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The nonprofit organization that runs the Ouray Ice Park cautioned Monday that it has reached a crossroads, saying its operational costs continue to cl...

June 3, 2026

News

Citizens petition city to pave Oak Street

A group of residents has petitioned the city of Ouray to pave Oak Street, claiming the work is needed to control dust, accommodate increased traffic a...

May 27, 2026

Feature

Award-winning ‘Lord of the Rings’ parody comes to Ouray

You know the lines. Or at least you’ve seen the memes — and the myriad spinoffs of them. “One does not simply walk into Mordor.” “One ring to rule the...

May 27, 2026

Main, News

City to keep police department

The city of Ouray will retain and rebuild its own independent police department but rely on Ouray County Sheriff Justin Perry to lead the hiring and t...

May 20, 2026

News

Citizens organized against councilor

Former Ouray City Councilor Tamara Gulde ran into an organized effort to keep her from returning to public office earlier this year after she lost the...

May 20, 2026

News

Woman gets probation in retaliation case

A former Ouray woman has been ordered to spend two years on probation for retaliating against a woman who accused her son of sexual assault in 2023.Kr...

May 13, 2026

Main, News

City takes plunge on hot springs repairs

The city of Ouray will spend more than $280,000 to resurface the hottest soaking areas at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool this fall, a repair pool managers...

April 22, 2026

News

City keeps status quo on Via Ferrata operations — for now

The Ouray Via Ferrata is scheduled to open May 1 under a new municipal management structure, even as city leaders and commercial guides debate whether...

April 22, 2026

Main, News

Administrator sought info backing chief decision

Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer sought input from neighboring law enforcement agencies about how they conduct background checks — after she ...

April 15, 2026

Main, News

Does Ouray need a new pool house? Council, public split

A series of tweaks to the design of a proposed new pool house at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool has exposed a deep divide among Ouray City Council members...

April 8, 2026

News

Fire crews aim to draw ‘big box’ around blaze

By Chart Riggall

July 17, 2026

Surveying a sprawling map of the northern San Juans on Wednesday, Mike Smith was deep in a geometry of fire. Fingers tracing fire lines and ridges, Smith – who assumed the role of incident commander o...

Main, News...

Pilot dies in reservoir crash

Accident under investigation; man honored with procession

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

An experienced firefighting pilot who was pulling water from Silver Jack Reservoir to battle the Gold Mountain Fire died Sunday when his helicopter plunged into the reservoir northeast of Ridgway. Nic...

Main, News...

Heights, heat add to firefighters’ strain

By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

Hotshot Jesse Eaves calls it “The Great Race.” At the small tent city along U.S. Highway 550, Eaves starts each day with a 5 a.m. wakeup call. Thus begins an eight-minute sprint for him and his Califo...

News

County approves hiring fire recovery manager — if it can find funding

By Mike Wiggins and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

Ouray County intends to hire an employee who can help lead the county’s efforts to recover from the Gold Mountain Fire — assuming it can find funding. County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agree...

News

Trust, county close to conserving open space park

Grants, donations put nonprofit on brink of acquiring Silver Mountain Mine property

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

July 15, 2026

Ouray County is much closer to getting a new open space park on the Silver Mountain Mine property. The Trust for Land Restoration has received a $180,000 Great Outdoors Colorado grant. Couple that wit...

Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines