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

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...

Lizteitz

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines