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The city of Ouray terminated the sole employee of its police department and turned over its police services to the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office on Tu...

October 21, 2026

Main, News

County OKs police deal

Ouray County commissioners approved a revised contract Tuesday that would make the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office the full-time provider of police serv...

October 14, 2026

Main, News

City, county near pact on police services

Ouray County and the city of Ouray are hammering out the details of an agreement that would enlist the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office to provide full l...

October 7, 2026

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City eyes legal action on sewer plant

The city of Ouray has taken the first step toward seeking a legal remedy for its troubled wastewater treatment plant, filing notices of claims with fo...

September 30, 2026

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City ready to cut losses with building

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...

September 23, 2026

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Ouray to evaluate cost of fixing bathhouse

The city of Ouray will spend up to $85,000 to evaluate the condition of the Ouray Hot Springs Pool bathhouse and determine what it would cost to remod...

September 23, 2026

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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

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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

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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

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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

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‘This is the challenge that I needed in my life’

Ouray Ice Park's new executive director trims staff, seeks more buy-in from recreational climbers amid financial crunch

By Chart Riggall

October 21, 2026

In the waning weeks of the 2019 ice climbing season, a 27-year-old Tres Barbatelli stood at the bottom of the Uncompahgre Gorge wondering what he’d just done. Minutes before, he’d rappelled down into ...

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Paramedic fired after three months’ leave

Commissioners pause refilling second EMS vacancy

By James Hanlon

October 21, 2026

A paramedic for Ouray County Emergency Medical Services, who has been on administrative leave since the Gold Mountain Fire, was fired last week after a meeting with county administration went awry. Jo...

News

County wraps up draft budget without layoffs

Initial plan leaves five positions vacant, reduces some departmental hours

By James Hanlon

October 21, 2026

Ouray County’s draft budget for next year proposes five staff reductions from general fund departments – all of which are currently vacant positions. The positions are from administration, the assesso...

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Veteran transport program approved

October 21, 2026

After resolving concerns about an intergovernmental agreement with San Miguel County, Ouray County commissioners approved a new partnership last week that will transport veterans to medical appointmen...

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Watershed protection project extended

October 21, 2026

The Emergency Watershed Protection project to mitigate debris flows below the Gold Mountain Fire burn area has received a 45-day extension with a new completion date of Nov. 17. Most construction is s...

Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines