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Postal Service probing locked boxes in Ridgway

The U.S. Postal Service is addressing complaints from Ridgway residents who had their post office boxes at the Ridgway Post Office locked without noti...

September 24, 2025

News

County names trio of manager finalists

Ouray County commissioners have selected three finalists for the county manager vacancy, a step toward ensuring they will usher in new, permanent coun...

September 24, 2025

News

Ridgway fire chief gets raise

Ridgway Fire Chief Chris Miller will receive a 14% salary increase and be paid a $95,000 salary for 2025 retroactively, after the Ridgway Fire Protect...

September 24, 2025

News

Congressman focuses on free speech, health care during telephone town hall

U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd defended First and Second Amendment rights and components of President Donald Trump’s signature budget bill including changes to h...

September 24, 2025

News

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

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A visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus

December 10, 2025

Main, News...

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...

Main, News...

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 ...

News

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...

News

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