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City prepared to pay fees for housing project

The city of Ouray is set to provide up to $225,000 to a nonprofit organization to cover water and sewer tap and building permit fees for a 13-unit aff...

September 16, 2026

News

Businesses share struggles with senator

Ouray County business owners bent the ear of U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper on Friday, sharing stories of declining profits and mass cancellations in the...

September 2, 2026

News

Ouray won’t join fire authority

Council cites unanswered questions, concerns about consolidationA proposal to consolidate all of Ouray County’s fire departments and its emergency med...

August 19, 2026

News

County inches ahead with possible tax questions

Attorney: Must get buy-in from city, town to proceed with sales, use taxes Ouray County commissioners on Tuesday took another step toward putting two ...

August 12, 2026

Feature

‘She has taught me so much about bravery’

The way Jessica Toltzis sees it, Edie Windsor chose bravery: A gay civil rights campaigner who sued the United States government in her 80s for the ri...

August 12, 2026

News

‘We were in a panic’

Hank and Betsy Nicholson were watching TV at home the night of July 26 when the skies opened up and filled Dexter Creek with rainwater, mud and debris...

August 5, 2026

News

Riders scrutinize Ouray’s new shuttle service

The launch of a free shuttle in Ouray this summer is off to an uneven start, with riders and a shuttle driver pointing out shortcomings and questionin...

August 5, 2026

Feature

Equal parts romantic comedy, moral conflict, ‘Love’s Labors Lost’ takes stage in Ouray

Forty years after he wrote his senior thesis about “Love’s Labors Lost,” one of William Shakespeare’s seldom-seen, early comedies still resonates with...

July 29, 2026

Main

County eyes recovery funds

Federal program could offer nearly $3 million — if cash-poor leaders can find matching dollarsOuray County could receive nearly $3 million in federal ...

July 22, 2026

News

City reorganizes planning department

Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer is overhauling the city’s community development department, dividing responsibilities among a third-party co...

July 22, 2026

Local briefs: Ridgway appoints two to sustainability board, updates marshal overtime policy

Town seeks bike park design proposals, moves forward with pre-approved ADU plan designs

By James Hanlon

September 17, 2026

New members appointed to sustainability board The Ridgway Town Council appointed Terry Schuyler and Christiane Frischmuth to the Ridgway Sustainability Advisory Board after brief interviews at the Sep...

Main, News...

County: Layoffs likely

Commissioners, administrators warn of job cuts to close $1.5 million gap; staff criticizes leaders for not addressing problem earlier

By James Hanlon

September 16, 2026

Ouray County will likely need to lay off employees to make up a projected $1.5 million gap between requested expenses and revenue next year, county officials warned at a budget workshop on Sept. 9. Th...

Main, News...

Disaster tax not ‘backfill’ for fire costs, leaders say

By Chart Riggall

September 16, 2026

In the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s declaration of the Gold Mountain Fire as a major federal disaster, Ouray County commissioners say the potential influx of additional federal funds doesn't ...

News

Town considers options for sewer plant location

By James Hanlon

September 16, 2026

The Ridgway Town Council wants to see some dollar estimates before deciding where to build a new wastewater treatment plant. Town staff briefed the council on three possible locations north of town at...

News

Owl Creek Pass, Silver Jack Reservoir areas reopen after fire

Gold Mountain Fire closure area reduced

By Plaindealer Staff

September 16, 2026

The closure area associated with the Gold Mountain Fire was reduced on Tuesday, reopening several roads and recreation areas in time for fall color season. The reopened areas include Owl Creek Pass, S...

Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines