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Evacuation area expanded east of Ridgway, Ouray to discuss July 4 plans

The city of Ouray is open but staff is not actively marketing to bring visitors to the area, City Administrator Michelle Metteer said this morning. “W...

June 30, 2026

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Woman sentenced to probation in retaliation case

A former Ouray woman was ordered Thursday to spend two years on probation for retaliating against a woman who accused her son of sexual assault in 202...

May 8, 2026

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City to examine pool house funding options

The city of Ouray is taking the first step toward potentially drumming up funding to repair or replace the bathhouse at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool. Th...

May 6, 2026

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City retains employment law attorney

The Ouray City Council unanimously agreed Monday to retain an attorney who specializes in employment law. The city is enlisting the services of Denver...

May 6, 2026

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City to spend $25K on alternative July 4 entertainment

The city of Ouray will spend $25,000 on additional entertainment for the Fourth of July, in case the traditional nighttime fireworks display is curtai...

April 29, 2026

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Sex assault trial delayed for third time

The trial for a man charged with sexually assaulting a then-17-year-old girl in Ouray County in 2023 has been postponed for a third time. Nate Dieffen...

April 15, 2026

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Sheriff’s office takes on policing for city, meeting scheduled tonight

The Ouray County Sheriff’s Office has assumed full responsibility for law enforcement services in the city of Ouray after City Administrator Michelle ...

February 2, 2026

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City administrator to lead Ouray police chief search

Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer told city councilors Tuesday she will take charge of recruiting a new police chief. That’s a different appro...

January 21, 2026

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Trials in sex assault case delayed

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 Whit...

January 16, 2026

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 ...

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Water providers ask customers to pull back

Ridgway enacts mandatory irrigation restrictions

By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

July 8, 2026

Water managers in Ouray County are asking residents to curtail water use and avoid putting more demand on their distribution systems in light of the Gold Mountain Fire and ongoing tinder-dry condition...

Mike Wiggins

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines