Author - News

Covid

For five years, Carolyn Snowbarger watched as her Thanksgiving dinner grew, adding more chairs around the table. Last year, 37 people gathered at her ...

November 19, 2020

Covid

Ridgway rides out quarantine

Shawnn Row waited by his computer Tuesday morning, a Zoom window open and ready for students to pop in with questions. Instead of walking up to his de...

November 19, 2020

Covid

Governments rush to spend relief funds

Ouray County officials are working to spend more than $400,000 in federal coronavirus relief funds, including purchasing body cameras, technology and ...

November 12, 2020

Covid

With virus, more questions than answers

The day before I flew to Colorado in May, I spent a long evening at my grandma’s house, wearing a mask and talking from across the room, trying to fig...

September 30, 2020

Covid

Market through the roof

[tecnavia_gallery slug='market-through-the-roof-gallery' view='carousel']For years, Dana and Andy Rodes talked about retiring in Colorado. A Colorado ...

September 28, 2020

Covid

Rally calls for civility, features exchanges

A group of about 30 people gathered Saturday at Ridgway’s Hartwell Park for a “Freedom Rally,” many waving American flags and signs supporting Preside...

September 24, 2020

News

Housing project inches ahead

Ridgway’s long-awaited Space to Create apartment building, the first affordable housing project in the county, is expected to break ground this spring...

September 24, 2020

Covid

RETURNING TO HIS ROOTS

A few months before the coronavirus pandemic halted international travel, Anthony Disser was flying frequently to China and Saudi Arabia, consulting f...

September 17, 2020

News

Structures draw complaints, probe

An assortment of tiny homes and other non-conforming structures in Elk Meadows has drawn the attention of Ouray County after complaints from neighbors...

September 17, 2020

Covid

This is how he rolls

[tecnavia_gallery slug='this-is-how-he-rolls-gallery' view='carousel']Superintendent Tod Lokey brought a short yellow school bus to a stop on Whisperi...

September 3, 2020

Main, News...

City to keep police department

Ouray to retain on-call model, offer raises to officers, while sheriff leads hiring, training efforts

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

May 20, 2026

The city of Ouray will retain and rebuild its own independent police department but rely on Ouray County Sheriff Justin Perry to lead the hiring and training of its officers until a new police chief c...

Main, News...

Runners go the distance to claim state titles

Ridgway's Hessler, Ouray's Skoloda win 3200-meter races; Demon girls finish second

By By Bernie Pearce Special to the Plaindealer

May 20, 2026

LAKEWOOD — Both runners had established new personal bests and school records during the regular season. Both entered the state track and field championship ranked No. 1 in their respective classifica...

News

Ouray County EMS to raise fees

Charges for treatment, transport to increase for first time since 2018

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

May 20, 2026

Ouray County commissioners plan to raise fees for treatment and ambulance transports from Ouray County Emergency Medical Services starting in June. Commissioners reviewed proposed fee increases prepar...

News

Mass evacuation exercise tests county’s preparedness

Half-day event features volunteers feigning injuries, refusing to leave and generally creating chaos — in the name of training for a real emergency

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

May 20, 2026

At 9:28 a.m., Amy Clewell and her two pretend siblings gathered in her driveway in Elk Meadows, debating whether it was time to call for help. They watched a stream of law enforcement vehicles and fir...

News

Citizens organized against councilor

At least 14 people sent letters to council urging vote against Gulde appointment

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

May 20, 2026

Former Ouray City Councilor Tamara Gulde ran into an organized effort to keep her from returning to public office earlier this year after she lost the November race for mayor, then sought to fill a va...

Liz Teitz

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines