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Main, News

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

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

City administrator to lead Ouray police chief search

By Mike Wiggins

January 21, 2026

Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer told city councilors Tuesday she will take charge of recruiting a new police chief. That’s a different approach than the city took when it was looking for a p...

Main, News...

Judge delays assault trials

Attorneys say they're not ready; cases will be heard by Montrose juries

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

January 21, 2026

The trials for two men accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Ouray County in 2023 have been postponed, even as the woman and the judge presiding over the cases expressed concerns about ...

News

New county manager tackles big ticket items

Mendez focused on 2027 budget, team building

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 21, 2026

Ouray County’s new manager wants commissioners to start thinking about the county’s 2027 budget now — just two weeks into 2026 and three weeks into his new job. During Antonio Mendez’s first work sess...

Feature

Film showcases climber’s return to sport

'Anna' documents how Ouray-based Pfaff pushed ahead after amputation of toes

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 21, 2026

Anna Pfaff’s choice to move onward and, especially upward, resonates beyond world-class peaks in a locally made film on the elite Ouray-based climber. "Anna" is a 22-minute portrait of Pfaff’s return ...

News

Ridgway shelves anti-idling ordinance

Citing concerns, town will instead explore zones where running vehicles would be prohibited

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

January 21, 2026

The Ridgway Town Council last week rejected a proposed ordinance aimed at outlawing idling vehicles on public property, citing concerns including enforcement difficulties. The council instead decided ...

LIA SALVATIERRA

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines