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Feature

There’s one word Matthew Beyer keeps coming back to when he talks about Colorado Boy. Community. The brew pub that has anchored downtown Ridgway for 1...

February 26, 2025

News

Tax revenue strong for Ouray in 2024

It wasn’t record-breaking, but the city of Ouray closed out another year of strong sales tax collections in 2024. The city pulled in just shy of $3.06...

February 26, 2025

Main

Outfitter settles wildfire claims

A San Miguel County hunting outfitter will pay the U.S. Forest Service $500,000 to resolve allegations it was liable for a 2019 wildfire east of Ridgw...

February 19, 2025

News

In Ouray, the thin blue line could narrow even further

The ranks of the Ouray Police Department, frayed by a delay in hiring a new police chief and an inability to find another police officer, appear to be...

February 19, 2025

News

Judge: Teen to be tried as adult due to severity, impact of alleged sex assault

A judge who ruled that a teenager will stand trial as an adult for alleged sex assault at the former Ouray police chief nearly two years ago largely b...

February 19, 2025

News

Board awards $4M contract for athletic field

The Ridgway School Board agreed Tuesday night to award a nearly $4 million contract to a Grand Junction construction company to build a new multipurpo...

February 12, 2025

Feature

A TOAST TO WINTER IN OURAY

There are wine festivals where tasters are herded like cattle, where swollen crowds jostle for space, where there’s no time or ability to visit with w...

February 12, 2025

Main, News

CREATING SPACES FOR OTHERS

Long after the early winter sun dipped behind Twin Peaks, after he filled the daylight hours contemplating grant applications and reviewing plans spre...

February 5, 2025

Feature

Ice climbing’s next generation ascends to Ouray this weekend

For the first time, the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation Ice Climbing World Youth Championships will be held in the United States ...

February 5, 2025

Main, News

Search for police chief starts over

If the city of Ouray’s search for a new police chief mirrored the career arc of a law enforcement officer, it would be back at the training academy.Se...

January 29, 2025

Main, News...

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...

Main, News...

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...

News

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 ...

News

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...

News

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