Author - News

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

News

Ridgway municipal election results

Ridgway will keep its long-time mayor and add a new face to its town council. According to initial election results from the town released late Tuesda...

April 8, 2026

News

Ouray man killed in accident

A 34-year-old Ouray man died in a two-vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 550 south of Ridgway last night, which is still under investigation. Alixzander...

April 7, 2026

Main, News...

Several homes damaged, 17 people rescued from flooding

By Mike Wiggins

July 30, 2026

At least 17 people were rescued from flooding and debris flows in the Cutler Creek area between Ridgway and Ouray on Wednesday night, authorities said this morning. At least three homes in Ponderosa V...

Main, News...

Evacuations ordered near Cutler Creek as rain pummels burn scar

Oak Street closed due to mud, flooding

By Mike

July 29, 2026

UPDATE, 9:45 p.m. U.S. Highway 550 reopened between Ridgway and Ouray Wednesday night, authorities announced at 9:15 p.m. Emergency officials encouraged motorists to be cautions when driving through a...

Main, News...

Rain on burn scar triggers flooding, evacuation

Hydrologist: Above-average rain forecast through September

By Chart Riggall

July 29, 2026

Heavy rainfall over scorched soil sent flash floods raging down Cutler Creek on Sunday night, spilling mud down through Ponderosa Village and briefly shuttering U.S. Highway 550. The torrent of water ...

Main, News...

Fire scorches bottom lines

Reliant on summer tourism, reeling businesses running out of time to claw back lost revenue

By Mike Wiggins, Chart Riggall and Erin McIntyre

July 29, 2026

It didn’t take but a spark and a stiff breeze to turn Justin Mitchell’s summer upside down. During the first few hours of the Gold Mountain Fire, Mitchell — who runs a horseback guiding outfit in the ...

News

Governments team up on flood mitigation

City, nonprofits pitch in $165,000, while financially pinched county searches for more funding

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

July 29, 2026

Government agencies and nonprofit organizations have begun stepping up to help Ouray County pay to protect homes and roads from flooding and mudslides in the aftermath of the Gold Mountain Fire. The O...

Plaindealer Staff

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines