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The city of Ouray is expected to take charge of the operations of the Ouray Via Ferrata within the next year, overseeing an outdoor attraction that ha...

January 22, 2025

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Choice for Ouray police chief narrows to pair

The search for Ouray’s new police chief has narrowed to two candidates whose careers have placed them in the closest proximity to the city. With input...

January 22, 2025

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An adventurer of ‘considerable abilities’

It was a workout day for Don Moden Jr. For the 57-year-old Ridgway athlete and adventurer, that could take many forms — a gravel bike ride along Count...

January 15, 2025

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Ridgway man killed in avalanche

A Ridgway man was killed Tuesday after being caught in an avalanche while backcountry skiing near Red Mountain Pass.Ouray County Coroner Glenn Boyd id...

January 8, 2025

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Donors emerge in effort to save homes

The people who climbed the stairs at the Ouray Community Center and filled the seats inside the City Council hearing room carried the heavy weight of ...

January 8, 2025

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Top story of 2024: Department beset by complaints, audit, firing

The revelation that a 17-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted inside the home of Ouray’s police chief ignited a turbulent 2024 for the polic...

January 1, 2025

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Top story of 2024: Council scrambles after administrator resigns

When the Ouray City Council hired Silas Clarke as the city administrator in 2020, it did so hoping to end a merry-go-round of chief executive officers...

January 1, 2025

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Ridgway carried Padgett to victory

Just like four years ago, Democrat Lynn Padgett has Ridgway-area voters primarily to thank for lifting her to victory and securing a second four-year ...

December 18, 2024

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Ridgway athletic complex near full funding threshold

If advocates for a new athletic complex behind Ridgway Secondary School were running a 5-kilometer race to raise the funding needed for the project, t...

December 18, 2024

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City boosts housing help for administrator

To bring aboard a new city administrator in 2020, Ouray city officials knew they would have to include some perks that, at the time, were unique to th...

December 18, 2024

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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