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Big crowds, more energy expected for Ice Fest

The 28th annual Ouray Ice Festival could look much like the event did before COVID struck, with the most sponsors since the pandemic started, a packed...

January 18, 2023

News

Wildlife underpass planned on U.S. 550

Work is expected to begin next year on an estimated $13.5 million project on U.S Highway 550, which will include a wildlife underpass and fencing near...

January 11, 2023

News

County attorney earns high marks

Ouray County Attorney Leo Caselli earned near-perfect scores from commissioners on his first annual performance review, which was approved by the boar...

January 11, 2023

News

Discounted state parks pass now included with vehicle registrations

Vehicle registration fees in Colorado now include a $29 charge for the new “Keep Colorado Wild” pass, which is intended to generate funding for state ...

January 11, 2023

News

State park joins Dark Sky mentorship program

Ridgway State Park is taking a step toward becoming an International Dark Sky Place by participating in a mentorship program that will help officials,...

January 11, 2023

Behind the badge: Meet Deputy Harlow

Deputy Dustin Harlow, the Ouray County Sheriff’s Department’s newest employee, asked Undersheriff Tammy Stroup for a reserve position just a few weeks...

January 5, 2023

News

Perimeter Trail’s last leg set for completion

If elk could walk over the horizontal bands that mark the mountains surrounding Ouray, maybe people could too, a young Bob Risch thought. The idea wou...

January 5, 2023

News

After 8 years, Ben Tisdel looks beyond public office

Ouray County Commissioner Ben Tisdel will pass the torch to Michelle Nauer on Jan. 10, leaving a board he believes is getting back to normal business ...

January 5, 2023

News

Single-use bag fee goes into effect

Colorado is tightening restrictions on single-use bags used by businesses, but the new rules that took effect on Jan. 1 will have little impact on man...

January 5, 2023

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Outgoing coroner reflects on pain, acts of kindness

Death can be tragic, but for Colleen Hollenbeck it has also been a teacher and, somewhat ironically, a harbinger of hope in humanity. Hollenbeck will ...

January 5, 2023

Main, News...

Ridgway sues MTN Lodge

Town seeks payment of sales, lodging taxes; hotel calls lawsuit 'misguided'

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 1, 2026

The town of Ridgway is suing the owners of MTN Lodge over their plans to use the hotel as workforce housing for the next several years, aiming to suspend operations and demanding they pay lodging and ...

Main, News...

Board rebukes commissioner

Niece, Nauer censure Padgett for secretly recording closed-door meeting

By By Lia Salvatierra and Erin McIntyre lia@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

April 1, 2026

Two Ouray County commissioners publicly reprimanded their fellow commissioner after discovering she secretly recorded an executive session last week. Portions of the audio from that executive session ...

Main, News...

Proposed merger could make fire chief highest paid official

Latest draft bases members' voting power on financial contributions

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 1, 2026

The current proposal to combine fire and emergency medical services entities in Ouray County could eventually make the new fire chief the highest-paid public official in the county and may base partic...

News

Jury convicts mother in retaliation case

By Erin McIntyre and Mike Wiggins erin@ouraynews.com mike@ouraynews.com

April 1, 2026

A jury has convicted a former Ouray woman of retaliating against another woman who accused her son of sexual assault in 2023. Jurors deliberated for about an hour on March 26 before finding Kristyn Tr...

News

EMS moves overnight quarters with help from chamber grant

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

April 1, 2026

Ouray County Emergency Medical Services is moving its sleeping quarters for on-call staff in Ouray into the former Public Health office location, with donations providing rent assistance. An EMT will ...

Kylea Henseler

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines