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Ouray fire chief seeks full-time role, pay

Ouray Volunteer Fire Department Chief Adam Kunz is seeking a full-time salary, saying the role is consuming more of his time due to increased call vol...

October 22, 2025

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EMS chief pushes to hire more staff

Ouray County Emergency Medical Services Chief Nate McCullough wants to figure out how the county’s emergency and fire services can come together to hi...

October 22, 2025

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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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Welcome to the snow-deo

January 14, 2026

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Public: Rebuild Ouray PD

Residents seek retention of independent agency after departure of interim chief

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

January 14, 2026

Ouray residents sent a clear message this week: They want to maintain an independent police department instead of permanently relying on the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement. Faced wi...

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Tax questions linger as lodge proceeds with housing plans

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 14, 2026

MTN Lodge in Ridgway is moving forward with plans to convert the hotel to workforce housing for four years starting in February, though the town has yet to cement an agreement with the owners about pa...

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County OKs permit for guest ranch

Stipulations require Gold Mountain to account for bighorn sheep

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

January 14, 2026

Gold Mountain Ranch will be allowed to operate a guest ranch in Ouray County, and county commissioners hope the special-use permit they approved in December will allay community concerns about wildlif...

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EV charging station approved for 4-H Center

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 14, 2026

A high-speed electric vehicle charging station is coming to the Ouray County 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds parking lot as early as July. During a regular meeting Tuesday, county commissioners unani...

Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines