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Underwood sees gap between council, public

When he looks out at the audience at a Ouray City Council meeting or walks Main Street, Michael Underwood said he sees and hears people who are discon...

October 15, 2025

Main, News

Fire chief vows to clean up fireworks trash found by visitors

Michal Nowicki was looking for a panoramic view above Ouray when he hiked near the "Switzerland of America" sign last week. He found it — along with a...

October 8, 2025

Feature

‘An Iliad’ shares ‘an epic story in a really intimate setting’

Playing in Ouray this weekend, modern-day retelling of Homer's poem explores valor, savagery of Trojan War In the last 20 years, John Kissingford has ...

October 1, 2025

Main, News

Once in ‘crisis,’ Ouray police rebuilding

Daric Harvey needs another dry erase board. The one hanging on the wall next to his desk is out of room, crammed with a checklist of goals and initiat...

September 24, 2025

Main, News

Ouray to ditch large downtown signs

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

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

Main, News...

Evacuations ordered near Cutler Creek as rain pummels burn scar

Oak Street closed due to mud, flooding

By Mike

July 29, 2026

UPDATE, 9:45 p.m. U.S. Highway 550 reopened between Ridgway and Ouray Wednesday night, authorities announced at 9:15 p.m. Emergency officials encouraged motorists to be cautions when driving through a...

Main, News...

Rain on burn scar triggers flooding, evacuation

Hydrologist: Above-average rain forecast through September

By Chart Riggall

July 29, 2026

Heavy rainfall over scorched soil sent flash floods raging down Cutler Creek on Sunday night, spilling mud down through Ponderosa Village and briefly shuttering U.S. Highway 550. The torrent of water ...

Main, News...

Fire scorches bottom lines

Reliant on summer tourism, reeling businesses running out of time to claw back lost revenue

By Mike Wiggins, Chart Riggall and Erin McIntyre

July 29, 2026

It didn’t take but a spark and a stiff breeze to turn Justin Mitchell’s summer upside down. During the first few hours of the Gold Mountain Fire, Mitchell — who runs a horseback guiding outfit in the ...

News

Governments team up on flood mitigation

City, nonprofits pitch in $165,000, while financially pinched county searches for more funding

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

July 29, 2026

Government agencies and nonprofit organizations have begun stepping up to help Ouray County pay to protect homes and roads from flooding and mudslides in the aftermath of the Gold Mountain Fire. The O...

Feature

Ridgway-area homes featured on Home Trust tour

By Plaindealer Staff Report Plaindealer@ouraynews.com

July 29, 2026

An eclectic mix of Ridgway-area houses are on the Home Trust of Ouray County's tour this weekend, with homeowners opening their homes to participants to help raise funds for affordable housing. This y...

Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines