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Karen Risch

Despite weekend storm, 2026 starts warm and dry
Columns, Opinion
Despite weekend storm, 2026 starts warm and dry
The year 2025, Ouray’s hottest year ever recorded, began with a very cold, dry month. January 2025’s mean temperatures were 4.8 degrees below normal b...
January 28, 2026
In San Juans, a case of winter whiplash
Columns, Opinion
In San Juans, a case of winter whiplash
Ouray finally woke up to its first measurable snowfall Monday, Nov. 24. While waiting for the magic of winter’s arrival, late or not, I found myself w...
November 26, 2025
As daylight dwindles, how can we curb energy use?
Columns, Opinion
As daylight dwindles, how can we curb energy use?
Ouray’s first frost occurred Oct. 17, three weeks after the average frost date, Sept. 26. It was a fitting end to a hot, droughty summer. Occasional d...
November 5, 2025
After abnormally hot, dry summer, what will fall bring?
Columns, Opinion
After abnormally hot, dry summer, what will fall bring?
Halfway through Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, at 12:22 p.m.Mountain Daylight Time, astronomical summer officially yielded to autumn.Seasonal change has been...
September 24, 2025
Late monsoon welcome, but it won’t fix deficit
Columns, Opinion
Late monsoon welcome, but it won’t fix deficit
This year's missing monsoon finally showed up the night of Aug. 22. By the next morning, Saturday, a much wetter, greener, cooler world greeted Ouray ...
August 27, 2025
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Editor Picks
New county manager seeks to lead with heart
Main, News...
New county manager seeks to lead with heart
After careers in big cities and large governments, Antonio Mendez is shifting his perspective
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 4, 2026
Ouray County is unlike most places Antonio Mendez has lived or worked before, and Mendez brings experience unlike the county has seen in two decades, or possibly ever. Ouray County’s new manager grew ...
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City leader pulls police from patrol duty
Main, News...
City leader pulls police from patrol duty
Administrator cites concerns about training, liability; sheriff's office assumes full control of services in Ouray
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
February 4, 2026
Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer has pulled the police department’s two remaining officers off of patrol duty and reassigned them to administrative tasks, citing concerns about liability and ...
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News
County considers asking voters for tax hike in November
Staff to research potential funding measures for EMS, road and bridge; sheriff won't seek question this fall
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 4, 2026
Ouray County leaders want to research and poll the public’s appetite for asking voters for more tax revenue, to raise additional money for the county’s Emergency Medical Services and the Road and Brid...
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News
Ridgway gets initial OK for $1.34M grant
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 4, 2026
Ridgway has received initial approval for a $1.34 million grant to help it explore an all-electric building code for new construction and help electrify municipal operations, to lower its carbon footp...
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Good for you! Uncompahgre STEAM Fair
Feature
Good for you! Uncompahgre STEAM Fair
February 4, 2026
The “Good For You!” page is a place for reader-submitted photos illustrating community, celebrations and more. Want to submit a photo for publication? Here are some guidelines for submissions: - This ...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

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Ridgway CO 81432

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