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The city of Ouray is prepared to scrap a series of new large signs installed this summer in the downtown core meant to direct drivers to various locat...

September 17, 2025

News

Councilors: Ouray residents, company need to do better securing trash

With bears loading up on calories in preparation for hibernation, some Ouray city councilors said they're looking for both residents and the city's tr...

September 17, 2025

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Pickleball tournament hits Ridgway this weekend

When members of the Ridgway Pickleball Club decided to launch a pickleball tournament two years ago, their biggest challenge was organizing it in just...

September 17, 2025

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Interim police chief retained through Dec. 31

Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer has extended the contract of Interim Police Chief Daric Harvey through the end of the year.Harvey was hired ...

September 10, 2025

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City proceeds with plans to remodel city hall, police station

The city of Ouray is moving ahead with plans to remodel a portion of the Ouray Community Center and a building across the street that will house the p...

August 27, 2025

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City retains lawyer in light of sewer problems

The city of Ouray will hire an attorney who could help potentially pursue legal claims against the contractors who built and equipped the city’s new $...

August 20, 2025

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Administrator secures positive review, raise

Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer received high marks on her first job performance review and will secure a 6% pay raise early next year.City ...

August 20, 2025

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Interim chief has first shot at permanent job

Interim Ouray Police Chief Daric Harvey will be given the first crack at the permanent police chief position through an internal interview process arr...

August 6, 2025

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City approves rooftop deck for library

The Ouray Public Library will get its rooftop deck — and at its preferred location.The Ouray City Council voted Monday night to amend the library’s le...

August 6, 2025

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City taps local businesses for additional park signs

Ouray city leaders insisted in May they wanted to hire local businesses to design, fabricate and install signs at the entrance to two city parks. They...

July 30, 2025

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Ridgway sues MTN Lodge

Town seeks payment of sales, lodging taxes; hotel calls lawsuit 'misguided'

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 1, 2026

The town of Ridgway is suing the owners of MTN Lodge over their plans to use the hotel as workforce housing for the next several years, aiming to suspend operations and demanding they pay lodging and ...

Main, News...

Board rebukes commissioner

Niece, Nauer censure Padgett for secretly recording closed-door meeting

By By Lia Salvatierra and Erin McIntyre lia@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

April 1, 2026

Two Ouray County commissioners publicly reprimanded their fellow commissioner after discovering she secretly recorded an executive session last week. Portions of the audio from that executive session ...

Main, News...

Proposed merger could make fire chief highest paid official

Latest draft bases members' voting power on financial contributions

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 1, 2026

The current proposal to combine fire and emergency medical services entities in Ouray County could eventually make the new fire chief the highest-paid public official in the county and may base partic...

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Jury convicts mother in retaliation case

By Erin McIntyre and Mike Wiggins erin@ouraynews.com mike@ouraynews.com

April 1, 2026

A jury has convicted a former Ouray woman of retaliating against another woman who accused her son of sexual assault in 2023. Jurors deliberated for about an hour on March 26 before finding Kristyn Tr...

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EMS moves overnight quarters with help from chamber grant

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

April 1, 2026

Ouray County Emergency Medical Services is moving its sleeping quarters for on-call staff in Ouray into the former Public Health office location, with donations providing rent assistance. An EMT will ...

Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines