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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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

Feature

A new chapter for historic St. Elmo

It was a cold call that led Clay Bales to warm up to the San Juans. Five years ago, he picked up the phone and dialed the number for Jason Raible, the...

July 30, 2025

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