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

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

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

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 ...

Lizteitz

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines