Author - News

Covid

No. 3 top story of 2020: Schools close, then reopen to restrictions

When the first coronavirus cases were identified in Colorado, Ouray and Ridgway schools closed for what was expected to be a short break for deep clea...

December 29, 2020

Covid

No. 4 top story of 2020: Tourists flock to Ouray, outdoors amid pandemic

Top 10: Tourists flock to Ouray and the backcountry amid pandemic With the pandemic shutting down many options for travelers this summer and fueling...

December 29, 2020

Covid

SHOT OF HOPE

After months of anticipation, Ouray County paramedics received the first COVID-19 vaccines in the county Wednesday, the first step toward a long-await...

December 24, 2020

Covid

In a year of cancellations, Santa and his helpers carry on

[tecnavia_gallery slug='in-a-year-of-cancellations-santa-and-his-helpers-carry-on-gallery' view='carousel']On Christmas Eve, five of Santa’s helpers w...

December 24, 2020

Covid

âWe want to finish what we startedâ

When the Colorado National Guard first dispatched two members to Ouray County to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic this spring, they found resourc...

December 10, 2020

Covid

Community fund offers a lifeline

When the Ouray County Response Fund launched in March, Mony Garriga helped hang up signs advertising it. She posted one near the firehouse in Ridgway,...

December 10, 2020

Covid

Reopening Ridgway schools a laborious process

As she read through the state's guidelines for reopening schools during the pandemic, Ridgway Elementary School music teacher Diane Brand tried to ima...

September 10, 2020

Covid

Staying close to home

Faced with the choice between online classes and returning to campus this fall, John Countryman and his family decided to choose both. His three oldes...

September 10, 2020

News

Trials in sex assault case delayed

By Mike Wiggins

January 16, 2026

The trials for two men accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Ouray County in 2023 have been postponed. Gabriel Trujillo and Ashton Whittington were set to go to trial starting Feb. 9, b...

Main, News...

Welcome to the snow-deo

January 14, 2026

Main, News...

Public: Rebuild Ouray PD

Residents seek retention of independent agency after departure of interim chief

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

January 14, 2026

Ouray residents sent a clear message this week: They want to maintain an independent police department instead of permanently relying on the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement. Faced wi...

Main, News...

Tax questions linger as lodge proceeds with housing plans

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 14, 2026

MTN Lodge in Ridgway is moving forward with plans to convert the hotel to workforce housing for four years starting in February, though the town has yet to cement an agreement with the owners about pa...

News

County OKs permit for guest ranch

Stipulations require Gold Mountain to account for bighorn sheep

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

January 14, 2026

Gold Mountain Ranch will be allowed to operate a guest ranch in Ouray County, and county commissioners hope the special-use permit they approved in December will allay community concerns about wildlif...

Lizteitz

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines