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Cemetery, fire districts seek tax increases

Two taxing districts in Ouray County are asking for mill levy increases in November for the first time since they were created. The Cedar Hill Cemeter...

September 24, 2025

Feature

New floral studio blooms in Ridgway

Kristina Lemon began buying flowers for herself each week about three years ago. It became an act of self-care and something she’d been doing for othe...

September 24, 2025

Feature

East meets West at Ridgway practice

Though she studied it for years, Sam Willits still considers acupuncture magic. She’s seen it solve sleep issues and digestive problems, chronic pain ...

September 24, 2025

News

County looks to curb 2026 budget

After years of growth, Ouray County leaders are working together to find ways to rein in or hold costs steady in 2026.During a special work session Tu...

September 17, 2025

News

Ridgway may expand wildland fire operations

The Ridgway Fire Protection District is looking to expand its wildland firefighting capabilities by hiring two new positions and buying a new, top-tie...

September 17, 2025

News

County’s first safety fair this weekend

Witness airbags explode, a medical helicopter landing and how to drive an excavator — all without harm or injury at Ouray County’s first safety fair o...

September 17, 2025

News

For Ouray, public works, public safety, pool at forefront of 2026 budget

Ouray city leaders are prepared to spend millions of dollars on capital construction projects in 2026, including proposed improvements at the Ouray Ho...

September 17, 2025

Main, News

Ridgway hotel to convert to housing

Ridgway’s largest hotel plans to convert to construction and hotel workforce housing for a new Four Seasons development in Mountain Village for at lea...

September 10, 2025

News

With federal funds in limbo, Ouray seeks options to reduce wildfire danger

Ouray city leaders are exploring other ways to address dead, fallen trees littering neighborhoods and hillsides now that it's unclear when a large-sca...

September 10, 2025

News

City to hear public input on wayfinding sign solutions

The Ouray City Council will hold a work session Monday to discuss possible solutions to concerns raised by residents and business owners about new way...

September 10, 2025

Main, News...

Ridgway to grow capacity to fight wildland fires

Additional staff, engine can enhance skills, create more revenue

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

December 3, 2025

Ridgway’s wildland firefighters have mopped up hotspots in Nevada, fought wildfire on the front lines in California and protected structures at home in Colorado. Since the Ridgway Fire Protection Dist...

Main, News...

County chops event center operations to aid budget

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

December 3, 2025

Ouray County is performing triage on its 2026 budget as 2025 revenues are coming in lower than expected, placing even more pressure on the county’s general fund savings. County leaders have been worki...

News

New council’s first task: Fill vacancies

After soliciting applications, councilors to interview, pick appointments Jan. 5

December 3, 2025

Ouray city leaders swore in a new mayor and city councilor Monday night, then turned their attention to the council’s most pressing issue: Finding and appointing two more councilors to fill out the ra...

News

Slow start to snow season

Wave of storms helps, but snowpack in San Juans well below normal

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

December 3, 2025

A series of post-Thanksgiving storms delivered desperately needed snow to the moisture-starved San Juans, but snowpack at the start of December remains well below average in Ouray County and the surro...

News

SEASON OF SHARING

Ridgway Ouray Community Council

December 3, 2025

Editor's note: The Ouray County Plaindealer is continuing its tradition of featuring nonprofit organizations based in Ouray County, serving Ouray County in a series of profiles called Season of Sharin...

Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines