Author - News

Feature

‘Good People’ offers humorous, poignant look at class divide

Play hits stage in Ouray this weekend Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct actor Josh Robinson's last name. Kate Kissingford has a lo...

May 29, 2024

News

Will Ouray join the dark side?

City considers pursuing International Dark Sky certification The city of Ouray is considering joining other communities, parks and open spaces in sout...

May 22, 2024

News

Ouray eyes geothermal line replacement

City approves pipeline design in latest effort to hike pool temps Ouray city officials took the first step Monday toward replacing and reinsulating th...

May 22, 2024

Feature

MUSICAL A REMINDER OF THEATER’S IMPORTANCE

'The Drowsy Chaperone' takes stage in Ridgway next two weeks Kathy O’Mara understands the man in the chair. In the “The Drowsy Chaperone,” Man in Chai...

May 22, 2024

News

Battle over evidence heads to high court

The state’s highest court will decide whether prosecutors will be barred from introducing key evidence against one of three suspects accused of sexual...

May 15, 2024

News

A new chance to win housing lottery

Waterview Homes application period open until June 27 Hopeful home buyers who have been squeezed out of Ouray County’s soaring real estate market have...

May 15, 2024

News

City, feds spar over reservoir

The city of Ouray and the U.S. Forest Service are locked in a disagreement over the federal agency’s drawdown of Crystal Reservoir and whether the cit...

May 8, 2024

News

DA accused again of evidence violations

Second sex assault suspect seeks dismissal of case An attorney for a second suspect in the alleged sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl at the Ouray p...

May 8, 2024

News

Sex assault suspect facing new legal trouble

Dieffenderffer accused of speeding at 126 mph on U.S. 50, failing drug tests on Army base The Ouray police chief's stepson is facing fresh legal troub...

May 8, 2024

News

Council upholds massage studio lease termination

Calls for Ouray police chief's resignation or dismissal grow, with more than 100 citizens signing letterThe Ouray City Council on Monday rejected an a...

May 8, 2024

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...

News

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