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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Council absorbs more criticism over police

The Ouray City Council on Monday agreed to pay Ouray County more for providing law enforcement services in the city, but not before absorbing another ...

April 8, 2026

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DA ordered again to turn over report in sexual assault case

Prosecutors have again been ordered to turn over to defense attorneys a report detailing some of the contents of a cellphone belonging to a woman who ...

April 1, 2026

Main, News...

Firefighters gain ground on Gold Mountain Fire

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...

News

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 ...

News

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...

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Looking Back

50 Years Ago

July 8, 2026

July 7, 1966 Charges have been filed in Ouray County Court against three Ouray youths for violation of state statutes in climbing over a fence at the municipal swimming pool last Friday and breaking b...

Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines