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News

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a comment from Jeff Wood's attorney. The city of Ouray fired its police chief today, citing a li...

June 24, 2024

News

Climber dies after rescue in Ice Park

A 27-year-old Fort Collins man who was found unconscious in the Ouray Ice Park on Feb. 24 died as a result of asphyxiation. A group of climbers found ...

March 8, 2023

News

Man dies while fleeing police

A suspected intoxicated driver who died during a police pursuit after falling into Dexter Creek Canyon had two prior drunken-driving convictions as we...

May 26, 2021

News

âOuray just wonât be the same without himâ

He’s still here, in some ways. In the shot glass poured with a drink for him on the bar at the Ouray Elks Lodge. In the bottles of the lavender oil he...

March 11, 2021

Opinion

We mean what we say

[tecnavia_gallery slug='we-mean-what-we-say-gallery' view='carousel']Yes, we mean it. We have a letters policy and we’re sticking to it. Even during e...

October 7, 2020

Covid

Mass virus testing attracts more than 600

Ouray County's first mass testing event for COVID-19 attracted so many participants that twice as many tests were performed in two days as had been co...

September 3, 2020

Covid

State sinks pool variance request

[tecnavia_gallery slug='state-sinks-pool-variance-request-gallery' view='carousel']More than a month after Ouray County asked the state for permission...

July 29, 2020

Covid

Pandemic handcuffs sheriff candidate campaigns

[tecnavia_gallery slug='pandemic-handcuffs-sheriff-candidate-campaigns-gallery' view='carousel']Justin Perry sits alone at a picnic table, scrolling t...

June 11, 2020

Covid

New state order allows pools to reopen

Pool operators are asking Ouray County to pursue a variance to allow more swimmers than a statewide limitation, to make opening more financially viabl...

June 4, 2020

Covid

Dining options on municipalitiesâ table

Local municipalities are troubleshooting how they can safely accommodate outdoor dining and allow restaurants to have more outside capacity, in antici...

May 21, 2020

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...

Erin Mcintyre And Mike Wiggins

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines