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More squeeze, less juice: How proposed disaster relief sales tax compares with other communities

Ouray County’s proposed sales tax hike to fund future disaster relief would take more out of residents’ and visitors’ pockets to provide a substantial...

September 30, 2026

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Alpine Ranger program in jeopardy

A backcountry patrol program created by Ouray County to fill the void left by federal staffing cuts could be on the chopping block for next summer wit...

September 30, 2026

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‘Super El Niño’ won’t be savior for West Slope

GRAND JUNCTION — Amid a stream of bad news for Western Slope water stakeholders last week, Russ Schumacher had the pleasure of opening the sluice. Nea...

September 23, 2026

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County widens search for more disaster aid

Ouray County officials must renew their search for additional disaster aid after the federal government dashed their hopes for another significant pot...

September 23, 2026

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Disaster tax not ‘backfill’ for fire costs, leaders say

In the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s declaration of the Gold Mountain Fire as a major federal disaster, Ouray County commissioners say the pot...

September 16, 2026

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Crews working to fill 1950s-era well along U.S. 550

It’s not what you think. A towering steel drill rig that’s been perched along the side of U.S. Highway 550 in recent weeks isn’t probing for gas, or o...

September 4, 2026

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Trump declares disaster for Gold Mountain, Aspen Acres fires

President Donald Trump has signed off on a major disaster declaration for the Gold Mountain and Aspen Acres fires that unlocks millions of dollars in ...

September 4, 2026

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Mining proposal faces unanimous scrutiny

Kris Peterson and Alex Klemt said it was an algorithm that led them west from Colorado Springs, up a rough dirt road past the Camp Bird Mine, and into...

September 2, 2026

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Factors behind the fire: What drove its spread?

In the summer of 1879, the largest wildfire in Colorado history at the time tore through 26,000 acres of rugged forest about eight miles south of Silv...

August 26, 2026

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Officials push Trump for disaster declaration

Federal, state and local officials pushed this week for President Donald Trump to issue a disaster declaration for the Gold Mountain and Aspen Acres f...

August 26, 2026

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A Monster celebration

October 7, 2026

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City, county near pact on police services

Boards to vote this month on sheriff 's $1.1M annual proposal to police Ouray

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

October 7, 2026

Ouray County and the city of Ouray are hammering out the details of an agreement that would enlist the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office to provide full law enforcement services to the city for potentiall...

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Reservoir transfer bill clears Senate

By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com

October 7, 2026

Federal legislation to transfer ownership of Crystal Reservoir to the city of Ouray cleared the U.S. Senate last week, sending the bill to the House of Representatives as the clock winds down for Cong...

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SMPA plans Four Corners solar project

Utility: Array, ba ttery storage could meet up to 40% of consumer power needs

By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com

October 7, 2026

San Miguel Power Association has joined three other southwest Colorado electricity providers in throwing their weight behind a sprawling solar facility near Cortez that could meet up to 40% of their c...

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Council not on board with transit funding next year

Ouray won't budget for in-town shuttle, Montrose bus

By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com

October 7, 2026

The Ouray City Council dropped funding from the proposed 2027 budget for the city’s free in-town shuttle and contributions to the OurWay bus that runs between Montrose and Ouray. The in-town Ouray shu...

Chart Riggall

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines