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Columns, Opinion...
FROM THE PUBLISHERS
A peek behind the Plaindealer curtain
October 16, 2024
Sometimes, you can't win. You're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. It's important for us to be transparent with readers about newsroom ethical debates we hold, and we wanted to share a few of...
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Columns, Feature...
The origins of Dallas: Scottish word or little-known VP?
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
October 9, 2024
Do vice presidents leave a legacy? Many historians believe that Vice President George Mifflin Dallas certainly did here in Ouray County. Today you can find a creek, a mountain, a pass, a company and a...
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Columns, Opinion...
Bask in warm autumn days before winter’s chill
By Karen Risch 
September 25, 2024
It’s raining on a late September Saturday afternoon and a cold 48 degrees as I begin this column. Pristine snow drapes the mountains above timberline. A remarkable gardening season ends at 7,736 feet ...
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Columns, Opinion...
PLAINDEALER EDITORIAL
What do you want to ask the candidates? Let us know
September 18, 2024
We all know this year's election is a big one, nationally. But locally, we have one contested race for county commissioner, House District 58 and Senate District 6 races and a bunch of statewide ballo...
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Origins of ‘Danny Boy’ found in the U.K. — and Ouray
Columns, Opinion...
Origins of ‘Danny Boy’ found in the U.K. — and Ouray
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
September 11, 2024
“Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling From glen to glen, and down the mountain side The summer’s gone, and all the roses falling, It’s you, it’s you must go, and I must bide.” The history o...
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August monsoon continues year of extremes
Columns, Opinion...
August monsoon continues year of extremes
By Karen Risch 
August 28, 2024
Last Sunday, Ouray’s wet August weather definitively broke the old precipitation record for the month, 5.28 inches, set during the serious flood year of 1982, when both Portland and Cascade Creeks cau...
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Ouray deserves accountability, transparency
Columns, Opinion...
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Ouray deserves accountability, transparency
By Erin McIntyre 
July 31, 2024
Some folks might be tempted to think the biggest problem with the Ouray Police Department has been solved, because the city fired the chief. They think the trash has been taken out, so to speak. But s...
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Early monsoon a welcome prelude to dry July
Columns
Early monsoon a welcome prelude to dry July
By Karen Risch 
July 24, 2024
During this summer, like last year’s, it’s not just Earth’s cities and countrysides that are swelteringly hot. The oceans, which cover 70% of the planet, are too. Science writer and essayist David Wal...
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Columns, Opinion...
FROM THE PUBLISHERS
A welcome boost for local news
July 10, 2024
Being in the Plaindealer staff box that appears at the bottom of this page most every week has felt a little lonely this year. For more than five months, the only names you’ve seen there are ours and ...
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Falls a natural marvel and tribute to pathfinder
Columns, Opinion...
Falls a natural marvel and tribute to pathfinder
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
July 10, 2024
The mineral rush was on! Prospectors found gold, silver and other mineral deposits in the northern San Juan Mountains in the years following the Civil War. The historic Red Mountain Mining District ex...
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County may be small, but climate varies widely here
Columns, Opinion...
County may be small, but climate varies widely here
By Karen Risch 
June 26, 2024
It’s easy to forget how small Ouray County is, both in population (4,874 2020 census) and land area (542 square miles). It’s only 37 road miles but 4,717 feet of elevation difference from Colona (6,36...
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Adventurers, problem-solvers long drawn to this area
Columns, Opinion...
Adventurers, problem-solvers long drawn to this area
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
June 12, 2024
Ouray County’s diverse landscape includes high alpine mountains, the headwaters of the Uncompahgre River, wind-swept valleys, and the Uncompahgre Plateau. From its earliest days, Ouray County has attr...
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May unusually cool, but summer looks warm, dry
Columns, Opinion...
May unusually cool, but summer looks warm, dry
May 29, 2024
Summer 2024 could make perennial climate change deniers finally take global warming/weirding seriously. In many farflung places — as well as close to home on this beautiful but very stressed planet — ...
