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News

Athletic field halfway to fundraising goal

When Ridgway Secondary School students returned to class last week, they did so once again without a soccer field outside the back door of the school ...

September 4, 2024

News

Ouray to use ex-administrator as consultant

Silas Clarke left his job as the Ouray city administrator this week, but he will consult city leaders on certain issues through the end of this year. ...

September 4, 2024

Main, News

FULFILLING PAT’S DREAM

Pat O’Leary isn’t here. But his spirit, his fingerprints, are everywhere at the corner of North Lena and Clinton streets in Ridgway. The grand piano i...

August 28, 2024

News

Ouray public works director named acting administrator

Ouray Public Works Director Joe Coleman will serve as the acting city administrator while the City Council searches for a permanent replacement for ou...

August 21, 2024

News

Citizens criticize plan to spend $300K on new signs

A plan to spend roughly $300,000 to build and install 22 signs directing visitors and residents to various landmarks around Ouray drew objections this...

August 21, 2024

News

Perkovich continues to outraise, outspend Padgett

Republican candidate Michael Perkovich continues to outraise and outspend Democrat incumbent Lynn Padgett in the race for the District 1 seat on the O...

August 21, 2024

Main, News

Residents mobilize to save Ouray mobile home park

When the chips are down, Paula Damke isn’t one for sitting by idly. The news that broke in early June that the Swiss Village Mobile Home Park in Ouray...

July 31, 2024

Main, News

Ouray leader finalist in Telluride

Outgoing Ouray City Administrator Silas Clarke is a finalist for the Telluride town manager job.Telluride town officials announced Tuesday Clarke is o...

July 31, 2024

Main

Unaffiliated candidate withdraws

Unaffiliated Ouray County commissioner candidate Jacob Torrey is dropping out of the District 1 race, leaving voters to choose between Democrat incumb...

July 24, 2024

Feature

‘Dragon Play’ blends magic, realism at Sherbino Theater

Productions about love and relationships are as old as theater itself. But add the mythical element of dragons, a dash of magic and a storyline that j...

July 24, 2024

Main, News...

NEIGHBORS AND HELPERS

EYES ON THE SKY

Daily dedication of Ouray County's weather observers helps sustain decades of data, inform region's climate history

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

September 4, 2024

Every morning, Karen Risch drinks a cup of coffee, puts on a sun, rain or snow hat and heads to her yard. She checks eight different instruments to collect weather data: gathering temperature highs an...

Main

Ex-police chief to sue Ouray

Wood alleges city violated free speech, due process rights

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

September 4, 2024

Former Ouray Police Chief Jeff Wood plans to sue the city of Ouray, alleging city leaders violated Wood’s constitutional rights when then-City Administrator Silas Clarke fired Wood in June. In a notic...

News

Planning commissioners debate Ridgway’s land-use needs

State, real estate professionals disagree about town's projected growth

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

September 4, 2024

The Ridgway Planning Commission is envisioning what the town should look like in the future. The commission is looking at the economic implications of Ridgway’s land use mix: housing that is sorely ne...

News

Developers required to remove road

Luxury housing builders revegetating area where unpermitted road ran parallel to CR5

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

September 4, 2024

Nearly a year after developers built unpermitted roads and driveways including a road running parallel to County Road 5, Ouray County leaders said they must remove that road, revegetate the area and b...

News

Ridgway may loosen regs for accessory units

Town Council to take up ordinance aimed at creating more affordable housing onSept. 11

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

September 4, 2024

Regulations for accessory dwelling units in Ridgway may become looser after the Planning Commission recommended changes to the town’s ordinance. If the Ridgway Town Council approves the ordinance at i...

Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines