Author - News

Columns, Feature

‘I want to see them get to the most terrifying part of the climb … and see them complete it’

Ridgway coach Jonny Zaugg dedicated to helping young c limbers of all skill levels When Jonny Zaugg returned to Ridgway several years ago, he saw an o...

December 31, 2025

Columns, Feature

Young Ridgway squad marked by stifling defense

Certain career milestones set apart high school basketball players, the most well-known being 1,000 points. But on the defensive end, there’s an equiv...

December 10, 2025

Columns, Feature

New era launches for Ouray basketball

Before the Thanksgiving holiday, Ouray High School hosted its “Meet the Trojans” night, akin to a college's Midnight Madness event to celebrate the st...

December 3, 2025

Feature

Ridgway girls run down state title

There isn’t a perfect translation for “hill” in Chinese. That's something Natasha Hessler discovered when she arrived at the famous creek crossing dur...

November 5, 2025

Columns, Feature

On the course, they’re competitors. On weekends, they’re training partners

Separately, the Ridgway, Ouray and Telluride High School cross country teams are among the smallest in the state. Each is successful in their own righ...

October 29, 2025

Columns, Feature

As fall championships approach, a look back at memorable moments for Ridgway, Ouray

In my career as a journalist, I’ve covered dozens of state championship games and events. At this point, it might even be in the triple digits — and t...

October 22, 2025

Columns, Feature

Young Ouray volleyball squad showing progress

The second win of the season is rarely cause for celebration. But when the Ouray High School volleyball team defeated Pinnacle 25-18, 25-18, 20-25, 26...

October 15, 2025

Columns, Feature

Run, don’t walk: How a Ridgway athlete is improving dramatically

Orion Catron first ran because he really, really didn’t want to walk. As a freshman at Ridgway High School, he wasn’t connecting with classmates or pu...

October 8, 2025

Columns, Feature

New Ouray athletics director seeks to build attendance, program support

Like many with remote positions, Leah Klempner and her husband explored the country through their travels. They made their way to Ouray in 2020 and im...

September 24, 2025

Columns, Feature

Soccer aims to build on successful season

A longtime goal for the Ridgway High School girls’ soccer program was to make it to the second round of the state playoffs, travel to the Front Range ...

May 28, 2025

Main, News...

Popular trail needs new steward

Uncompahgre Riverway Trail founder, longtime volunteer ready to step down

By James Hanlon

September 23, 2026

Chip Marlow, the man who spearheaded the construction of the Uncompahgre Riverway Trail from Ridgway to Ridgway State Park, has maintained the multiuse path largely by himself for many years. Now 80 y...

Main, News...

‘Super El Niño’ won’t be savior for West Slope

Officials: Warming Pacific temps may bring more snow but won't wipe out drought or fill reservoirs

By Chart Riggall

September 23, 2026

GRAND JUNCTION — Amid a stream of bad news for Western Slope water stakeholders last week, Russ Schumacher had the pleasure of opening the sluice. Nearly on the far side of the state’s worst drought y...

Main, News...

Judge to hotel: End workforce housing

Injunction prohibits MTN Lodge from housing resort construction workers

By James Hanlon

September 23, 2026

A district court judge has ordered Ridgway's largest hotel to stop housing construction workers who are building a new Four Seasons in Mountain Village. In a preliminary injunction filed Sept. 16, the...

Main, News...

Investigators close case on mine shaft death

Nearly a year later, authorities conclude Ridgway resident Jennifer Nelson accidentally drowned

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

September 23, 2026

Eleven months after rescue volunteers found Jennifer Nelson's body in a water-filled mine shaft on Red Mountain Pass, investigators are left wondering what her final moments looked like. Their case, w...

News

City ready to cut losses with building

More than a year after purchase, council tells staff to sell empty Sixth Avenue property for reduced price

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

September 23, 2026

When the two-story building across the street from Ouray City Hall went up for sale last spring, Ouray city leaders scrambled to buy it, envisioning a top-tobottom renovation culminating in a new, lar...

By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines