Author - News

Covid

Stories of the year No. 1: Vaccine arrives, but challenges remain

Editor's note: The story of the vaccine arriving in Ouray County was the top story of 2021. This week's edition features 10 top stories from the past ...

December 24, 2021

Covid

Stories of the year No. 2: Restrictions loosen, events and visitors return

The arrival and availability of COVID vaccines brought a gradual end to most of the state’s pandemic restrictions on businesses and gatherings, allowi...

December 24, 2021

News

Stories of the year No. 8: Space to Create finally breaks ground

More than five years after Ridgway was selected for an affordable housing project, ground broke on the Space to Create building this summer. When comp...

December 24, 2021

News

State funding fuels housing proposals

A second Ridgway development project has received a Colorado Community Revitalization Grant from the state, while a major Ouray development has receiv...

December 23, 2021

News

State requires schools to raise taxes

Both Ouray County school districts will be required by the state to begin increasing their mill levies annually for the next nine years under a mandat...

December 16, 2021

News

Ouray extends RV permit program

Ouray will continue to allow local workers to camp in recreational vehicles in the city through next November, though only one employer used the progr...

December 9, 2021

Covid

COVID cases climb after holiday

After nearly a week with only one new COVID case, Ouray County reported eight new cases Monday, which Public Health Director Tanner Kingery attributed...

December 9, 2021

News

Panel OKs Ridgway townhome project

The Ridgway Planning Commission voted Tuesday to recommend approval of six new townhouses on Charles Street after two lengthy discussions about design...

December 1, 2021

News

Dog survives deer attack

[tecnavia_gallery slug='dog-survives-deer-attack-gallery' view='carousel']John Randolph will never forget the sound. Just minutes after letting his do...

December 1, 2021

Covid

Performance venues shift COVID protocols

Two performing arts venues in Ouray County have split on requirements for attendees as local COVID case numbers remain high: Ouray’s Wright Opera Hous...

November 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