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Since 2017, Ouray County residents had been represented in the state Senate by Don Coram of Montrose. But that changed last month as a result of redis...

February 23, 2023

At Ouray Ice House, early birds get the brew

Ouray can be pretty quiet around 5:30 a.m, save for the local and visiting ice climbers, hikers and other adventurers heading up to high elevation loo...

February 23, 2023

Beloved Ridgway breakfast spot has new owner

Kate Singer has always been a “foodie,” and this passion led her to open one of Ridgway’s iconic breakfast spots, Kate’s Place, 16 years ago. Now, she...

February 23, 2023

New guide service caters to diverse clients

Moxie Mountain Guides co-owner Sheldon Kerr remembers meeting her business partner Kristen Arnold and thinking “she will be mine.” The duo met while w...

February 23, 2023

News

Elected officials pursue future pay raise

Ouray County commissioners voted on Feb. 8 to pursue a pay raise for elected officials that would increase salaries for commissioners, clerks, treasur...

February 15, 2023

News

Mural could grace side of Space to Create building

The east side of the three-story Space to Create building in Ridgway is a big white wall, and about 15 mem-bers of the community met on Feb. 8 to disc...

February 15, 2023

News

Retired doc seeks to snuff out tobacco sales

Dr. Carolyn Dresler distinctly remembers learning about the dangers of tobacco in middle and high school around the time her grandmother died from lun...

February 15, 2023

Spotlight on the Arts: Lu Anne Tyrrell

Lu Anne Tyrrell’s mother used to say the Montrose-based photographer must have been born with crayons in her hands. “I have always been either drawing...

February 15, 2023

News

Rep. Catlin’s bills focus on agriculture, mental health

House District 58 Rep. Marc Catlin is focusing his efforts this legislative session on three bills aimed at improving agriculture, mental health and c...

February 8, 2023

News

Road agreement with mine falls apart

Ouray County commissioners plan to close County Road 361 to vehicle access and revert to over-the-snow travel only on March 1, after it became clear T...

February 8, 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...

Kylea Henseler

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines