Author - News

Feature

In ‘Heroes of the Fourth Turning,’ young conservative characters take center stage

2020 Pulitzer finalist for drama comes to Ouray this weekend It’s an open secret that theatermakers are, by and large, politically progressive. Kate K...

January 31, 2024

Feature

A celebration of ice climbing, winter in Ouray

Ice Fest features world-class athletes, clinics, fireside chats — and an icy sculpture to be set on fire Peter O’Neil knows interest in the sport of i...

January 17, 2024

News

Possession of child porn nets probation

Man could have felony conviction wiped off record in 3 years if he stays out of trouble A Ridgway man who was found in possession of hundreds of image...

January 17, 2024

News

Developer, city reach housing pact

Council OKs deed restrictions, development agreement for Waterview affordable projectThe Ouray City Council unanimously approved Tuesday night a trio ...

January 17, 2024

News

Support builds for school athletic field

Ridgway board backs project, which already has financial pledges The Ridgway School Board threw its support behind a proposed multimillion- dollar ath...

January 10, 2024

News

Sewer, water top Ouray’s $38M budget

Plants should be done by June, but pool _ixes, housing, new public restroom also in focus The city of Ouray will push across the finish line this year...

January 10, 2024

News

Storms sock San Juans, with more on the way

Southwestern Colorado's paltry snowpack received a big boost from a pair of storms that rolled across the San Juan Mountains over the weekend into Mon...

January 10, 2024

Top stories of 2023: Ouray begins tackling cool temps at pool

News

TOP STORIES OF THE YEAR: HOT SPRINGS PROBLEMS PERSIST The city of Ouray took incremental steps in 2023 toward fixing flagging water flows and temperat...

December 27, 2023

Top stories of 2023: Stakeholders make major gains on housing

News

TOP STORIES OF THE YEAR: AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRESS After finishing the first affordable housing project in Ouray County in 2022 with the Space to Cr...

December 27, 2023

News

After September drop, sales tax up in October in Ouray

After slipping a bit in September, sales tax revenue rebounded in October in Ouray, keeping the city on track for another year of record receipts. Rev...

December 27, 2023

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