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Main, News...
EMS plans to shift staff, save costs
Chief seeks to rely less on higher-paid paramedics
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 11, 2026
Ouray County Emergency Medical Services wants to implement a new staffing structure this spring to save costs and prepare for a combined fire and emergency services authority. During a Jan. 28 work se...
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Formerly a cash cow, bloom wilts on cannabis
Main, News...
Formerly a cash cow, bloom wilts on cannabis
Industry slump marked by reduction in wholesale flower prices leaves just one grow facility in county, shaves local government tax revenue
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 11, 2026
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Michael Cox is the former general manager for Dalwhinnie Group, the landlord for Dalwhinnie Farms. The cannabis industry’s downturn has rea...
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New county manager seeks to lead with heart
Main, News...
New county manager seeks to lead with heart
After careers in big cities and large governments, Antonio Mendez is shifting his perspective
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 4, 2026
Ouray County is unlike most places Antonio Mendez has lived or worked before, and Mendez brings experience unlike the county has seen in two decades, or possibly ever. Ouray County’s new manager grew ...
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City leader pulls police from patrol duty
Main, News...
City leader pulls police from patrol duty
Administrator cites concerns about training, liability; sheriff's office assumes full control of services in Ouray
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
February 4, 2026
Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer has pulled the police department’s two remaining officers off of patrol duty and reassigned them to administrative tasks, citing concerns about liability and ...
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Onward and upward
Main, News...
Onward and upward
January 28, 2026
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Main, News...
Town prepares for legal battle
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
January 28, 2026
Editor's note: This article has been corrected to reflect that Ridgway Lodge LLC is the owner of MTN Lodge. Ridgway retains attorney after MTN Lodge owners say they won't pay taxes on long-term worker...
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Main, News...
County eyes budget cuts
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
January 28, 2026
Manager: Looking for ways to avoid cutting employees Ouray County leaders have loosely settled on wanting to cut $500,000 from the county’s 2026 budget, anticipating they will have more unexpected exp...
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ICE FARMERS GET THEIR CROP
Main, News...
ICE FARMERS GET THEIR CROP
A long-awaited cold snap allows Ice Park to open, just in time for festival
By LIA SALVATIERRA 
January 21, 2026
After weeks of planning for the worst, the Ouray Ice Park has ice to offer after all, just in time for the 31st Ice Festival this weekend. Ice Park Executive Director Peter O’Neil has spent the past t...
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Judge delays assault trials
Main, News...
Judge delays assault trials
Attorneys say they're not ready; cases will be heard by Montrose juries
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
January 21, 2026
The trials for two men accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Ouray County in 2023 have been postponed, even as the woman and the judge presiding over the cases expressed concerns about ...
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Ice Park to open, resurrecting season after weeks of warm temperatures
Main, News...
Ice Park to open, resurrecting season after weeks of warm temperatures
By LIA SALVATIERRA 
January 20, 2026
After weeks of planning for the worst, the Ouray Ice Park has ice to offer after all, just in time for the 31st Ice Festival this weekend. Ice Park Executive Director Peter O’Neil has spent the past t...
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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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Unaffiliated county candidates announce election campaigns
Main, News...
Unaffiliated county candidates announce election campaigns
First-timers Todd, Oakland seek clerk, treasurer posts
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
January 7, 2026
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to specify that Glenn Boyd volunteers for the county EMS department. A group of unaffiliated political candidates joined together this week to announce the...
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Main, News...
Mild temps leave Ice Park high, dry
Without key ingredient — ice — and no estimated opening date, officials forced to reimagine festivals
By By Lia Salvatierra and Mike Wiggins lia@ouraynews.com mike@ouraynews.com 
January 7, 2026
The half-bare walls of the Uncompahgre Gorge tell a story Peter O’Neil wanted no part of — one of 50-degree December days and out-of-work rangers and ice farmers scrambling to find other sources of in...
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Schiffer, Doherty picked for council
Main, News...
Schiffer, Doherty picked for council
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
January 7, 2026
Ouray Planning Commissioner Kevin Schiffer and former city building inspector Dave Doherty were selected Monday to fill the two vacancies on the Ouray City Council, restoring a full slate of elected o...
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Oh, what fun it is to dance
Main, News...
Oh, what fun it is to dance
December 24, 2025
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Affordable housing nonprofit to expand across state
Main, News...
Affordable housing nonprofit to expand across state
Telluride-based Rural Homes plans to build 120 new units in 2026, but future of Ouray project unclear
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
December 24, 2025
Telluride-based Rural Homes is entering a new era of affordable housing work across the state after bringing on a new CEO and looking beyond pilot projects in Ouray and San Miguel counties. The afford...
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Dispute over extended background check leads to Ouray police chief’s last day
Main, News...
Dispute over extended background check leads to Ouray police chief’s last day
City administrator declines to make interim chief permanent
By Mike Wiggins 
December 17, 2025
Ouray Interim Police Chief Daric Harvey is leaving his job over his objections to City Administrator Michelle Metteer’s insistence that he undergo a second, more extensive background check to determin...
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Commissioners fight over board leadership position
Main, News...
Commissioners fight over board leadership position
Niece to serve as chairperson after he, Nauer reject requests from Padgett's backers to appoint her
By By Lia Salvatierra and Erin McIntyre lia@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
December 17, 2025
For the second year in a row, Ouray County commissioners fought over who should serve as board chairperson, rejecting requests from supporters of Commissioner Lynn Padgett to appoint her to the positi...
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Editor Picks
News
County navigating federal assistance program changes
Human Services seeks to avoid burdening families with creation of regional hubs
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
February 11, 2026
Ouray County officials are working to figure out what it will mean for clients needing food and other assistance when the Colorado Department of Human Services consolidates resources by creating multi...
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News
Crosswalk project bids over budget
City could cut costs or seek more money from state
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
February 11, 2026
Ouray city officials are weighing next steps after a trio of bids to build a pair of pedestrian crosswalks and other improvements at either end of town exceeded the project budget. Public Works Direct...
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Wine Fest returns to Ouray
Feature
Wine Fest returns to Ouray
By Plaindealer Staff Report Plaindealer@ouraynews.com 
February 11, 2026
The fourth annual Ouray Winter Wine Festival just happens to fall on Valentine's Day this year. And that means not only will there be wine — there will be flowers, chocolate and more goodies to help s...
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Columns
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Avoid idling cars, make street pedestrian mall
February 11, 2026
Dear Editor: On a beautiful, warm winter day I propped open the front door of the Decker Room at the Art Space on Clinton Street. My intention was to invite in the sun and any passersby who might be e...
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Seeing isn’t always believing: Improve your news literacy on Feb. 22
Columns
Seeing isn’t always believing: Improve your news literacy on Feb. 22
By Erin McIntyre 
February 11, 2026
"I'll believe it when I see it" and "seeing is believing" are two phrases that haven't aged well. Nowadays, I'm skeptical of videos friends send me, photos that look like someone manipulated them and ...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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