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Ouray eyes affordable housing incentives

Ouray city officials are considering adding incentives to the city’s land use code to encourage the development of more affordable housing.Community D...

July 24, 2024

News

Sales tax inches up in May

Ouray began the busy summer tourism season just as it has each year in the wake of the pandemic — on very solid financial footing.The city pulled in $...

July 24, 2024

News

City administrator resigns

Ouray City Administrator Silas Clarke will leave his position sometime in the coming weeks, bringing an end to a tenure in which he spearheaded the in...

July 17, 2024

News

Ouray OKs affordable apartment complex

The Ouray City Council gave the green light Monday night to a proposal to build a 13-unit affordable housing apartment complex, despite misgivings fro...

July 17, 2024

News

Audit: Ouray police in ‘crisis’

Concluding the Ouray Police Department is in a “crisis situation,” a consultant recommends investing in additional police employees to help carry the ...

July 10, 2024

News

Big changes emerged from last police audit

Ouray city leaders are just beginning to digest the results of a top-to-bottom audit of the Ouray Police Department and its management, so it remains ...

July 10, 2024

News

Ouray launches search for next police chief

The search for Ouray’s next police chief is under way. One week after Police Chief Jeff Wood was fired, the City Council unanimously agreed Monday nig...

July 3, 2024

News

Lawyers negotiating possible plea in assault case

Attorneys are engaged in plea negotiations in the case of a Ridgway man accused of sexually assaulting a woman nearly six years after he was acquitted...

June 26, 2024

Feature

Coffee shop, tavern invite you to sip and stay

When Eliot Vancil is on the road, there are a few things he’s looking for at his hotel. He wants a place where he can wrap his hands around a cup of c...

June 26, 2024

News

Sales tax revenue flat in April

Revenue from sales tax activity in Ouray in April was flat compared to last year, as the city remains on solid financial footing heading into the busi...

June 26, 2024

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Ridgway girls cross country team nabs state title

By Plaindealer Staff Report

November 1, 2025

The Ridgway High School girls’ cross country team is bringing a state title back to the San Juans. The six-person team won the Class 2A state title Saturday afternoon in Colorado Springs, capping a te...

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Food assistance benefits dry up

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

October 29, 2025

An estimated $51,000 in federal food benefits will no longer be available to 170 Ouray County households starting Friday. The monthlong federal government shutdown without Congressional appropriations...

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Mine shaft wasn’t identified as hazard

State vows to secure opening quickly following Ridgway woman's death

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

October 29, 2025

A dangerous, water-filled mine shaft where a woman's body was found last week had not yet been identified for closure by state officials charged with securing hazardous mine openings. Though the state...

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Pushback against wolves grows

Ranchers oppose release in county; feds seek to block state

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

October 29, 2025

The Ouray County Cattlemen’s Association has objected to releasing wolves in the county, amid other efforts potentially complicating or stifling wolf reintroduction in the region this winter. A letter...

News

Council nixes alcohol at hot springs

Ouray parks director had suggested limited sales at special events next year to generate revenue

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

October 29, 2025

The Ouray City Council rejected a proposal Monday to sell alcohol at three special events at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool next year, concluding the costs and risks outweigh the potential revenue. Parks ...

Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines