase for first time since 2018

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

May 20, 2026

Ouray County commissioners plan to raise fees for treatment and ambulance transports from Ouray County Emergency Medical Services starting in June. Commissioners reviewed proposed fee increases prepar...

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Mass evacuation exercise tests county’s preparedness

Half-day event features volunteers feigning injuries, refusing to leave and generally creating chaos — in the name of training for a real emergency

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

May 20, 2026

At 9:28 a.m., Amy Clewell and her two pretend siblings gathered in her driveway in Elk Meadows, debating whether it was time to call for help. They watched a stream of law enforcement vehicles and fir...

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Citizens organized against councilor

At least 14 people sent letters to council urging vote against Gulde appointment

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

May 20, 2026

Former Ouray City Councilor Tamara Gulde ran into an organized effort to keep her from returning to public office earlier this year after she lost the November race for mayor, then sought to fill a va...

Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines