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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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Sweet sounds of summer

June 24, 2026

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County to pursue use tax

Likely ballot measure would raise money for roads, EMS

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

June 24, 2026

Ouray County voters likely will be asked this fall to approve a use tax on both new vehicle purchases and construction material purchases, with most of the tax dollars going to the county’s Road and B...

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Will fire authority ease insurance woes?

Experts say consolidation may not help homeowners gain, keep coverage

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 24, 2026

Home insurance experts say the proposed consolidation of fire and emergency services in Ouray County may not necessarily help homeowners gain and keep insurance coverage. Leaders of the possible conso...

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Celebration honors past, looks to future

Ranch History Museum marks 20th birthday Saturday with expansion preview

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 24, 2026

The Ouray County Ranch History Museum is celebrating its 20th birthday with a preview of what it wants to be when it grows up. During a celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 27, survey stakes and...

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Ridgway council seeks more efficient meetings

After recent heated tone, councilors emphasize preserving casual culture

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 24, 2026

Ridgway town councilors want to run meetings more efficiently while preserving the council’s casual culture. After trying out informal strategies to shorten the length of meetings, the council may con...

LIA SALVATIERRA

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines