Author - News

Feature

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...

‘There’s not a day where I don’t do something impactful’

Community paramedicine brings vital care to mountain, rural places

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

November 19, 2025

Editor’s note: There’s a proposal to start a community paramedicine program here in Ouray County, and we wanted to know more about how these kinds of services work in other places in Colorado where th...

Main, News...

Commissioner: ‘My patience is gone’

Claiming continued poor behavior, Nauer asks Padgett to take 'timeout,' attend meetings remotely

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

November 19, 2025

Ouray County Commissioner Michelle Nauer has asked Commissioner Lynn Padgett to take a "timeout" and attend meetings by Zoom while the county makes leadership transitions over the next few months, cit...

News

Police chief, sheriff urge Ouray council to rethink strict response time policy

Councilors table plan requiring officers to live within 10 miles of city after concern from leaders

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

November 19, 2025

The Ouray City Council on Monday pitched and then quickly ditched a proposal to require police officers to live within 10 miles and a 10-minute drive from the city after local law enforcement and city...

News

SMPA approves rate increases

Monthly base, peak energy charges to rise in 2026 as electric cooperative prepares for escalating wholesale power costs

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

November 19, 2025

The San Miguel Power Association board of directors on Tuesday approved dual rate increases in 2026 for the second year in a row, as the rural electric cooperative continues to grapple with higher who...

News

Ridgway hires North Carolina agency for tourism, marketing

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

November 19, 2025

The town of Ridgway has hired a North Carolina-based agency for its tourism and marketing services, choosing an outside perspective familiar with rural communities. During a Nov. 12 town council meeti...

By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines