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Columns, Opinion...
On grudges, ‘close to the bone’ journalism and being human
By Erin McIntyre 
February 7, 2024
Last week, Mike and I took a moment for lunch at a local restaurant, sitting in a daze while we began planning the next edition. Thursday is a day of recovery, a day I feel hungover from the exhaustio...
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Despite January powder, Ouray still in snow deficit
Columns, Opinion...
Despite January powder, Ouray still in snow deficit
By Karen Risch 
January 24, 2024
It’s the last week of January and it’s been a strange weather roller coaster of a month. But then, last year was strange, too. Four warm days averaging nearly 40 degrees and little snow on the ground ...
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The local news minefield: tough decisions, lessons learned
Columns, Opinion...
The local news minefield: tough decisions, lessons learned
January 24, 2024
EDITORIAL: FROM THE PUBLISHERS Publishing a small newspaper feels like tiptoeing through a minefield each week. We debate the smallest details to identify potential hazards before taking a step. In th...
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A new chapter in old story of uranium in Uravan
Columns, Opinion...
A new chapter in old story of uranium in Uravan
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
January 10, 2024
Do you own a piece of uranium glass? This green-tinted “Vaseline” glass from the 1930s can be found in flea markets, antique shops, and online. Yes, it is radioactive, and it might be connected to min...
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White Christmas the gift we desperately need
Columns, Opinion...
White Christmas the gift we desperately need
By Karen Risch 
December 20, 2023
Today is the low point of the sun’s trajectory across the Northern Hemisphere. Sunlight increases tomorrow through June 21, 2024. Twenty-first century Americans celebrate at Christmas, as the ancient ...
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Frank Carney’s legacy remains visible in Ouray
Columns, Feature...
Frank Carney’s legacy remains visible in Ouray
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
December 13, 2023
Francis (Frank) Carney was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1846. After emigrating to the United States in 1859, he completed schooling in Corning and Watkins, New York. The family moved to New Y...
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A warm, dry November gives way to winter
Columns
A warm, dry November gives way to winter
By Karen Risch 
November 29, 2023
Meteorological winter begins tomorrow. Never mind that it’s felt like winter the last couple of weeks. Nighttime temperatures recently descended into single digits. Snow lingers on the ground, coverin...
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2023 started cold and wet. It’s ending frighteningly dry
Columns, Opinion...
2023 started cold and wet. It’s ending frighteningly dry
October 25, 2023
The year 2023 may be remembered for weather and climate whiplash. In Ouray, the first six months were cold, gray and abnormally wet. As the 10th month closes, the city is on track to end the year in d...
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Nucla’s fascinating history goes beyond nuclear energy
Columns, Feature...
Nucla’s fascinating history goes beyond nuclear energy
October 18, 2023
What is in a name? If you have assumed that the West End town of Nucla was named for its role in nuclear energy, think again. The community’s name was from the founders’ dream of a cooperative communi...
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Monsoon was MIA this year. What’s in store next?
Columns, Opinion...
Monsoon was MIA this year. What’s in store next?
By Karen Risch 
September 27, 2023
This year's minimal monsoon made a couple of short appearances this month, but overall just 0.97 inches of rain fell, 48% of the new normal, 2.04 inches. These recent storms sparked dry lightning and ...
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Birds of Ouray County: The remarkable vision of birds
Columns, Feature...
Birds of Ouray County: The remarkable vision of birds
By Sue Hirshman 
September 20, 2023
On average, birds can see Two or three times more Sharply than humans – David Allen Sibley I always wondered why birds always seem to notice me before I see them. I would be birding and just when I sp...
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Dry, hot summer gives way to fall’s bounty
Columns, Opinion...
Dry, hot summer gives way to fall’s bounty
By Karen Risch 
August 30, 2023
As you read this, the first day of meteorological autumn arrives Friday, Sept. 1. Not that the weather will change drastically, but these last few cool mornings and evenings have certainly felt differ...
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Columns, Opinion...
From the publisher: Bear with us during this bumpy transition
By Erin McIntyre 
August 16, 2023
Readers, we owe you an apology. We knew the transition to a new website and a change in our e-edition delivery system and format might be a little bumpy. But I promise we did not know it would be so r...
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Ouray Miners’ Hospital: A dream becomes reality
Columns, Feature...
Ouray Miners’ Hospital: A dream becomes reality
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
August 9, 2023
During the last half of the 19th century, prospectors found gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc in the northern San Juan Mountains. The news spread quickly, and thousands more came to this region. How...
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Columns, Opinion...
OURAY COUNTY LOOKING BACK
July 12, 2023
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Columns, Opinion...
OURAY COUNTY LOOKING BACK
July 5, 2023
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Columns, Opinion...
OURAY COUNTY LOOKING BACK
June 28, 2023
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The most elegant wildflower: Western Red Columbine
Columns, Feature...
The most elegant wildflower: Western Red Columbine
June 28, 2023
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Columns, Opinion...
OURAY COUNTY LOOKING BACK
By News Staff 
June 28, 2023
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Columns, Opinion...
OURAY COUNTY LOOKING BACK
June 21, 2023
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Editor Picks
News
Nine vying to fill two openings on Ouray City Council
Council will use ranked choice voting to select councilors
By Mike Wiggins 
January 2, 2026
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect council applicant Ashley Hineline's recent job change. The three-member Ouray City Council will have plenty of options to choose from when it deci...
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Years after acquittal, man gets prison in second case
News
TOP STORIES OF THE YEAR: BRIAN SCRANTON CONVICTED OF SEX ASSAULT
Years after acquittal, man gets prison in second case
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
December 31, 2025
Editor’s note: This story contains details about a sex assault case. Ten years after he was first arrested for alleged sex assault in Ouray County, a Ridgway man was convicted in another sex assault c...
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County endures year of resignations, infighting
News
TOP STORIES OF THE YEAR: TUMULT WITHIN TOP RANKS OF COUNTY
County endures year of resignations, infighting
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
December 31, 2025
Ouray County government weathered a year of turmoil and transition in 2025, and ended the year hopeful that its new top leader would bring a fresh perspective and stability. County commissioners ended...
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After tear down and rebuild, agency again faces upheaval
News
TOP STORIES OF THE YEAR: POLICE TURMOIL CONTINUES
After tear down and rebuild, agency again faces upheaval
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
December 31, 2025
After more than a year of turmoil that consumed 2024 and bled over into the first quarter of 2025, the Ouray Police Department underwent a complete tear down and transition under an interim police chi...
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Looking Back
Looking Back, Opinion...
Looking Back
By Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 
December 31, 2025
60 Years Ago December 30, 1965 What can we expect to happen to our pocketbook in 1966? Here are some clues gleaned from the 43rd Annual National Agricultural Outlook Conference held in Washington D.C....
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First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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