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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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Ridgway hotel to convert to housing
Main, News...
Ridgway hotel to convert to housing
MTN Lodge owner: Change needed to sustain operations; town leaders worried
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 10, 2025
Ridgway’s largest hotel plans to convert to construction and hotel workforce housing for a new Four Seasons development in Mountain Village for at least the next four years. MTN Lodge signed an agreem...
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Congress to consider Crystal Reservoir transfer
Main, News...
Congress to consider Crystal Reservoir transfer
Bill co-sponsored by Bennet, Hickenlooper introduced today
By By Erin McIntyre and Lia Salvatierra erin@ouraynews.com lia@ouraynews.com 
September 10, 2025
A bill to transfer ownership of Crystal Reservoir from the U.S. Forest Service to the city of Ouray was introduced in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, giving hope to supporters of re-filling the reservoi...
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No ifs, ands or bucks
Main, News...
No ifs, ands or bucks
September 3, 2025
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Senator gets earful from local leaders
Main, News...
Senator gets earful from local leaders
In face of funding turmoil, Hickenlooper urges officials to find creative solutions
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 3, 2025
U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper encouraged local nonprofit leaders and public officials to persevere, find ways to do more with less money and look for opportunities to change systems during a visit to Ou...
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Bears start packing on pounds
Main, News...
Bears start packing on pounds
Wildlife officials urge residents to avoid attracting bruins as they seek food before hibernating
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
August 27, 2025
Bears have entered the time of year where they seek food for at least 20 hours a day, trying to pack on the pounds before the first snow flies. The compulsive eating, called hyperphagia, helps prepare...
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Main, News...
Fatal crash on pass involved marijuana
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
August 27, 2025
The driver of the vehicle that went off Red Mountain Pass on Aug. 5 had a significant amount of marijuana in his system, according to toxicology results from his autopsy. Tests showed 42-year-old Loui...
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A weekend full of pride
Main
A weekend full of pride
August 20, 2025
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A fair to remember
Main, News...
A fair to remember
August 13, 2025
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Problems persist at sewer plant
Main, News...
Problems persist at sewer plant
City says it has fixed issue that triggered odors, but other troubles linger at $17M facility
By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
August 13, 2025
When Ouray's new wastewater treatment plant is working, no one seems to notice. The electrical panels, motors, pumps and other equipment inside the nondescript, earth-toned building at the northern en...
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Fired federal rangers return to backcountry
Main, News...
Fired federal rangers return to backcountry
Patrol, education duties look similar, only now county foots the bill
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 6, 2025
Kricket Olin pulled the side-by-side ATV over to a cluster of off-highway vehicles and leaned over the door, sticking her head in the neon helmet out the window. “Hi I’m Kricket, an alpine ranger with...
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Girl survives fatal accident
Main
Girl survives fatal accident
Three die in wrecks on Highway 550 on back-to-back days
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
August 6, 2025
An 11-year-old girl survived a car crash that killed two adults on Red Mountain Pass on Tuesday morning, after the vehicle she was riding in tumbled down a 320-foot cliff and landed on its roof in Red...
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Bill drafted to cede reservoir
Main, News...
Bill drafted to cede reservoir
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 30, 2025
Federal lawmakers are working on legislation to transfer Crystal Reservoir to the city of Ouray. The city received a draft of incomplete, boilerplate legislation last month that would grant it ownersh...
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Perfect swarm forms near state park
Main, News...
Perfect swarm forms near state park
Skipped spring mosquito treatment triggers complaints about pests
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 30, 2025
Complaints about increased mosquito activity near Ridgway State Park have prompted officials to ask what happened with preventative treatments, which usually happen in the spring and curb the populati...
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Town wins condemnation case
Main, News...
Town wins condemnation case
Judge: Ridgway proved trail 'serves a legitimate public purpose,' will pay property owner $45,000
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
July 30, 2025
The town of Ridgway will be allowed to condemn private property to build a trail from the River Park subdivision to Ridgway Secondary School. According to an order from Seventh Judicial Chief District...
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‘It just took off very quickly’
Main, News...
WILDFIRE DEVASTATES BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON
‘It just took off very quickly’
Hot, dry conditions preceded blaze, as park closure set to deliver financial hit
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 23, 2025
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON — Campgrounds filled with families just a matter of days before are surrounded by a web of spidery, blackened trees. Bare branches create windows between campsites where a...
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Ceremony ushers in new Ouray police era
Main, News...
Ceremony ushers in new Ouray police era
Audience greets trio of new officers with standing ovations, as chief emphasizes 'mindset of service'
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 23, 2025
Five months ago, tension and resentment filled the meeting room inside the Ouray Community Center. Frustrated Ouray police officers lashed out at city leaders during a work session for a perceived lac...
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Crews start to gain ground on South Rim Fire
Main, News...
Crews start to gain ground on South Rim Fire
By Lia Salvatierra 
July 18, 2025
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON – Firefighters finally began to gain ground Friday on the South Rim Fire burning in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, though a timeline for reopening the par...
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Hunting down the ghosts
Main, News...
Hunting down the ghosts
Veterans services officer finds and assists those who served with benefits, problems
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 16, 2025
During his time as a bus driver in Telluride, Mikael Madsen encountered many of his fellow veterans struggling to survive a Western Slope winter. At the time, Madsen was what he calls a military ghost...
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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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News
County’s first safety fair this weekend
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 17, 2025
Witness airbags explode, a medical helicopter landing and how to drive an excavator — all without harm or injury at Ouray County’s first safety fair on Saturday. The event, "Survival Games: Fun Ways N...
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News
Pickleball tournament hits Ridgway this weekend
Third-annual San Juan Slam raising funds for permanent courts
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 17, 2025
When members of the Ridgway Pickleball Club decided to launch a pickleball tournament two years ago, their biggest challenge was organizing it in just six weeks. Today, the challenge is accommodating ...
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First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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