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Owl Creek Pass, Silver Jack Reservoir areas reopen after fire

The closure area associated with the Gold Mountain Fire was reduced on Tuesday, reopening several roads and recreation areas in time for fall color se...

September 16, 2026

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Local news briefs

Ouray library to add outdoor drop box The Ouray Public Library will install a book return drop box outside the Ouray Community Center, allowing patron...

July 22, 2026

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Fall tax increase question still a possibility

Ouray County commissioners indicated last week they are still interested in asking voters this fall to approve a use tax to raise money for road and b...

July 22, 2026

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County changes, reopens some mandatory evacuated areas

Ouray County officials changed the evacuation status for some areas on Wednesday, as firefighters gained more control of the Gold Mountain Fire. Zones...

July 22, 2026

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Firefighting aircraft goes down in Silver Jack

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 pil...

July 12, 2026

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County hires finance director

An economist and finance strategist has been hired as Ouray County's chief financial officer. Ouray County announced this week it has hired Jason Schr...

June 10, 2026

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Primary ballots mailed to voters

Ouray County voters should begin receiving ballots in the mail this week in advance of the June 30 primary election. Most of the competition for the p...

June 10, 2026

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Town seeks millions in federal money for sewer plant

Ridgway is asking for $2.25 million in congressionally directed spending to rebuild part of its sewer plant to comply with state standards. The fundin...

April 22, 2026

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Man arrested at Ridgway restaurant

A Montrose man was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Ridgway after the Montrose Police Department asked the Ridgway Marshal’s Office for assistance in det...

April 22, 2026

Main, News...

‘This is the challenge that I needed in my life’

Ouray Ice Park's new executive director trims staff, seeks more buy-in from recreational climbers amid financial crunch

By Chart Riggall

October 21, 2026

In the waning weeks of the 2019 ice climbing season, a 27-year-old Tres Barbatelli stood at the bottom of the Uncompahgre Gorge wondering what he’d just done. Minutes before, he’d rappelled down into ...

Main, News...

Police department dissolved

Council turns over services to sheriff; remaining employee laid off

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

October 21, 2026

The city of Ouray terminated the sole employee of its police department and turned over its police services to the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, officially dissolving a stand-alone law enf...

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Paramedic fired after three months’ leave

Commissioners pause refilling second EMS vacancy

By James Hanlon

October 21, 2026

A paramedic for Ouray County Emergency Medical Services, who has been on administrative leave since the Gold Mountain Fire, was fired last week after a meeting with county administration went awry. Jo...

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County wraps up draft budget without layoffs

Initial plan leaves five positions vacant, reduces some departmental hours

By James Hanlon

October 21, 2026

Ouray County’s draft budget for next year proposes five staff reductions from general fund departments – all of which are currently vacant positions. The positions are from administration, the assesso...

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Veteran transport program approved

October 21, 2026

After resolving concerns about an intergovernmental agreement with San Miguel County, Ouray County commissioners approved a new partnership last week that will transport veterans to medical appointmen...

Plaindealer Staff

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines