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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 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

Trials in sex assault case delayed

By Mike Wiggins

January 16, 2026

The trials for two men accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Ouray County in 2023 have been postponed. Gabriel Trujillo and Ashton Whittington were set to go to trial starting Feb. 9, b...

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Welcome to the snow-deo

January 14, 2026

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Public: Rebuild Ouray PD

Residents seek retention of independent agency after departure of interim chief

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

January 14, 2026

Ouray residents sent a clear message this week: They want to maintain an independent police department instead of permanently relying on the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement. Faced wi...

Main, News...

Tax questions linger as lodge proceeds with housing plans

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 14, 2026

MTN Lodge in Ridgway is moving forward with plans to convert the hotel to workforce housing for four years starting in February, though the town has yet to cement an agreement with the owners about pa...

News

County OKs permit for guest ranch

Stipulations require Gold Mountain to account for bighorn sheep

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

January 14, 2026

Gold Mountain Ranch will be allowed to operate a guest ranch in Ouray County, and county commissioners hope the special-use permit they approved in December will allay community concerns about wildlif...

LIA SALVATIERRA

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines