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Ouray County commissioners denied two separate marijuana cultivation applications last week after a long hearing process stretching across two days. B...

May 19, 2022

News

County debates mine building request

The Ouray Silver Mines wants to leave buildings up at the Revenue-Virginius site on County Road 26 "post-reclamation," mine representatives told Ouray...

May 12, 2022

News

Planning commissioner narrowly appointed

Ouray county commissioners voted 2-1 to reappoint a planning commissioner Tuesday, after delaying the decision and receiving complaints about him from...

May 5, 2022

News

Ridgway superintendent gets raise, new contract

The Ridgway School Board approved a new three-year contract and a 7% pay raise for Ridgway Superintendent Susan Lacy on April 28, with board members p...

May 5, 2022

News

County progresses on cannabis code revisions

Ouray County commissioners met in a seventh work session to revise the county’s marijuana ordinance on April 27, agreeing to not allow marijuana culti...

May 5, 2022

News

New member joins school board

A new member of the Ouray School Board was sworn in on Monday night. Jane Schiffer was the only qualified applicant to apply to fill a vacancy left af...

April 27, 2022

News

Weed department reveals needs

The county's weed department has been trying to function without a functioning vehicle, proper conditions for chemical storage, unsecured storage area...

April 27, 2022

News

Group pitches marijuana grow ballot question

A Log Hill resident is asking county commissioners to place a ballot measure before voters – to require a buffer zone between marijuana grow operation...

April 27, 2022

A new frame on life in Ridgway

Whether they’re an artist preparing for a show, a proud parent eager to show off a child’s masterpiece or just someone with some family photographs or...

April 27, 2022

Salon changes ownership, location

When Kendra Manley opened Salon Monti in Ouray in 2016, one of her first major decisions involved bringing stylist Sharra King on board as an employee...

April 27, 2022

Main, News...

Pilot dies in reservoir crash

Accident under investigation; man honored with procession

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

An experienced firefighting pilot who was pulling water from Silver Jack Reservoir to battle the Gold Mountain Fire died Sunday when his helicopter plunged into the reservoir northeast of Ridgway. Nic...

Main, News...

Heights, heat add to firefighters’ strain

By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

Hotshot Jesse Eaves calls it “The Great Race.” At the small tent city along U.S. Highway 550, Eaves starts each day with a 5 a.m. wakeup call. Thus begins an eight-minute sprint for him and his Califo...

News

County approves hiring fire recovery manager — if it can find funding

By Mike Wiggins and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

Ouray County intends to hire an employee who can help lead the county’s efforts to recover from the Gold Mountain Fire — assuming it can find funding. County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agree...

News

Trust, county close to conserving open space park

Grants, donations put nonprofit on brink of acquiring Silver Mountain Mine property

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

July 15, 2026

Ouray County is much closer to getting a new open space park on the Silver Mountain Mine property. The Trust for Land Restoration has received a $180,000 Great Outdoors Colorado grant. Couple that wit...

News

Man gets probation, community service in sex assault case

One of three defendants, Whittington admits to giving alcohol to minor

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

A former Ouray County man was sentenced Monday to one year of unsupervised probation for providing alcohol to a then-17-year-old girl who said she was sexually assaulted by two others at the former Ou...

Carolina Brown

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines