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1884 ‘Big Snow’ a reminder: Careful what you wish for
Columns, Feature...
1884 ‘Big Snow’ a reminder: Careful what you wish for
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
January 14, 2026
So far this winter we have had a reprieve from icy sidewalks and snow shoveling — a far cry from what Silverton experienced with the legendary "Big Snow” in March 1884. We are complaining about the pe...
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Birdwatching: An equal opportunity hobby for the family
Columns, Feature...
Birdwatching: An equal opportunity hobby for the family
By Mary Menz Special to the Plaindealer 
January 14, 2026
Birdwatching is one of the most accessible hobbies for people of all ages. Little special equipment is required, though beginners often find binoculars and a guidebook to help them identify bird speci...
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‘I want to see them get to the most terrifying part of the climb … and see them complete it’
Columns, Feature...
PREP ROUNDUP
‘I want to see them get to the most terrifying part of the climb … and see them complete it’
By By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer 
December 31, 2025
Ridgway coach Jonny Zaugg dedicated to helping young c limbers of all skill levels When Jonny Zaugg returned to Ridgway several years ago, he saw an opportunity to give back to the community and be th...
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From start to finish, a too-warm, too-dry 2025
Columns, Opinion...
From start to finish, a too-warm, too-dry 2025
December 24, 2025
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Wunderground’s “meteorologists qualify a white Christmas as one with at least an inch of snow on the ground [SOG] on Christmas morning,” (Hayden Marshall and Jonathan Er...
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Ridgway coach aims to honor grandfather’s legacy while forging own identity
Columns, Feature...
PREP ROUNDUP
Ridgway coach aims to honor grandfather’s legacy while forging own identity
By By Bernie Pearce Special to the Plaindealer 
December 24, 2025
The Hills are alive with the sound of coaching, as Scott “Scotty” Hill received his indoctrination to the Ridgway High School coaching ranks at the San Juan Mountain Madness basketball tournament earl...
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Columns, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Column about election integrity not worth space in newspaper
December 17, 2025
Dear Editor: The Dec. 4-10 edition of the Plaindealer made me realize just how long it’s been since that moniker has had anything to do with the paper’s content. And now it appears, with the publicati...
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How a cook and mining engineers saved the Liberty Bell Mine
Columns, Opinion...
How a cook and mining engineers saved the Liberty Bell Mine
December 17, 2025
The winter of 1905-06 was a dangerous time for the high-altitude mines above Telluride as snowstorm after snowstorm hit the region. Just four years earlier, the infamous 1902 "White Death" avalanche h...
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Columns, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Two types of ‘creative’ people, 15 years apart
December 17, 2025
Dear Editor: I read the dichotomous reports in the Ouray County Plaindealer, Dec. 11, 2025, issue, which define two types of Ridgway's “creative” people. One was the person who recently asked the Ridg...
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Young Ridgway squad marked by stifling defense
Columns, Feature...
PREP ROUNDUP
Young Ridgway squad marked by stifling defense
By By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer 
December 10, 2025
Certain career milestones set apart high school basketball players, the most well-known being 1,000 points. But on the defensive end, there’s an equivalent figure, with 300 career steals signifying a ...
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New era launches for Ouray basketball
Columns, Feature...
PREP ROUNDUP
New era launches for Ouray basketball
By By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer 
December 3, 2025
Before the Thanksgiving holiday, Ouray High School hosted its “Meet the Trojans” night, akin to a college's Midnight Madness event to celebrate the start of basketball season. On a night with at least...
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In San Juans, a case of winter whiplash
Columns, Opinion...
In San Juans, a case of winter whiplash
By Karen Risch 
November 26, 2025
Ouray finally woke up to its first measurable snowfall Monday, Nov. 24. While waiting for the magic of winter’s arrival, late or not, I found myself wondering: Would this 2025-2026 season’s first meas...
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Join us Friday for film, talk about local news inspiration, challenges
Columns, Opinion...
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Join us Friday for film, talk about local news inspiration, challenges
By Erin McIntyre 
November 12, 2025
I still can’t believe we own a newspaper. It feels silly to type that sentence. We’re almost seven years into being the caretakers of this community institution, publishing for 148 years. And yet, it ...
