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Ridgway council votes to explore all-electric rules with grant money

The Ridgway Town Council has decided it’s willing to take a chance on a grant-funded public process in pursuit of an all-electric building code for ne...

June 12, 2026

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County to provide free reproductive health services

Ouray County Public Health will now provide free reproductive health services for patients under 25 years old, under new agreements approved by county...

June 10, 2026

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No-idling ordinance stalls after months of debate

“Idle-Free Ridgway” remains a motto, rather than a rule after the town council voted down final approval for an anti-idling ordinance that drew zealou...

May 14, 2026

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Beetle Mania

In some parts of Ouray County it may look like popcorn grows on trees. The milky, honey-colored pocks on the trunks of ponderosa pines and other trees...

May 6, 2026

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County appoints new planning commissioner

Ouray County commissioners unanimously appointed Danika Gilbert to the county Planning Commission on Tuesday. Gilbert will take the seat of Jennifer C...

April 29, 2026

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Mine owners to address cleanup efforts at meeting

For the first time in eight years, the owner of the Idarado Mine is joining the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership for a public update on its cleanup e...

April 22, 2026

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County renews water lease for fourth year

Ouray County commissioners signed off on an agreement Tuesday to lease and help pay for backup water to support the county’s irrigators for a fourth y...

April 15, 2026

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Ditch users, county at impasse about culvert

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to more precisely reflect the condition of the culvert the ditch owners want replaced. A group of rancher...

April 15, 2026

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Planned EV chargers move to Visitor Center

During an April 8 meeting, the Ridgway Town Council agreed to move a charging station planned for the Ouray County 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds to...

April 15, 2026

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Town to sue MTN Lodge owners

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

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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...

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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...

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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 ...

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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...

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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...

LIA SALVATIERRA

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines