Author - News

Columns, Opinion

A civilized Thanksgiving at an uncivilized time

Was the famed "Outlaw Thanksgiving" in Brown’s Park history or simply a tall tale? According to Ann Bassett, the "Queen of the Cattle Rustlers," it wa...

November 12, 2025

Columns, Feature

How the San Juans got their name from an early trailblazer

The San Juan Mountains are not just a mountain range; they are the jagged, breathtaking spine of southwestern Colorado. This is a land of untamed peak...

October 8, 2025

Columns, Opinion

Dam it: the story of Ridgway State Park

Our neighborhood reservoir, Ridgway State Park, has become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.The park is a modern chapter in the long and ...

September 10, 2025

Columns, Feature

The West’s unsung heroes? Post offices

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

Main, News...

‘I did it for the animals’

Continuing a tradition she started more than 20 years ago, Ridgway's Dana Ivers partners with land trust to shield 170 acres from development

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

November 12, 2025

Dodging prairie dog holes, Dana Ivers walked through her roughly 170-acre property on the southern side of Ridgway, admiring the sound and clear color of snowmelt rushing through ditches and into her ...

Main, News...

Judge delays sex assault trial again

Over objections to another holdup, defense says DNA expert not available in January

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

November 12, 2025

The trial for one of three men accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Ouray County in 2023 has been postponed for a second time. Seventh Judicial Chief District Judge Cory Jackson agreed...

News

Ouray to pursue 24-hour police coverage

Interim chief suggests change after council OKs response time policy that could impact his job status

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

November 12, 2025

Ouray’s interim police chief will explore implementing around-the-clock police coverage, a significant change aimed at nullifying a new policy the city council adopted last week that could otherwise m...

News

County hires deputy attorney, makes other transition plans

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

November 12, 2025

Ouray County commissioners have hired a new deputy county attorney and made transition plans for three other vacant county leadership roles. For varying reasons, four top-level county roles were vacat...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

SMPA’s rate structure is regressive

By Dear Editor:

November 12, 2025

Concerning the proposed San Miguel Power Association rate increase: Has the recent peak/off-peak rate structure worked to reduce the demand charge from Tri-State Generation and Transmission Associatio...

Carolyn Snowbarger

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines