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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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DOGGED DETERMINATION
Feature, Main...
DOGGED DETERMINATION
To his millions of online followers, Dexter is an adorable icon. To his owner, the three-legged spaniel is an inspiration for her to adapt to her own challenges.
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 26, 2024
He’s an inspiration to his millions of online followers. He's the first to board any flight – ahead of veterans, even. He's been a guest on Jimmy Fallon's show, and a book release is just around the c...
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Main, News...
Town water system faces pricey repair
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 21, 2024
Ridgway is under an extended emergency disaster order after heavy rain earlier this month destroyed the Beaver Creek diversion system, which feeds into the Ridgway Ditch and ultimately Lake Otonowanda...
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Main, News...
Damage tally from storms estimated at $3.5M
Costs expected to soar as governments seek state funding
By By Mike Wiggins and Lia Salvatierra mike@ouraynews.com lia@ouraynews.com 
August 21, 2024
Damage to public and private property from a series of thunderstorms that pummeled Ouray County earlier this month stood at $3.5 million this week, a total that is expected to surge as state and local...
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MEET ME AT THE FAIR
Main, News...
MEET ME AT THE FAIR
By Erin McIntyre 
August 14, 2024
The 2024 Ouray County Fair livestock auction netted $131,250 for 4-H participants who raised animals and sold them at the sale on Aug. 10, more than the $118,000 raised in 2023. Those recognized for g...
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Lawsuit filed in fatal Jeep wreck
Main, News...
Lawsuit filed in fatal Jeep wreck
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
August 14, 2024
The relatives of two women who died in an accident on Camp Bird Road in 2022 are suing the Jeep tour company and the estate of the driver who also died, alleging negligence. According to a lawsuit fil...
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LLAMAS AT LARGE
Main, News...
LLAMAS AT LARGE
Search on for animals wandering Uncompahgre Wilderness for two weeks
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 7, 2024
It’s day 13 of hide and seek in the San Juan Mountains and so far llamas Clavio and Cisneros are winning. The two animals escaped from experienced llama packers on July 26, five days into their excurs...
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Main, News...
Fire agencies consider idea of merging
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 7, 2024
The fire departments in Ouray and Ridgway are exploring the idea of combining the county’s five emergency response entities into one. Right now the county’s fire services are siloed into four departme...
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City to boost support for police
Main, News...
City to boost support for police
Councilors discuss audit report with department
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
August 7, 2024
The Ouray Police Department will hire more office staff and increase the housing stipend for current employees from $500 to $1,000 per month, and the city will examine compensation and benefits for of...
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Editor Picks
Ridgway man sentenced to prison in sex assault case
News
Ridgway man sentenced to prison in sex assault case
By Mike Wiggins 
June 6, 2025
A judge sentenced a Ridgway man to three years in prison Thursday for sexually assaulting a 28-year-old woman in 2023 after he claimed he was drunk and thought she was his wife. Brian Scranton, 49, hu...
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Fire victims in limbo
Main, News...
Fire victims in limbo
Three years after federal prescribed burn destroyed their home, family has no answers or compensation
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
June 4, 2025
She spent three months carefully itemizing everything they lost in the fire, trying to remember what was in kitchen drawers and closets. Every piece of silverware, furniture, clothing, appliances and ...
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Main, News...
Wildfire mitigation nonprofit shrinks
Expecting funding cuts, West Region Wildfire Council trims staff, ends free services
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 4, 2025
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the West Region Wildfire Council received $7,184.63 donations from individuals in 2023. The Plaindealer received this information from the no...
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News
Mobile home park deed restrictions delayed
Swiss Village residents say limitations too restrictive
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
June 4, 2025
The Ouray City Council postponed approving a series of deed restrictions for the Swiss Village Mobile Home Park on Monday after residents who are on the cusp of buying the property objected, saying th...
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A HEART FOR ADVOCACY
Feature
A HEART FOR ADVOCACY
After leading special education services in the San Juans for 12 years,Tammy Johnson is retiring, giving way to a new director
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 4, 2025
A good administrator never forgets what it’s like to be a teacher. Those are the words signing off Tammy Johnson’s email and ones she’s lived by while leading the Uncompahgre Board of Cooperative Educ...
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First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
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195 S Lena St. Unit D
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

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