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Main, News...
Long lost llamas recovered
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
November 1, 2024
It’s homecoming season for two llamas, who went missing back in July along the high crests of the West Fork of the Cimarron. The condition of Clavio and Cisneros after they were retrieved: “Excellent,...
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Main, News...
Mooove ’em out
October 30, 2024
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Main, News...
Dual rate changes on horizon
SMPA access charge would go up in January, followed by tiered energy rate in May
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 30, 2024
The San Miguel Power Association board of directors will vote next month on whether to approve a pair of rate changes aimed at generating more revenue to help offset continued increases in operational...
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Main, News...
Statements: Padgett demeaning, hostile
At least 3 county workers tell investigator commissioner treats employees poorly
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
October 30, 2024
At least three more Ouray County employees have submitted statements criticizing County Commissioner Lynn Padgett's behavior, as part of an investigation sparked by the road and bridge superintendent'...
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Main, News...
Alpinist remembered by hometown friends
Sixteen years after his father died in ascent, Ridgway native Michael Gardner dies on Nepal peak
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 23, 2024
Michael Gardner chose courage as consistently as he stirred it in others. It was clear, as seven Ridgway High School alumni traded stories of their late childhood friend, that his gentle fearlessness ...
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Complaint filed against commissioner
Main, News...
Complaint filed against commissioner
County road superintendent alleges harassment; Padgett counters it 'smacks of politics'
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
October 17, 2024
Ouray County's road and bridge superintendent has filed an official workplace complaint against County Commissioner Lynn Padgett, making it public just as ballots were sent out for the Nov. 5 election...
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Main, News...
CRYSTAL RESERVOIR
Senator vows to go to bat for Ouray
During visit, Bennet says he'll help draft bill to transfer ownership of reservoir to city
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 16, 2024
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet said he will draft a bill to transfer ownership of Crystal Reservoir to the city of Ouray, a move that could help secure the long-term future of the reservoir, which was drawn...
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City enlists senator’s help to try to acquire Crystal Reservoir
Main, News...
City enlists senator’s help to try to acquire Crystal Reservoir
By By Mike Wiggins, Erin McIntyre and Lia Salvatierra mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com lia@ouraynews.com 
October 9, 2024
The fight over a beloved, partially drained reservoir may be resolved in Congress, as the city of Ouray has requested help from U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet to try to acquire Crystal Reservoir, the Full M...
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Main, News...
HILLS OF GOLD
October 2, 2024
Erin McIntyre — Ouray County Plaindealer The fall colors are spectacular on Red Mountain south of Ouray and across the San Juans. This photo shows the golden aspen trees on the hillside above some his...
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High court overrules county judge
Main, News...
High court overrules county judge
Evidence can be used in alleged sex assault case involving ex-police chief's home
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
October 2, 2024
The Colorado Supreme Court has overturned a county court judge's decision to punish the district attorney's office for not following evidence rules and prohibit evidence not provided to the defense by...
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Main, News...
County OKs new rental rules
Over objections from some, ordinance increases permits, stiffens regulations
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
October 2, 2024
Ouray County commissioners unanimously adopted a new short-term rental ordinance Tuesday despite an outpouring of concern from some current permit holders who said the new ordinance is ambiguous. Ten ...
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Main, News...
‘Ridgway doesn’t really have a cohesive story’
Businesses strategize, regroup, seek help after slow summer
By By Mike Wiggins, Erin McIntyre and Lia Salvatierra mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com lia@ouraynews.com 
September 25, 2024
Since opening The Vault in Ouray in 2017, Sally Jo Ocasio has moved her vintage clothing and goods store four times. She survived a fire that wiped out her storefront at one location and dodged a 25% ...
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Main, News...
DA resigns, citing toll on health
Seth Ryan, who was set for re-election in November, laments workload, turnover
By Erin McIntyre and Mike Wiggins erin@ouraynews.com mike@ouraynews.com 
September 25, 2024
Seventh Judicial District Attorney Seth Ryan announced on Monday he's resigning from his position effective Oct. 31, days before he would have won re-election. The Republican incumbent was running uno...