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A rare chance to celebrate twin anniversaries
Columns, Opinion...
A rare chance to celebrate twin anniversaries
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
May 8, 2024
Think back to the summer of 1976. Assuming you were alive, where were you? Did you see a fireworks show, go to a concert, visit Washington D.C., watch a parade, or wear red, white, and blue? Fifty yea...
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Biological spring arriving earlier here and elsewhere
Columns, Feature...
Biological spring arriving earlier here and elsewhere
By Karen Risch 
April 24, 2024
The bees are back, hugging the grape hyacinths and dandelions, buzzing me as I work. I am living a gardener’s dream. It’s not quite 60 degrees, my carefully nurtured earth in this mountain place is fi...
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Atop Imogene Pass, a remnant of old labor wars
Columns, Opinion...
Atop Imogene Pass, a remnant of old labor wars
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
April 10, 2024
News of gold and silver discoveries brought fortune-seekers to the northern San Juan Mountains in the late 1800s. After the Silver Crash of 1893, gold took over as the primary mineral produced high ab...
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From the publishers: Councilor’s threat won’t work
Columns, Opinion...
From the publishers: Councilor’s threat won’t work
By Erin McIntyre 
March 20, 2024
The ominous note came in an envelope with an advertising bill. Instead of payment, the sender included the message on personalized stationery, the kind of notepad one would use for a grocery list or a...
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Columns, Opinion...
Guest column: Darkness reigns during Sunshine Week
By Jeff Roberts and Steve Zansberg Special to the Plaindealer 
March 20, 2024
Irony is the juxtaposition of one conceptual proposition with a directly contrary reality, like a “vegetarian butcher” or something that’s “seriously funny.” Or the swift enactment — during Sunshine W...
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John Gunnison helped guide West Slope settlement
Columns, Feature...
John Gunnison helped guide West Slope settlement
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
March 13, 2024
Animal hides, skins and pelts were in demand worldwide as the 19th century began. Trappers roamed the Rocky Mountains hunting and trapping for decades, but each year brought increasing challenges. By ...
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After extra winter day, what will spring bring?
Columns, Opinion...
After extra winter day, what will spring bring?
By Karen Risch 
February 28, 2024
Leap year 2024: An extra day — Feb. 29 — for most of us, a once-in-four years’ birthday for a select few. We can thank the ancient Egyptians for this essential astronomical invention, according to a f...
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Editor Picks
Field of dreams realized
Main, News...
Field of dreams realized
Community celebrates opening of new $4 million athletic complex
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
September 17, 2025
The runners pounded out miles on dirt trails, gravel roads and sidewalks ringing public parks. They launched themselves over hurdles in carpeted hallways of the school, sometimes crashing into the met...
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Ouray to ditch large downtown signs
Main, News...
Ouray to ditch large downtown signs
Public pans signs as out of place, will review smaller prototypes
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 17, 2025
The city of Ouray is prepared to scrap a series of new large signs installed this summer in the downtown core meant to direct drivers to various locations in favor of smaller signs, acceding to reside...
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News
Councilors: Ouray residents, company need to do better securing trash
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 17, 2025
With bears loading up on calories in preparation for hibernation, some Ouray city councilors said they're looking for both residents and the city's trash services provider to do better to ensure bears...
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News
County looks to curb 2026 budget
Plan calls for 2.5% cost-of-living employee salary increase; sheriff pulls request for additional deputy
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 17, 2025
After years of growth, Ouray County leaders are working together to find ways to rein in or hold costs steady in 2026. During a special work session Tuesday, county officials looked at an early draft ...
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News
Ridgway may expand wildland fire operations
Fire district contemplates adding two positions, new engine
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 17, 2025
The Ridgway Fire Protection District is looking to expand its wildland firefighting capabilities by hiring two new positions and buying a new, top-tier wildland fire engine. Expanding the department’s...
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First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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