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News

County rejects private fireworks display

Unwilling to set precedent and uncomfortable with the tight deadline, Ouray County commissioners on Tuesday denied an application to conduct a private...

June 28, 2023

Feature

‘A RESPONSIBILITY TO EVERYONE’

Ridgway deputy marshal Rachel Esters’ days on-call typically begin with a carrot muffin and coffee, followed by a friendly staring contest with the co...

June 21, 2023

Columns, Opinion

Nice to meet you, Ouray County. Let’s get to work

June 21, 2023

News

Error mars Wetterhorn Homes lottery drawing

[tecnavia_gallery slug='error-mars-wetterhorn-homes-lottery-drawing-gallery' view='carousel']Erin Booth clasped her right hand to her forehead and cri...

June 21, 2023

Ridgway’s landmark U.S. flag

Editor's note: This is the first installment in our new, occasional feature called "burning questions." We thought this one would be a great one to st...

June 14, 2023

News

County OKs more housing funding

The Board of County Commissioners approved a $100,000 grant for the Home Trust of Ouray County on Tuesday. The funding came from the county's remainin...

June 14, 2023

News

Group honors Ouray Mountain Rescue Team with Citizen of the Year award

[tecnavia_gallery slug='group-honors-ouray-mountain-rescue-team-with-citizen-of-the-year-award-gallery' view='carousel']The Ridgway-Ouray Community Co...

June 14, 2023

News

Tours adapt to slow start to season

After above-average snowfall rendered some popular trails impassable, local off-road vehicle rental and Jeep tour companies now face a familiar realit...

June 7, 2023

News

Off-roading trail prep hits high gear

As Ty Barger lurched up the side of Yankee Boy Basin, the Jeep Gladiator’s engine whined. He advanced slowly, occasionally peeking his head out the wi...

June 7, 2023

News

Panel OKs exceptions for housing lottery

The Ridgway Workforce and Affordable Housing Committee approved on Tuesday three of the five exception requests to the lottery for the Wetterhorn Home...

June 7, 2023

Main, News...

Firefighters gain ground

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

Fire pushes stressed wildlife into urban areas

By By James Hanlon Special to the Plaindealer

July 8, 2026

Wildlife escaping the Gold Mountain Fire are moving closer to town, prompting state wildlife officials to advise the public on how they can simultaneously help and give animals the space they need. Wi...

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...

Daniel Schmidt

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines