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Ridgway adopts expedited process for affordable housing projects

Ridgway has formalized an expedited review process for affordable housing projects, a requirement for applying for Proposition 123 affordable housing ...

November 19, 2025

News

County adopts cost-saving policy

Ouray County commissioners have adopted a new austerity policy meant to help save costs during a tight budget year. Commissioners started talking abou...

November 12, 2025

News

Hurd introduces House bill to transfer Crystal Reservoir to Ouray

U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd has introduced legislation to transfer ownership of Crystal Reservoir from the U.S. Forest Service to the city of Ouray, identical...

November 4, 2025

News

City attorney resigns

Ouray City Attorney Carol Viner is retiring from her position with the city after nearly a decade. During a Sept. 2 city council meeting, Mayor Ethan ...

September 5, 2025

News

City seeks options to reduce wildfire danger, without federal funds

Ouray city leaders are exploring other ways to address dead, fallen trees littering neighborhoods and hillsides now that it's unclear when a large-sca...

September 5, 2025

News

Hickenlooper hears concerns from constituents

U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper encouraged Ouray County nonprofits and public officials to persevere, find ways to do more with less money and look for op...

August 29, 2025

News

Crashes spur calls for change

Zoe Denison has a front row seat to the perils of traveling on U.S. Highway 550. Drivers have crashed through the wildlife fence separating the highwa...

August 20, 2025

News briefs

Ouray County included in potential wolf release area Ouray County could be selected for the state's next site for wolf reintroduction, according to an...

July 30, 2025

News

Some tips on evacuating in case of an emergency

If an emergency happens in Ouray County and evacuation is required, one of the best things you can do is sign up for emergency alerts ahead of time so...

June 18, 2025

Main, News...

Ridgway to grow capacity to fight wildland fires

Additional staff, engine can enhance skills, create more revenue

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

December 3, 2025

Ridgway’s wildland firefighters have mopped up hotspots in Nevada, fought wildfire on the front lines in California and protected structures at home in Colorado. Since the Ridgway Fire Protection Dist...

Main, News...

County chops event center operations to aid budget

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

December 3, 2025

Ouray County is performing triage on its 2026 budget as 2025 revenues are coming in lower than expected, placing even more pressure on the county’s general fund savings. County leaders have been worki...

News

New council’s first task: Fill vacancies

After soliciting applications, councilors to interview, pick appointments Jan. 5

December 3, 2025

Ouray city leaders swore in a new mayor and city councilor Monday night, then turned their attention to the council’s most pressing issue: Finding and appointing two more councilors to fill out the ra...

News

Slow start to snow season

Wave of storms helps, but snowpack in San Juans well below normal

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

December 3, 2025

A series of post-Thanksgiving storms delivered desperately needed snow to the moisture-starved San Juans, but snowpack at the start of December remains well below average in Ouray County and the surro...

News

SEASON OF SHARING

Ridgway Ouray Community Council

December 3, 2025

Editor's note: The Ouray County Plaindealer is continuing its tradition of featuring nonprofit organizations based in Ouray County, serving Ouray County in a series of profiles called Season of Sharin...

LIA SALVATIERRA

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines