Author - News

Columns, Feature

The American West, including the Western Slope of Colorado, experienced significant population growth in the latter decades of the 19th century. “Boos...

August 6, 2025

Columns, Feature

The rise, fall and rise of Ouray County

Why did thousands of people, most of whom had never even heard of Ouray, Ridgway or Colona, come to this remote part of Colorado? The history of Ouray...

July 9, 2025

Columns, Feature

County’s historic churches home to ample stories

When does a mining camp truly become a town? It happens legally with official documents of incorporation. It occurs economically when businesses arriv...

July 2, 2025

Columns, Feature

Scenic Last Dollar Road connects to rugged past

It is time to begin planning our explorations into the San Juan Mountains again. Be certain to include another trek on Last Dollar Road, connecting Ri...

May 7, 2025

Columns, Opinion

The forgotten — and shameful — history of Silverton

Mining entrepreneurs founded the town of Silverton in 1874. With the discovery of silver, gold and zinc, it was a boomtown with prospectors, suppliers...

April 9, 2025

Columns, Feature

Ranch hand to outlaw: The making of Butch Cassidy

The legend of Butch Cassidy, one of the West's most enduring outlaws, has roots firmly planted in the rugged terrain of Colorado's Western Slope. Befo...

March 12, 2025

Main

A weekend full of pride

August 20, 2025

News

City retains lawyer in light of sewer problems

Mayor says he doesn't think the city will take legal action, but firm will review potential defect claims

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

August 20, 2025

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 $17 million wastewater treatment plant, which has b...

News

Ridgway opens door for tourism marketing

Town follows through on plan to seek bids for services; chamber to seek to keep contract

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

August 20, 2025

The town of Ridgway is opening up a competitive process for its tourism and marketing services after years of handing the task to the Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce. The shift toward a competitive p...

Letters

Time to lower the speed limit on U.S. 550

August 20, 2025

Dear Editor: Hardly a week goes by without another fatal accident on U.S. Highway 550, it seems. Or am I just imagining things? Winter or summer, events conspire, someone dies and the road is closed f...

Letters

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Revisiting postal history

August 20, 2025

Dear Editor: I read with interest Ms. Snowbarger’s column, “The West’s Unsung Heroes? Post Offices” in the Aug. 7, 2025, issue of the Plaindealer. Postal history, particularly that of Ouray County and...

Carolyn Snowbarger

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines