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Calendar & Events, Feature

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 28 Community potluck, 5 p.m. in the Decker Room, 675 Clinton St. in Ridgway. Bring a dish to share or take what you need, donations ac...

November 26, 2025

Main, News

‘There’s not a day where I don’t do something impactful’

Editor’s note: There’s a proposal to start a community paramedicine program here in Ouray County, and we wanted to know more about how these kinds of ...

November 19, 2025

Main, News

Commissioner: ‘My patience is gone’

Ouray County Commissioner Michelle Nauer has asked Commissioner Lynn Padgett to take a "timeout" and attend meetings by Zoom while the county makes le...

November 19, 2025

News

Police chief, sheriff urge Ouray council to rethink strict response time policy

The Ouray City Council on Monday pitched and then quickly ditched a proposal to require police officers to live within 10 miles and a 10-minute drive ...

November 19, 2025

News

SMPA approves rate increases

The San Miguel Power Association board of directors on Tuesday approved dual rate increases in 2026 for the second year in a row, as the rural electri...

November 19, 2025

News

Ridgway hires North Carolina agency for tourism, marketing

The town of Ridgway has hired a North Carolina-based agency for its tourism and marketing services, choosing an outside perspective familiar with rura...

November 19, 2025

News

Ouray to set aside funding for down payment help

The city of Ouray will earmark up to $100,000 in 2026 for a down payment assistance program aimed at helping middle-income homebuyers who make too muc...

November 19, 2025

News

Town moves toward anti-idling rules

Editor’s note: This has been corrected to accurately reflect the council's vote on the ordinance. Ridgway town councilors gave initial approval to a n...

November 19, 2025

News

Outgoing mayor offers blunt assessment of election, state of affairs in Ouray

With just a few days left in his tenure, outgoing Ouray Mayor Ethan Funk on Monday lamented the lack of city council candidates in this month’s electi...

November 19, 2025

Feature

George and Michael Gardner Fund

Editor's note: The Ouray County Plaindealer is continuing its tradition of featuring nonprofit organizations based in Ouray County, serving Ouray Coun...

November 19, 2025

Feature, Main...

After hiatus, a rally for high school baseball in Ridgway

Sporting nearly 30-year-old jerseys, pilot junior varsity team takes field, aims for long-term viability through fundraising

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 15, 2026

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect when Ridgway School District last had a baseball team, given updated information provided by Ouray County Baseball after the story was published. ...

Main

Zero-waste policy draws public fire

Council tables proposal for compostable, recyclable materials over concerns from business owners, community groups

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

April 15, 2026

Ridgway town councilors tabled a draft “zero-waste” policy for events on town property after public backlash about how the rules would impact business owners and community groups. The proposal discuss...

Main, News...

Administrator sought info backing chief decision

Records: Officers concerned about training

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

April 15, 2026

Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer sought input from neighboring law enforcement agencies about how they conduct background checks — after she decided not to hire Daric Harvey as the permanent ...

Feature

Track and field returns to Grand Junction

April 15, 2026

News

County renews water lease for fourth year

By LIA SALVATIERRA

April 15, 2026

Ouray County commissioners signed off on an agreement Tuesday to lease and help pay for backup water to support the county’s irrigators for a fourth year. The lease secures a 2021 no-call agreement be...

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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines