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Dear Editor: I am writing in response to the letter, “Hateful flag waver welcome to leave,” written by Tom Heffernan and published in the March 9 edit...

March 22, 2023

Letters

Short-term rentals an unfair scapegoat

Dear Editor: Short-term rentals are a touchy subject, but it is very personal to us. Oftentimes STRs are considered the “evil twin” that is to blame f...

March 22, 2023

Letters

Tourists help pay for Ouray’s big bills

Dear Editor: Because Ouray’s industry is tourism, it means it’s a place people want to come, not just to visit but to live. It allows us to have excel...

March 22, 2023

Columns

OURAY COUNTY LOOKING BACK

50 YEARS AGO March 22, 1973 - Voting for rain, snow or sunshine could someday be as commonplace as electing a president, senator or mayor. Campaigns w...

March 22, 2023

Letters

Problems with Amerigas date back years

Dear Editor: Several years ago we had Amerigas propane service on Log Hill. We had regular issues with getting propane delivered during the winter. Wh...

March 15, 2023

News

NEWS BRIEFS

Ridgway and Ouray high school basketball athletes were honored with San Juan Basin League All- Conference awards after the end of the season. The foll...

March 15, 2023

Columns

OURAY COUNTY LOOKING BACK

50 YEARS AGO March 15, 1973 - Editorial: The March 6th news story from the Montrose Daily Press is reprinted, page five, this week, not for sympathy b...

March 15, 2023

Letters

Ridgway rental tax discussions rife with misperceptions

Dear Editor: As owner/operators of two of Ridgway’s longest running short-term rentals (STRs), we were shocked to learn at the March 8 Town Council me...

March 15, 2023

Obituaries

Dorothy E. Dougherty

March 15, 2023

Gas boiler would ruin what’s left of pool

Dear Editor: The Ouray Hot Springs Pool is a part of my worldly soul. That is truth, regardless of what you may think after you’ve read this. Protest ...

March 15, 2023

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...

News Staff

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines