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Main
Zero-waste policy draws public fire
Council tables proposal for compostable, recyclable materials over concerns from business owners, community groups
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 15, 2026
Ridgway town councilors tabled a draft “zero-waste” policy for events on town property after public backlash about how the rules would impact business owners and community groups. The proposal discuss...
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Administrator sought info backing chief decision
Main, News...
Administrator sought info backing chief decision
Records: Officers concerned about training
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
April 15, 2026
Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer sought input from neighboring law enforcement agencies about how they conduct background checks — after she decided not to hire Daric Harvey as the permanent ...
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Easter egg hunters hop to it
Main, News...
Easter egg hunters hop to it
April 8, 2026
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Town mayor re-elected in landslide
Main, News...
Town mayor re-elected in landslide
Voters select incumbents Grambley, Scoville, newcomer Greenwood
By By Lia Salvatierra and Erin McIntyre lia@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
April 8, 2026
John Clark will continue serving as Ridgway mayor, defeating his only challenger in 14 years since he was first elected, newcomer Tia Mihelarakis. Clark received 321 votes to Mihelarakis’ 51 votes. Cl...
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Main, News...
Does Ouray need a new pool house? Council, public split
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
April 8, 2026
A series of tweaks to the design of a proposed new pool house at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool has exposed a deep divide among Ouray City Council members and the public over whether the city should proce...
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Ridgway sues MTN Lodge
Main, News...
Ridgway sues MTN Lodge
Town seeks payment of sales, lodging taxes; hotel calls lawsuit 'misguided'
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 1, 2026
The town of Ridgway is suing the owners of MTN Lodge over their plans to use the hotel as workforce housing for the next several years, aiming to suspend operations and demanding they pay lodging and ...
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Main, News...
Board rebukes commissioner
Niece, Nauer censure Padgett for secretly recording closed-door meeting
By By Lia Salvatierra and Erin McIntyre lia@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
April 1, 2026
Two Ouray County commissioners publicly reprimanded their fellow commissioner after discovering she secretly recorded an executive session last week. Portions of the audio from that executive session ...
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Main, News...
Proposed merger could make fire chief highest paid official
Latest draft bases members' voting power on financial contributions
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 1, 2026
The current proposal to combine fire and emergency medical services entities in Ouray County could eventually make the new fire chief the highest-paid public official in the county and may base partic...
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Town to sue MTN Lodge owners
Main, News...
Town to sue MTN Lodge owners
Council votes unanimously to pursue legal action over enforcing land use code, long-term housing at hotel
By LIA SALVATIERRA 
March 27, 2026
The town of Ridgway is suing the owners of MTN Lodge, demanding they continue to pay lodging taxes while using their hotel as workforce housing over the next four years. The lawsuit comes after months...
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Ridgway council candidates discuss issues at forum
Main, News...
Ridgway council candidates discuss issues at forum
Mihelarakis, Clark focus on sustainability, economy
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
March 25, 2026
Seasoned insights squared off with fresh perspective during an election forum last week as both of Ridgway’s mayoral candidates answered questions centered on their approaches to sustainability and fo...
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Sergeant slams city leaders
Main, News...
Sergeant slams city leaders
Troxell claims council, administrator mishandled police department; sheriff offers to hire, train officers
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
March 25, 2026
The lone remaining sworn officer in the Ouray Police Department criticized city leaders Tuesday for their management of the latest round of turmoil within the department, claiming City Administrator M...
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Views vary on electric building code, other issues
Main, News...
Views vary on electric building code, other issues
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
March 25, 2026
Ridgway Town Council candidates split last week over whether they support the potential adoption of an all-electric building code for new development in town, one of several hot topics at a candidate ...
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A christening for Cimarron Athletic Field
Main, News...
A christening for Cimarron Athletic Field
March 18, 2026
The Cimarron Athletic Field at Ridgway Secondary School hosted its inaugural meet with the Ridgway Invite on March 14. Ridgway senior Sophia Forrest won the girls' 100-meter dash with a time of 13.19....
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Race pits experience against new perspective
Main, News...
RIDGWAY MAYOR CANDIDATES
Race pits experience against new perspective
Clark proud of town's progress, aware of challenges
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
March 18, 2026
Even after 14 years serving as Ridgway's mayor, John Clark still thinks there's work to be done. He's served seven terms. Every two years, when his seat comes up for election, folks ask him if he want...
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Mihelarakis advocates for creatives in first bid for office
Main, News...
RIDGWAY MAYOR CANDIDATES
Mihelarakis advocates for creatives in first bid for office
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
March 18, 2026
Tia Mihelarakis believes the Ridgway Town Council deserves a leader with new perspectives — specifically those of creatives, renters and the younger generation. Mihelarakis, 34, is challenging Mayor J...
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Main, News...
Water leaders sound supply alarm
Record-low snowpack in San Juans, balmy temps portend meager runoff
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
March 18, 2026
State water managers Tuesday painted a dire picture of record-low snowpack and abnormally warm temperatures this winter straining water supplies for Western Slope municipalities and agricultural produ...
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Pop rock
Main, News...
Pop rock
March 11, 2026
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Main, News...
Ouray housing project scores federal funding
Nearly $1.5M coming to Waterview, but type of homes in second phase unclear
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
March 11, 2026
The Waterview Homes affordable housing project will receive $1.46 million in federal funding to begin a second phase of development, but it's unclear what that next phase will look like. The Ouray Cit...
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Main, News...
County venue to hire manager
Commissioners agree to pick leader for 4-H Center, fairgrounds, could reopen space in late spring
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
March 11, 2026
Ouray County commissioners will hire a salaried manager for the 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds, rather than an incentive-based position as previously discussed. During a meeting Tuesday, commissione...
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Blood moon rising
Main, News...
Blood moon rising
March 4, 2026
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‘Big box’ tightens on Gold Mountain Fire
Main, News...
‘Big box’ tightens on Gold Mountain Fire
Aided by cooler temps, rain, firefighters increase containment to 24%
By Chart Riggall 
July 22, 2026
Surveying a sprawling map of the northern San Juans last week, Mike Smith was deep in a geometry of fire. Fingers tracing fire lines and ridges, Smith – the current incident commander over Gold Mounta...
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County eyes recovery funds
Main
County eyes recovery funds
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 22, 2026
Federal program could offer nearly $3 million — if cash-poor leaders can find matching dollars Ouray County could receive nearly $3 million in federal funding to protect homes, roads and other infrast...
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Spring targeted for tree-thinning effort
News
Spring targeted for tree-thinning effort
Without additional funding, original scope for Ouray-area project may reduced
By Chart Riggall 
July 22, 2026
A joint wildfire mitigation effort to remove dead or diseased trees from the city of Ouray’s perimeter is expected to move forward next spring, though with a potentially more limited scope. Officials ...
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News
City reorganizes planning department
Administrator ditches director post, divides duties among consultant, staff
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 22, 2026
Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer is overhauling the city’s community development department, dividing responsibilities among a third-party consultant and two city employees rather than consol...
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News
Ridgway to market itself as destination, not crossroads
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
July 22, 2026
A consultant has recommended that Ridgway reimagine its marketing campaign to bring outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs and regional explorers to town. The idea is to shift tourists’ perception away fr...
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First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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