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A civilized Thanksgiving at an uncivilized time
Columns, Opinion...
A civilized Thanksgiving at an uncivilized time
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
November 12, 2025
Was the famed "Outlaw Thanksgiving" in Brown’s Park history or simply a tall tale? According to Ann Bassett, the "Queen of the Cattle Rustlers," it was a Thanksgiving feast for the ages, hosted by non...
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As daylight dwindles, how can we curb energy use?
Columns, Opinion...
As daylight dwindles, how can we curb energy use?
By Karen Risch 
November 5, 2025
Ouray’s first frost occurred Oct. 17, three weeks after the average frost date, Sept. 26. It was a fitting end to a hot, droughty summer. Occasional downpours helped but were no substitute for a full ...
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On the course, they’re competitors. On weekends, they’re training partners
Columns, Feature...
PREP ROUNDUP
On the course, they’re competitors. On weekends, they’re training partners
By By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer 
October 29, 2025
Separately, the Ridgway, Ouray and Telluride High School cross country teams are among the smallest in the state. Each is successful in their own right — especially ahead of the state championship rac...
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As fall championships approach, a look back at memorable moments for Ridgway, Ouray
Columns, Feature...
PREP ROUNDUP
As fall championships approach, a look back at memorable moments for Ridgway, Ouray
By By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer 
October 22, 2025
In my career as a journalist, I’ve covered dozens of state championship games and events. At this point, it might even be in the triple digits — and there are a handful of things they all have in comm...
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Young Ouray volleyball squad showing progress
Columns, Feature...
PREP ROUNDUP
Young Ouray volleyball squad showing progress
By By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer 
October 15, 2025
The second win of the season is rarely cause for celebration. But when the Ouray High School volleyball team defeated Pinnacle 25-18, 25-18, 20-25, 26-24 on Saturday, it secured the program’s best fin...
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How the San Juans got their name from an early trailblazer
Columns, Feature...
How the San Juans got their name from an early trailblazer
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
October 8, 2025
The San Juan Mountains are not just a mountain range; they are the jagged, breathtaking spine of southwestern Colorado. This is a land of untamed peaks, alpine meadows and sheer rock faces. Our mighty...
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Run, don’t walk: How a Ridgway athlete is improving dramatically
Columns, Feature...
PREP ROUNDUP
Run, don’t walk: How a Ridgway athlete is improving dramatically
By By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer 
October 8, 2025
Orion Catron first ran because he really, really didn’t want to walk. As a freshman at Ridgway High School, he wasn’t connecting with classmates or pushing himself. “I think my parents recognized this...
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After abnormally hot, dry summer, what will fall bring?
Columns, Opinion...
After abnormally hot, dry summer, what will fall bring?
By Karen Risch 
September 24, 2025
Halfway through Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, at 12:22 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time, astronomical summer officially yielded to autumn. Seasonal change has been a nagging presence. It’s nearly dark by 7 p.m O...
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Editor Picks
News
Trials in sex assault case delayed
By Mike Wiggins 
January 16, 2026
The trials for two men accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Ouray County in 2023 have been postponed. Gabriel Trujillo and Ashton Whittington were set to go to trial starting Feb. 9, b...
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Welcome to the snow-deo
Main, News...
Welcome to the snow-deo
January 14, 2026
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Public: Rebuild Ouray PD
Main, News...
Public: Rebuild Ouray PD
Residents seek retention of independent agency after departure of interim chief
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
January 14, 2026
Ouray residents sent a clear message this week: They want to maintain an independent police department instead of permanently relying on the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement. Faced wi...
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Tax questions linger as lodge proceeds with housing plans
Main, News...
Tax questions linger as lodge proceeds with housing plans
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
January 14, 2026
MTN Lodge in Ridgway is moving forward with plans to convert the hotel to workforce housing for four years starting in February, though the town has yet to cement an agreement with the owners about pa...
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News
County OKs permit for guest ranch
Stipulations require Gold Mountain to account for bighorn sheep
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
January 14, 2026
Gold Mountain Ranch will be allowed to operate a guest ranch in Ouray County, and county commissioners hope the special-use permit they approved in December will allay community concerns about wildlif...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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