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Main, News...
FAWNING OVER YOU
September 19, 2024
This unusually colored fawn pictured here with its twin is called a piebald deer, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife terrestrial biologist Alyssa Kircher. The white pattern is a result of a gene...
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Affordable rentals project gets $100K boost from Ouray
Main, News...
Affordable rentals project gets $100K boost from Ouray
Oak Street project could break ground in spring
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 18, 2024
The Ouray City Council unanimously agreed Monday to donate $100,000 toward an affordable housing project on Oak Street, boosting the chances it will break ground next spring. The money will go to the ...
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Main, News...
Gravel crushing proposed near homes
County will weigh cost savings against impacts to Whispering Pines
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 18, 2024
Ouray County commissioners are considering a proposal from the road and bridge superintendent for a gravel crushing operation across from the Whispering Pines subdivision that could create around a mo...
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EYES ON THE SKY
Main, News...
NEIGHBORS AND HELPERS
EYES ON THE SKY
Daily dedication of Ouray County's weather observers helps sustain decades of data, inform region's climate history
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 4, 2024
Every morning, Karen Risch drinks a cup of coffee, puts on a sun, rain or snow hat and heads to her yard. She checks eight different instruments to collect weather data: gathering temperature highs an...
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Ex-police chief to sue Ouray
Main
Ex-police chief to sue Ouray
Wood alleges city violated free speech, due process rights
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
September 4, 2024
Former Ouray Police Chief Jeff Wood plans to sue the city of Ouray, alleging city leaders violated Wood’s constitutional rights when then-City Administrator Silas Clarke fired Wood in June. In a notic...
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FULFILLING PAT’S DREAM
Feature, Main...
FULFILLING PAT’S DREAM
The Old Firehouse aims to realize philanthropist Pat O’Leary’s vision of a gathering space that preserves history and boosts the economy
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
August 28, 2024
Pat O’Leary isn’t here. But his spirit, his fingerprints, are everywhere at the corner of North Lena and Clinton streets in Ridgway. The grand piano in the community event space that he learned to pla...
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Main, News...
Governor affirms disaster
Written declaration will free up funds in aftermath of flooding
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 28, 2024
Gov. Jared Polis issued a verbal executive order declaring a countywide emergency disaster in Ouray County last week, which will be followed by a written declaration within the month detailing the ext...
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News
Local briefs: Ridgway appoints two to sustainability board, updates marshal overtime policy
Town seeks bike park design proposals, moves forward with pre-approved ADU plan designs
By James Hanlon 
September 17, 2026
New members appointed to sustainability board The Ridgway Town Council appointed Terry Schuyler and Christiane Frischmuth to the Ridgway Sustainability Advisory Board after brief interviews at the Sep...
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County: Layoffs likely
Main, News...
County: Layoffs likely
Commissioners, administrators warn of job cuts to close $1.5 million gap; staff criticizes leaders for not addressing problem earlier
By James Hanlon 
September 16, 2026
Ouray County will likely need to lay off employees to make up a projected $1.5 million gap between requested expenses and revenue next year, county officials warned at a budget workshop on Sept. 9. Th...
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Main, News...
Disaster tax not ‘backfill’ for fire costs, leaders say
By Chart Riggall 
September 16, 2026
In the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s declaration of the Gold Mountain Fire as a major federal disaster, Ouray County commissioners say the potential influx of additional federal funds doesn't ...
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News
Town considers options for sewer plant location
By James Hanlon 
September 16, 2026
The Ridgway Town Council wants to see some dollar estimates before deciding where to build a new wastewater treatment plant. Town staff briefed the council on three possible locations north of town at...
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News
City prepared to pay fees for housing project
Despite some councilors' misgivings, Ouray in line to give more money to deed-restricted apartment complex
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 16, 2026
The city of Ouray is set to provide up to $225,000 to a nonprofit organization to cover water and sewer tap and building permit fees for a 13-unit affordable housing project. At City Administrator Mic...
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Ouray County Plaindealer
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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

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Ridgway CO 81432

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