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

Main, News...

Blood moon rising

March 4, 2026

Main, News...

City: No to more remote governance

Ouray council rejects member's request to attend more meetings from afar

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

March 4, 2026

The Ouray City Council on Monday unanimously rejected a councilor’s request for greater leeway to participate in council meetings remotely, agreeing it’s vital for elected officials to face constituen...

Main, News...

4-H EVENT CENTER

A dilemma 25 years in the making

Commissioners determined to improve fiscal health of facility plagued by management, use questions since its donation

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

March 4, 2026

The dilemma of how to manage, finance and use the Ouray County 4-H Event Center is coming full circle, reflecting conversations that happened more than 25 years ago when the facility was donated to th...

News

Pool house design draws varied reactions

Residents alternately praise, pan contemporary appearance, debate proposed community space

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

March 4, 2026

Ouray County residents peppered architects and Ouray parks and recreation officials with questions and feedback about a proposed new pool house at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, revealing a broad spectru...

News

Rural teens, caregivers sought to participate in suicide risk study

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

March 4, 2026

Editor's note: This story talks about topics related to suicide. If you or anyone else needs resources, please call or text 988 or visit 988colorado.com. For Dr. Maya Haasz, it didn’t feel right to us...

By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines