Author - News

Opinion

50 YEARS AGO March 2, 1972 — Rumors romped all over Ouray this week, on the heels of news that Roland Hinkson has filed on 17 unpatented mining claims...

March 3, 2022

Opinion

CORRECTION

A story on Page 1 in the Feb. 17-23 edition incorrectly indicated San Juan Huts is a guide service. The business simply provides backcountry huts for ...

March 3, 2022

CR 5 situation shows some citizens ‘more equal’ than others

Dear Editor: There is a much larger, over-arching issue which is being missed regarding the situation on County Road 5. Are property owners behind the...

March 3, 2022

Columnist a true gentleman

Dear Editor: To all the readers who do or do not know the great Willie Richardson: You should know something about him from someone who does! There ar...

March 3, 2022

Something stinks on marijuana approval

Dear Editor: On May 25, 2021, the Ouray County commissioners approved Resolution No. 2021-017 placing a moratorium on the “acceptance of applications ...

March 3, 2022

Thanks for upkeep

Dear Editor: A huge thank you to the Ouray road crew members who have beenworking day and night to clear our streets during and after the recent storm...

March 3, 2022

Offended? Don’t read the column

Dear Editor: I find myself saddened by the letters to the editor attacking Willie and Sandy Richardson (and yes, they were attacking Sandy, too). Obvi...

March 3, 2022

Letters unfairly portrayed columnist

Dear Editor: I’m writing this in response to the recent letters to the editor about me and my column that were authored by Jen Donovan and Robyn Casca...

March 3, 2022

Covid

Ouray County schools plan to drop mask mandate

Ridgway and Ouray School Districts plan to make masks optional starting March 7. The change is in line with new guidance the Centers for Disease Cont...

February 28, 2022

News

Red Mountain Pass reopens after three-day closure

U.S. Highway 550 over Red Mountain Pass reopened Friday afternoon after a nearly 72-hour closure triggered by a multi-day snowstorm and avalanche dang...

February 25, 2022

Main, News...

New county manager seeks to lead with heart

After careers in big cities and large governments, Antonio Mendez is shifting his perspective

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

February 4, 2026

Ouray County is unlike most places Antonio Mendez has lived or worked before, and Mendez brings experience unlike the county has seen in two decades, or possibly ever. Ouray County’s new manager grew ...

Main, News...

City leader pulls police from patrol duty

Administrator cites concerns about training, liability; sheriff's office assumes full control of services in Ouray

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

February 4, 2026

Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer has pulled the police department’s two remaining officers off of patrol duty and reassigned them to administrative tasks, citing concerns about liability and ...

News

County considers asking voters for tax hike in November

Staff to research potential funding measures for EMS, road and bridge; sheriff won't seek question this fall

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

February 4, 2026

Ouray County leaders want to research and poll the public’s appetite for asking voters for more tax revenue, to raise additional money for the county’s Emergency Medical Services and the Road and Brid...

News

Ridgway gets initial OK for $1.34M grant

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

February 4, 2026

Ridgway has received initial approval for a $1.34 million grant to help it explore an all-electric building code for new construction and help electrify municipal operations, to lower its carbon footp...

Feature

Good for you! Uncompahgre STEAM Fair

February 4, 2026

The “Good For You!” page is a place for reader-submitted photos illustrating community, celebrations and more. Want to submit a photo for publication? Here are some guidelines for submissions: - This ...

News Staff

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines