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City reroutes funds to pay for pedestrian crosswalk project

Ouray city councilors voted last week to redirect funds originally designated for wayfinding signs to build two crosswalks on either side of town, whi...

February 25, 2026

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Bills to give reservoir to Ouray debut in Congress

U.S. House and Senate bills to transfer ownership of Crystal Reservoir from the U.S. Forest Service to the city of Ouray made it to subcommittee heari...

February 18, 2026

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County spurns prairie dog control request

Ouray County leaders last week snuffed a resident’s request to require property owners to control prairie dogs, citing a legal inability and unwilling...

February 18, 2026

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Incentives may factor into 4-H Center hire

Ouray County commissioners may hire a 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds manager who would be paid based on how many events are held at the venue.Commis...

February 18, 2026

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EMS plans to shift staff, save costs

Ouray County Emergency Medical Services wants to implement a new staffing structure this spring to save costs and prepare for a combined fire and emer...

February 11, 2026

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Formerly a cash cow, bloom wilts on cannabis

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Michael Cox is the former general manager for Dalwhinnie Group, the landlord for Dalwhinn...

February 11, 2026

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New county manager seeks to lead with heart

Ouray County is unlike most places Antonio Mendez has lived or worked before, and Mendez brings experience unlike the county has seen in two decades, ...

February 4, 2026

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County considers asking voters for tax hike in November

Ouray County leaders want to research and poll the public’s appetite for asking voters for more tax revenue, to raise additional money for the county’...

February 4, 2026

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Ridgway gets initial OK for $1.34M grant

Ridgway has received initial approval for a $1.34 million grant to help it explore an all-electric building code for new construction and help electri...

February 4, 2026

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County eyes budget cuts

Manager: Looking for ways to avoid cutting employeesOuray County leaders have loosely settled on wanting to cut $500,000 from the county’s 2026 budget...

January 28, 2026

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Some evacuated areas will reopen to residents Wednesday

By erin@ouraynews.com

July 7, 2026

The Ouray County sheriff is allowing some residents to return to their homes in evacuated areas starting Wednesday morning. The sheriff's office approved re-entry for credentialed residents who live i...

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Wildlife displaced by fire, residents can help by providing water for animals

Commissioners to discuss emergency plans for flooding

By James Hanlon, Special to the Plaindealer

July 7, 2026

Wildlife escaping the Gold Mountain Fire are moving closer to town, prompting state wildlife officials to advise the public on how they can simultaneously help animals and give them the space they nee...

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Evacuees can obtain credentials for re-entry of fire zone

Timeline unclear for return to homes in evacuated area

By Deb Hurley Brobst

July 6, 2026

Evacuees of the Gold Mountain Fire — who have been displaced for more than a week — hope they will return to their homes soon, are thankful for the firefighters working tirelessly to quell the flames ...

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Forest closure expands as fire makes another big run

By Mike

July 2, 2026

The U.S. Forest Service this afternoon expanded the closure area in the Uncompahgre National Forest east of Ridgway, as the Gold Mountain Fire makes another big run. The original closure largely encom...

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Water providers ask customers to conserve

By erin@ouraynews.com

July 2, 2026

Water managers are asking residents to avoid excessive water use and putting more demand on their distribution system. Ridgway Mayor John Clark announced during a Ouray County Board of County Commissi...

Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines