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County struggles to hire road and bridge leader

After a candidate for the open road and bridge superintendent job turned down the county’s offer, the Board of County Commissioners has authorized Cou...

March 5, 2020

News

Schools prepare for virus, promote handwashing

Coronavirus was a hot topic at last Thursday’s Ridgway School Board meeting with two members of the public voicing concerns. Ridgway parent John Count...

March 5, 2020

News

New program focused on LGBTQ youth

A local nonprofit is embarking on a program to better support LGBTQ youth, focusing on what makes kids feel safe and accepted in the community. The Co...

February 27, 2020

News

Board discusses schedule changes

The Ouray School Board discussed changes to graduation requirements for next year’s graduating class, giving a potential schedule change a trial run a...

February 27, 2020

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Cemetery districts may consolidate

Limited resources have prompted the idea to combine cemetery districts or possibly create a countywide district, and the Ouray County attorney has bee...

February 27, 2020

Thatâs the way the cookie comes together

[tecnavia_gallery slug='thata%c2%80%c2%99s-the-way-the-cookie-comes-together-gallery' view='carousel']Locals now have someone to call when they want s...

February 27, 2020

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Board aims for fall ballot measure

The Ridgway School Board hopes to ask voters this fall to allow the school district to retain revenue from a mill levy override that is set to expire ...

February 12, 2020

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Storage facility back in violation

Ouray County officials have ordered the owner of a storage facility to stop using unauthorized storage units for commercial purposes and remove the fr...

February 12, 2020

News

Road closure causes crowding at Ice Park

Members of the Ouray Ice Park board of directors and an owner of a local guiding company are concerned about the effect an extended closure of County ...

February 12, 2020

News

Library expansion sails through winter

After a two-week early start and despite heavy snowfall so far this winter, the Ridgway Public Library expansion project is still on — and perhaps a l...

February 12, 2020

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...

Carolina Brown News@ouraynews.com

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines