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A second COVID-19 outbreak has been identified at the Ouray Silver Mines, where the company’s top executive estimated half of all employees may have a...

December 29, 2020

News

No. 9 top story of 2020 : Protests reach Ouray County

As marches and protests for racial justice were held in cities around the country this summer, local students organized events attended by several hun...

December 29, 2020

Covid

County announces six new COVID-19 cases

Six Ouray County residents have tested positive for coronavirus in the last week, bringing the county's total to 154 cases, Emergency Manager Glenn Bo...

December 28, 2020

Covid

Second outbreak reported at Ouray Silver Mines

Editor's note: This story has been updated with more information about the outbreak A second COVID-19 outbreak has been identified at the Ouray Silver...

December 24, 2020

Covid

County wonât pursue ratings program for now

A program touted by the governor and modeled on Mesa County’s efforts to allow larger capacity in local businesses following COVID-19 protocols won’t ...

December 24, 2020

Covid

Vaccine a gift for new year?

Ouray County could receive its first 100 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by the end of December, Public Health Director Tanner Kingery said. The first v...

December 17, 2020

Covid

Virus hits church

Father Nat Foshage typically spends Sunday morning preparing for mass, waiting to welcome parishioners into St. Daniel the Prophet Catholic Church in ...

December 17, 2020

Covid

County preps for vaccine

Ouray County is shopping for ultracold freezers to store COVID-19 vaccines, in anticipation of receiving doses early next year. “Help is in fact on th...

December 3, 2020

Covid

âGet us back to yellow’

Ouray County officials are struggling to promote COVID-19 precautions and compliance with tighter restrictions as pandemic fatigue increases. During a...

December 3, 2020

Covid

Testing expands in region

Ouray County Public Health has expanded eligibility for COVID-19 testing, citing increased availability of tests for people without symptoms as case n...

November 25, 2020

Main, News...

Pilot dies in reservoir crash

Accident under investigation; man honored with procession

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

An experienced firefighting pilot who was pulling water from Silver Jack Reservoir to battle the Gold Mountain Fire died Sunday when his helicopter plunged into the reservoir northeast of Ridgway. Nic...

Main, News...

Heights, heat add to firefighters’ strain

By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

Hotshot Jesse Eaves calls it “The Great Race.” At the small tent city along U.S. Highway 550, Eaves starts each day with a 5 a.m. wakeup call. Thus begins an eight-minute sprint for him and his Califo...

News

County approves hiring fire recovery manager — if it can find funding

By Mike Wiggins and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

Ouray County intends to hire an employee who can help lead the county’s efforts to recover from the Gold Mountain Fire — assuming it can find funding. County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agree...

News

Trust, county close to conserving open space park

Grants, donations put nonprofit on brink of acquiring Silver Mountain Mine property

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

July 15, 2026

Ouray County is much closer to getting a new open space park on the Silver Mountain Mine property. The Trust for Land Restoration has received a $180,000 Great Outdoors Colorado grant. Couple that wit...

News

Man gets probation, community service in sex assault case

One of three defendants, Whittington admits to giving alcohol to minor

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

July 15, 2026

A former Ouray County man was sentenced Monday to one year of unsupervised probation for providing alcohol to a then-17-year-old girl who said she was sexually assaulted by two others at the former Ou...

Liz Teitz

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines