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Lawsuit accusing city of broken promises, defamation followed internal complaints against staff, councilor
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
June 10, 2026
The Ouray Police Department’s sole sworn officer has filed a lawsuit against the city, accusing city officials of broken promises, unprofessional behavior and defamation. The lawsuit follows a series ...
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SMPA executive advises of 'distinct possibility,' can't assure advanced notice
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
June 10, 2026
San Miguel Power Association customers could have power temporarily cut to their homes and businesses during high winds and other extreme weather events this summer to prevent electrical equipment fro...
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By Erin McIntyre 
June 5, 2026
A Ridgway man convicted of sexual assault by a Ouray County jury will spend at least four years in prison. Jeffrey Michael Inmon, 48, was convicted in a four-day jury trial in April. Jurors deliberate...
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Humane society takes over Delta shelter, seeks to rehome more animals
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 3, 2026
Second Chance Humane Society is adopting a new beast: another Western Slope animal shelter in Delta. The Ridgway-based nonprofit organization officially took the reins of the Delta Animal Shelter on M...
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Survey: Workers satisfied with bosses
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 3, 2026
Ouray County’s employees are largely happy with their direct supervisors and department heads and dissatisfied with the Board of County Commissioners, according to a recent anonymous staff survey. Som...
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Council concerned about budget impacts from rebuilding police department
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
June 3, 2026
The Ouray City Council is reversing course on rebuilding an independent police department, agreeing Monday to instead continue to rely on the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services...
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Ouray County schools celebrate graduation, with Ouray School graduating 12, Ridgway Secondary School graduating 20 students in the class of 2026
May 27, 2026
Ouray School graduation, photos by Erin McIntyre – Ouray County Plaindealer Ridgway Secondary School graduation, photos by Erin McIntyre – Ouray County Plaindealer
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County, city, town want OurWay shuttle to run more frequently, be more user-friendly
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 27, 2026
Ouray County’s three local governments are calling for the OurWay shuttle to run more often and become more user-friendly. Local government leaders want the Montrose-to-Ouray service to run at least s...
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Ouray to retain on-call model, offer raises to officers, while sheriff leads hiring, training efforts
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
May 20, 2026
The city of Ouray will retain and rebuild its own independent police department but rely on Ouray County Sheriff Justin Perry to lead the hiring and training of its officers until a new police chief c...
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Ridgway's Hessler, Ouray's Skoloda win 3200-meter races; Demon girls finish second
By By Bernie Pearce Special to the Plaindealer 
May 20, 2026
LAKEWOOD — Both runners had established new personal bests and school records during the regular season. Both entered the state track and field championship ranked No. 1 in their respective classifica...
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A year after two daycares opened within affordable housing development, builder looks to replicate template in three other cities
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
The solution to the statewide childcare shortage might be here in Ouray County, where a blueprint for building childcare-ready affordable homes was drafted. It’s been a little more than a year since t...
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After commissioner claims 'toxicity,' manager says 4-H, courthouse spaces safe to use
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
Ouray County commissioner meeting rooms don’t have a mold problem, according to testing ordered after Commissioner Lynn Padgett said the facilities caused her to feel sick and used it as justification...
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Drought conditions prime for insect infestation in county, experts warn
By LIA SALVATIERRA 
May 6, 2026
In some parts of Ouray County it may look like popcorn grows on trees. The milky, honey-colored pocks on the trunks of ponderosa pines and other trees signal efforts to fend off their attackers: bark ...
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By By Mike Wiggins, Lia Salvatierra and Erin McIntyre lia@ouraynews.com mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
May 6, 2026
A state mandate requiring local governments to adopt stricter building rules to protect new and remodeled homes against wildfire has sparked varying reactions from elected officials in Ouray County. T...
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County's first full-scale training May 15 meant to 'test where our holes are'
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 29, 2026
Sirens will wail and residents will likely see emergency vehicles headed through Ridgway, up County Road 5 on May 15. Traffic will filter back into town, with residents headed to an evacuation center....
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Unable to reduce heavy metals in Red Mountain Creek, Newmont exploring building plant atop pass
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
April 29, 2026
The company that owns the Idarado Mine is exploring the idea of building a treatment plant on Red Mountain Pass to remove heavy metals from water flowing into Red Mountain Creek. Representatives from ...
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Council approves $286,568 contract to resurface, replace tiles in overlook pools in September
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
April 22, 2026
The city of Ouray will spend more than $280,000 to resurface the hottest soaking areas at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool this fall, a repair pool managers say is vital to maintaining one of the city’s mos...
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Rather than block access to upper Yankee Boy Basin, commissioners focus on managing, restoring
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 22, 2026
Ouray County has decided against closing the upper section of Yankee Boy Basin road to motorized traffic, and will work with the U.S. Forest Service and volunteer groups to keep drivers on the main ro...
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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. ...
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By LIA SALVATIERRA 
June 12, 2026
The Ridgway Town Council has decided it’s willing to take a chance on a grant-funded public process in pursuit of an all-electric building code for new construction. Councilors unanimously voted on We...
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By Plaindealer Staff 
June 10, 2026
An economist and finance strategist has been hired as Ouray County's chief financial officer. Ouray County announced this week it has hired Jason Schrock for the position and he will start in July. Ou...
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By LIA SALVATIERRA 
June 10, 2026
Ouray County Public Health will now provide free reproductive health services for patients under 25 years old, under new agreements approved by county commissioners Tuesday. The yearlong program calle...
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By Plaindealer Staff 
June 10, 2026
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 primary election is at the state and federal level....
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Feature
Seventh-annual Ouray International Film Festival returns to Wright Opera House June 18-21
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
June 10, 2026
In its seven years, the Ouray International Film Festival has hosted an assortment of special guests, from well-known screenwriters to up-and-coming directors. The event has screened films shot across...
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