Author - News

News

City, library expansion plans could conflict

The Ouray Library District’s plans to build a rooftop deck as part of a broader facility expansion could conflict with the city of Ouray’s own facilit...

April 30, 2025

News

Ouray police exodus continues

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect the Ridgway Marshal's Office has hired a half-time deputy. ___________________ The city of Our...

April 23, 2025

News

Man accused of drunken driving, spitting on deputy

A Ridgway man suspected of hitting a liquor store building with his vehicle, driving drunk and leaving the scene also faces possible felony charges fo...

April 23, 2025

News

Ouray council backs rental license nonrenewal

A Ridgway couple who failed to rent their home for at least 30 days in the last year won't be allowed to keep their short-term rental license.Ouray ci...

April 23, 2025

News

City wades into mobile home deed restrictions

Ouray city councilors are beginning to sort through a package of deed restrictions intended to maintain Swiss Village Mobile Home Park as affordable h...

April 16, 2025

News

Ouray man suspected of vandalizing restaurant

A Ouray man was arrested last weekend after he allegedly broke out a window at the Outlaw Restaurant.William Kropuenske, 33, was booked into the Montr...

April 16, 2025

Main, News

Ouray’s new top cop promises integrity, accountability and transparency

For more than a year, Ouray’s search for a police officer proved fruitless, yielding only the same copy-and-paste monthly update to the City Council —...

April 9, 2025

Main, News

City buys property for police, housing

The Ouray City Council signed off Monday night on the purchase of a two-story building across the street from City Hall, with the intent of converting...

April 9, 2025

News

Design options unveiled for hot springs bathhouse

An architect unveiled Monday night three potential concepts for the design of the exterior of a new bathhouse at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, giving th...

April 9, 2025

News

School improvements slated for summer

The areas where Ridgway School District students gather to socialize, eat, study and host musical and theatrical performances will receive roughly $1 ...

April 2, 2025

Main, News...

‘There’s not a day where I don’t do something impactful’

Community paramedicine brings vital care to mountain, rural places

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

November 19, 2025

Editor’s note: There’s a proposal to start a community paramedicine program here in Ouray County, and we wanted to know more about how these kinds of services work in other places in Colorado where th...

Main, News...

Commissioner: ‘My patience is gone’

Claiming continued poor behavior, Nauer asks Padgett to take 'timeout,' attend meetings remotely

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

November 19, 2025

Ouray County Commissioner Michelle Nauer has asked Commissioner Lynn Padgett to take a "timeout" and attend meetings by Zoom while the county makes leadership transitions over the next few months, cit...

News

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

Councilors table plan requiring officers to live within 10 miles of city after concern from leaders

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

November 19, 2025

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 from the city after local law enforcement and city...

News

SMPA approves rate increases

Monthly base, peak energy charges to rise in 2026 as electric cooperative prepares for escalating wholesale power costs

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

November 19, 2025

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 electric cooperative continues to grapple with higher who...

News

Ridgway hires North Carolina agency for tourism, marketing

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

November 19, 2025

The town of Ridgway has hired a North Carolina-based agency for its tourism and marketing services, choosing an outside perspective familiar with rural communities. During a Nov. 12 town council meeti...

Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines