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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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Rain on burn scar triggers flooding, evacuation

Hydrologist: Above-average rain forecast through September

By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com

July 29, 2026

Heavy rainfall over scorched soil sent flash floods raging down Cutler Creek on Sunday night, spilling mud down through Ponderosa Village and briefly shuttering U.S. Highway 550. The torrent of water ...

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Fire scorches bottom lines

Reliant on summer tourism, reeling businesses running out of time to claw back lost revenue

July 29, 2026

It didn’t take but a spark and a stiff breeze to turn Justin Mitchell’s summer upside down. During the first few hours of the Gold Mountain Fire, Mitchell — who runs a horseback guiding outfit in the ...

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Governments team up on flood mitigation

City, nonprofits pitch in $165,000, while financially pinched county searches for more funding

By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

July 29, 2026

Government agencies and nonprofit organizations have begun stepping up to help Ouray County pay to protect homes and roads from flooding and mudslides in the aftermath of the Gold Mountain Fire. The O...

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River managers ‘wait with bated breath’ for management plan

Federal government set to release highly anticipated details of its proposal for water cuts, key reservoirs, and the water supply for millions of people

By Shannon Mullane The Colorado Sun

July 29, 2026

Max Wilson, like water managers around the Colorado River Basin, spent Monday waiting for a new federal report outlining the river’s future — and future water cuts. He watched the federal website wher...

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Ridgway-area homes featured on Home Trust tour

By Plaindealer Staff Report Plaindealer@ouraynews.com

July 29, 2026

An eclectic mix of Ridgway-area houses are on the Home Trust of Ouray County's tour this weekend, with homeowners opening their homes to participants to help raise funds for affordable housing. This y...

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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines