Author - News

Main, News

The town of Ridgway is suing the owners of MTN Lodge, demanding they continue to pay lodging taxes while using their hotel as workforce housing over t...

March 27, 2026

Main, News

ICE FARMERS GET THEIR CROP

After weeks of planning for the worst, the Ouray Ice Park has ice to offer after all, just in time for the 31st Ice Festival this weekend. Ice Park Ex...

January 21, 2026

Main, News

Ice Park to open, resurrecting season after weeks of warm temperatures

After weeks of planning for the worst, the Ouray Ice Park has ice to offer after all, just in time for the 31st Ice Festival this weekend. Ice Park Ex...

January 20, 2026

News

Fire district adopts budget with expanded wildland program

The Ridgway Fire Protection District board of directors last week adopted a 2026 budget slightly larger than its 2025 budget, while expanding its wild...

December 24, 2025

News

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

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 ...

LIA SALVATIERRA

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines