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Local governments brace for possible downturn

After raking in record-shattering sales and property taxes and socking away healthy reserves the last several years in the wake of the pandemic, local...

November 26, 2025

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Police chief, sheriff urge Ouray council to rethink strict response time policy

The Ouray City Council on Monday pitched and then quickly ditched a proposal to require police officers to live within 10 miles and a 10-minute drive ...

November 19, 2025

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SMPA approves rate increases

The San Miguel Power Association board of directors on Tuesday approved dual rate increases in 2026 for the second year in a row, as the rural electri...

November 19, 2025

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Ouray to set aside funding for down payment help

The city of Ouray will earmark up to $100,000 in 2026 for a down payment assistance program aimed at helping middle-income homebuyers who make too muc...

November 19, 2025

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Outgoing mayor offers blunt assessment of election, state of affairs in Ouray

With just a few days left in his tenure, outgoing Ouray Mayor Ethan Funk on Monday lamented the lack of city council candidates in this month’s electi...

November 19, 2025

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Judge delays sex assault trial again

The trial for one of three men accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Ouray County in 2023 has been postponed for a second time.Seventh ...

November 12, 2025

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Ouray to pursue 24-hour police coverage

Ouray’s interim police chief will explore implementing around-the-clock police coverage, a significant change aimed at nullifying a new policy the cit...

November 12, 2025

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Underwood elected mayor

Ouray City Councilor Michael Underwood won election to the mayor’s seat Tuesday night, succeeding on a campaign that emphasized fiscal conservatism an...

November 5, 2025

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Ouray utility bills to rise by 6%

Ouray residents and business owners will see their utility bills rise by 6% next year, as the city seeks additional revenue to meet the requirements o...

November 5, 2025

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Council nixes alcohol at hot springs

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 cost...

October 29, 2025

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Unaffiliated county candidates announce election campaigns

First-timers Todd, Oakland seek clerk, treasurer posts

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

January 7, 2026

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to specify that Glenn Boyd volunteers for the county EMS department. A group of unaffiliated political candidates joined together this week to announce the...

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Mild temps leave Ice Park high, dry

Without key ingredient — ice — and no estimated opening date, officials forced to reimagine festivals

By By Lia Salvatierra and Mike Wiggins lia@ouraynews.com mike@ouraynews.com

January 7, 2026

The half-bare walls of the Uncompahgre Gorge tell a story Peter O’Neil wanted no part of — one of 50-degree December days and out-of-work rangers and ice farmers scrambling to find other sources of in...

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Schiffer, Doherty picked for council

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

January 7, 2026

Ouray Planning Commissioner Kevin Schiffer and former city building inspector Dave Doherty were selected Monday to fill the two vacancies on the Ouray City Council, restoring a full slate of elected o...

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Sheriff steps in again to help police

Residents back former interim chief as meeting scheduled to discuss future of policing in Ouray

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

January 7, 2026

The city of Ouray is once again leaning on the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office to fill gaps in police officer patrol shifts, after City Administrator Michelle Metteer decided not to hire Interim Police ...

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Skijoring marks anniversary with expanded competition

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

January 7, 2026

The organizers of the San Juan Skijoring event learned a long time ago they couldn't count on Mother Nature to provide the materials for their competition. Last year, they invested $54,000 in their ow...

Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines