Author - News

Covid

A decision on whether to implement a new mask mandate won’t be made until the end of January, more than a month into the latest COVID-19 surge. Last w...

January 19, 2022

News

Short-term rental enforcement outsourced

Ouray County and the city of Ouray have hired a California company to handle short-term rental enforcement, in an effort to identify and crack down on...

January 13, 2022

News

County approves variance for camping permit

Ouray County commissioners approved a variance allowing an Elk Meadows property owner to apply for a long-term camping permit on a lot that does not m...

January 13, 2022

News

SKIJORING RIDES AGAIN

[tecnavia_gallery slug='skijoring-rides-again-gallery' view='carousel']Months before the skiers and riders arrived at Saturday's skijoring competition...

January 13, 2022

Covid

County to consider mask mandate

Ouray County commissioners plan to meet with city, town and school officials this month to discuss requiring masks in indoor places amid an ongoing sp...

January 13, 2022

Covid

COVID cases surge to record high

Almost 100 Ouray County residents have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days, and active cases currently make up almost 15% of all cases re...

January 6, 2022

News

A broken link in the supply chain

Tammee Tuttle is used to sporadic challenges getting ingredients or supplies for the True Grit Cafe. In some years, fires or floods have interfered wi...

January 6, 2022

Covid

Ouray County reports spike in COVID cases

Ouray County is reporting a spike in COVID-19 cases and a surge in testing demand, with 37 positive cases in the last 10 days. Emergency Manager Glen...

December 29, 2021

News

Stories of the year No. 4: Labor shortages hamper businesses, schools

Every parking space was full, and lines stretched out doors and around corners. It was the peak of summer tourism season in Ouray, with visitors hungr...

December 24, 2021

News

Stories of the year No. 3: Ouray tries to solve affordable housing issues

Ouray’s affordable housing issues aren’t new, but they came into the spotlight more than ever before in 2021 as locals clamored for changes amid climb...

December 24, 2021

Main, News...

UPDATE: Pilot in fatal crash identified as Canadian man

Investigation underway to determine cause of crash at Silver Jack Reservoir

By Mike

July 13, 2026

Editor's note: This story has been changed to correctly indicate the change in the team overseeing the fire response. The pilot who died when his aircraft went down in Silver Jack Reservoir Sunday was...

News

Firefighting aircraft goes down in Silver Jack

Body of pilot recovered from crash scene by dive team late Sunday

By Plaindealer Staff

July 12, 2026

An aircraft fighting the Gold Mountain Fire went down in Silver Jack Reservoir in southwestern Gunnison County on Sunday night and the body of the pilot has been recovered from the crash. One person w...

Main, News...

Firefighters gain ground on Gold Mountain Fire

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...

Main, News...

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...

News

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 ...

Liz Teitz

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines