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A Denver graphic design firm really wants to finish what it started and complete the design for signs to be installed at two Ouray parks.The Ouray Cit...

May 7, 2025

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Signed, sealed, retired

On any other day — except Sunday, of course — they would flood her counter, a constant stream of people entrusting her with greeting cards for loved o...

April 30, 2025

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City, library expansion plans could conflict

The Ouray Library District’s plans to build a rooftop deck as part of a broader facility expansion could conflict with the city of Ouray’s own facilit...

April 30, 2025

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Ouray police exodus continues

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect the Ridgway Marshal's Office has hired a half-time deputy. ___________________ The city of Our...

April 23, 2025

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Man accused of drunken driving, spitting on deputy

A Ridgway man suspected of hitting a liquor store building with his vehicle, driving drunk and leaving the scene also faces possible felony charges fo...

April 23, 2025

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Ouray council backs rental license nonrenewal

A Ridgway couple who failed to rent their home for at least 30 days in the last year won't be allowed to keep their short-term rental license.Ouray ci...

April 23, 2025

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City wades into mobile home deed restrictions

Ouray city councilors are beginning to sort through a package of deed restrictions intended to maintain Swiss Village Mobile Home Park as affordable h...

April 16, 2025

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Ouray man suspected of vandalizing restaurant

A Ouray man was arrested last weekend after he allegedly broke out a window at the Outlaw Restaurant.William Kropuenske, 33, was booked into the Montr...

April 16, 2025

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Ouray’s new top cop promises integrity, accountability and transparency

For more than a year, Ouray’s search for a police officer proved fruitless, yielding only the same copy-and-paste monthly update to the City Council —...

April 9, 2025

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City buys property for police, housing

The Ouray City Council signed off Monday night on the purchase of a two-story building across the street from City Hall, with the intent of converting...

April 9, 2025

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Firefighters gain ground

Sheriff allows some evacuees to return home; blaze shifts away from populated areas

By By Mike Wiggins, Erin McIntyre and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

July 8, 2026

Residents forced to flee the Gold Mountain Fire north of Ouray nearly two weeks ago returned to charred landscapes but fully intact homes Wednesday, an indication that authorities believe the threat h...

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Despite fire, downsized Fourth celebration marches on

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

July 8, 2026

A scaled-back Fourth of July celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States and 150th birthday of Ouray attracted thousands to the city, despite the cancellation of fireworks, water fights and...

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First fire, then floods? Leaders start planning for next potential emergency

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

July 8, 2026

Even though the Gold Mountain Fire is still burning, Ouray County officials are already thinking about flash flood risks in the burn scar as Colorado moves into monsoon season. “This is a predictable ...

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Fire pushes stressed wildlife into urban areas

By By James Hanlon Special to the Plaindealer

July 8, 2026

Wildlife escaping the Gold Mountain Fire are moving closer to town, prompting state wildlife officials to advise the public on how they can simultaneously help and give animals the space they need. Wi...

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Water providers ask customers to pull back

Ridgway enacts mandatory irrigation restrictions

By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

July 8, 2026

Water managers in Ouray County are asking residents to curtail water use and avoid putting more demand on their distribution systems in light of the Gold Mountain Fire and ongoing tinder-dry condition...

Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines