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A Ridgway man died and his wife was seriously injured after their sport-utility vehicle and a cement truck collided head-on Tuesday afternoon on U.S. ...

October 16, 2024

News

SMPA proposes peak usage rate hike

Customers would pay more to use electricity during a five-hour window in the afternoon and evening, under a proposal that will be considered by the ru...

October 16, 2024

News

Panel picks replacement for district attorney

Anna Cooling has had her sights set on becoming the district attorney in the 7th Judicial District for many years.It required a circuitous route to ge...

October 16, 2024

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Candidate takes aim at county spending

Criticizing Ouray County government spending as “out of control,” Republican commissioner candidate Michael Perkovich questioned what his opponent has...

October 2, 2024

Feature

Ridgway Hardware adds moving services

When U-Haul approached Ridgway Hardware manager Stephen Laster a year ago about adding moving and hauling services to the store’s business operations,...

September 25, 2024

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Sales tax holds steady in July

The city of Ouray remains on track for another record-breaking year for salestax collections.The city pulled in $505,406 in taxes from sales made in J...

September 25, 2024

Main, News

Affordable rentals project gets $100K boost from Ouray

The Ouray City Council unanimously agreed Monday to donate $100,000 toward an affordable housing project on Oak Street, boosting the chances it will b...

September 18, 2024

Feature

Pickleball tourney makes bigger racket

For organizers of the second-annual San Juan Slam pickleball tournament, this weekend’s three-day event is all about more. More players, more games, m...

September 18, 2024

Feature

CYCLING FOR A GOOD CAUSE

For the last 20 years, children in San Miguel County and the west end of Montrose County have been the beneficiaries of dozens of people strapping on ...

September 18, 2024

News

BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE

The glass orbs look like a cross between a snow globe and the top of a wizard’s scepter. For years they sat in an attic at the Ouray County Museum, fo...

September 11, 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...

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...

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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