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Get into the groove
Main, News...
Get into the groove
July 2, 2025
Carrie Ann Mund, left, dances with Tawnya Schiebel during the Mariachi de San Jose band’s performance in Ridgway’s Hartwell Park on June 29. The band performed as part of the fifth annual Fete de la M...
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Main, News...
Leaders object to public lands sale
Conservationists, ranchers, elected officials decry bill, though battle over federal property may return
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 2, 2025
Recent federal proposals to sell or develop Ouray County’s public lands would harm the county’s economy, identity and culture of ranching and public recreation, according to county officials and other...
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Main, News...
Sex assault trial moved to Montrose
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 2, 2025
A judge has ordered the trial of a man accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in 2023 to be moved from Ouray to Montrose. Seventh Judicial Chief District Judge Cory Jackson approved the tri...
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Ridgway schools dial up phone ban
Main, News...
Ridgway schools dial up phone ban
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 25, 2025
Ouray also aims to update tech policy for kids, staff Hallways and classrooms at Ridgway Secondary School will more closely resemble decades past this fall — without a cellphone in sight. During a Jun...
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Main, News...
Town clamps down on water usage
As supplies dry up, Ridgway stops watering parks, urges residents to conserve
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
June 25, 2025
Ridgway town leaders are cracking down on water use, fearing limited supplies won't last the summer if they don't convince residents to curb their watering habits now. The town announced Wednesday mor...
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Saving Swiss Village
Main, News...
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESERVED
Saving Swiss Village
Collaboration to buy Ouray mobile home park could serve as model elsewhere in Colorado, as residents celebrate with applause, tears
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
June 23, 2025
It took an attorney willing to work for free and hop on a midnight phone call in the middle of her vacation. It took two couples who had never met before performing remarkable acts of generosity and h...
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Main, News...
Fireworks shot at homes
Council enacts blanket ban as police look for truck
By By Mike Wiggins, Erin McIntyre and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com deb.hurley.brobst@gmail.com 
June 18, 2025
Ouray city leaders moved swiftly this week to ban all personal fireworks in the city, days after homes near Lee’s Ski Hill were shot with a barrage of pyrotechnics on Sunday night that ignited multipl...
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MURAL IN BLOOM
Feature, Main...
MURAL IN BLOOM
By Erin McIntyre 
June 12, 2025
Artist Yulia Avgustinovich works on the mural she was commissioned to paint on the southeast side of the Space to Create building in Ridgway on Monday. Avgustinovich, who has been a professional mural...
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Prison ordered in sex assault
Main, News...
Prison ordered in sex assault
Judge: Crime shows 'true character' of Ridgway man alternately commended, castigated
By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
June 11, 2025
A judge has sentenced a Ridgway man to three years in prison 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, hugged ...
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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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A TIME FOR TEARS, CHEERS
Main, News...
A TIME FOR TEARS, CHEERS
May 28, 2025
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Main, News...
Mobile home park deal nearly done
Swiss Village residents secure big state grant, set to close June 12
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
May 28, 2025
For residents of Ouray’s Swiss Village Mobile Home Park, pulling together everything that’s needed to buy the land underneath their homes is like assembling a giant jigsaw puzzle. After spending nearl...
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RUNNING DOWN A DREAM
Main, News...
RUNNING DOWN A DREAM
Freshmen-laden Ridgway relay team captures state title
By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer 
May 21, 2025
LAKEWOOD — Ariel and Natasha Hessler didn’t have the same level of confidence during the final baton pass for the Ridgway High School’s 4x800-meter relay team last week. Ariel expected to see Heritage...
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Main, News...
Reported bear attack sparks warnings
Wildlife officers, police urge residents, businesses to take precautions in light of early bear activity
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
May 21, 2025
A Ouray woman’s claim that she was attacked by a bear last weekend is prompting wildlife and law enforcement officers to remind residents and business owners to take steps to prevent future encounters...
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Pool prices expected to climb
Main, News...
Pool prices expected to climb
Third increase since 2022 intended to help fund capital needs
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
May 21, 2025
The city of Ouray is prepared to raise rates again at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool and Fitness Center, claiming the additional money is needed to fund capital improvements at the pool. Daily admission, ...
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Sex assault trial may be moved, delayed
Main, News...
Sex assault trial may be moved, delayed
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
May 14, 2025
The trial of one of three men accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in the former police chief's home could be postponed and moved out of Ouray County. Cindy Hyatt, one of the attorneys fo...
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Skimpy snowpack slipping away
Main, News...
Skimpy snowpack slipping away
Liquid content of snow in Gunnison River Basin among lowest since 1981
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
May 14, 2025
The warning lights have been blinking for months. The city of Ouray postponed its annual Cabin Fever Day in mid-February for lack of snow on Lee’s Ski Hill, then moved the event to Fellin Park on Marc...
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WICKEDLY GOOD
Main
WICKEDLY GOOD
May 14, 2025
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Ridgway: Flagship home for Earth insignia?
Main, News...
Ridgway: Flagship home for Earth insignia?
Resident asks town to be first to fly planet's flag
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 7, 2025
It’s been planted in Antarctica, held up in the Himalayas and waved by conservationist Jane Goodall at a rally in New York City. But Ridgway could be the world's first place to formally adopt and fly ...
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Editor Picks
‘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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