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By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer

‘I want to see them get to the most terrifying part of the climb … and see them complete it’
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
Young Ridgway squad marked by stifling defense
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
New era launches for Ouray basketball
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
Ridgway girls run down state title
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
On the course, they’re competitors. On weekends, they’re training partners
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
As fall championships approach, a look back at memorable moments for Ridgway, Ouray
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
Young Ouray volleyball squad showing progress
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
Run, don’t walk: How a Ridgway athlete is improving dramatically
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
New Ouray athletics director seeks to build attendance, program support
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
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Editor Picks
New county manager seeks to lead with heart
Main, News...
New county manager seeks to lead with heart
After careers in big cities and large governments, Antonio Mendez is shifting his perspective
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 4, 2026
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, or possibly ever. Ouray County’s new manager grew ...
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City leader pulls police from patrol duty
Main, News...
City leader pulls police from patrol duty
Administrator cites concerns about training, liability; sheriff's office assumes full control of services in Ouray
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
February 4, 2026
Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer has pulled the police department’s two remaining officers off of patrol duty and reassigned them to administrative tasks, citing concerns about liability and ...
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News
County considers asking voters for tax hike in November
Staff to research potential funding measures for EMS, road and bridge; sheriff won't seek question this fall
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 4, 2026
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’s Emergency Medical Services and the Road and Brid...
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News
Ridgway gets initial OK for $1.34M grant
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 4, 2026
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 electrify municipal operations, to lower its carbon footp...
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Good for you! Uncompahgre STEAM Fair
Feature
Good for you! Uncompahgre STEAM Fair
February 4, 2026
The “Good For You!” page is a place for reader-submitted photos illustrating community, celebrations and more. Want to submit a photo for publication? Here are some guidelines for submissions: - This ...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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