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Democrat commissioner bests Perkovich, elected for fourth time
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
November 6, 2024
Ouray County Commissioner Lynn Padgett easily won re-election Tuesday night, defeating Republican challenger Michael Perkovich to retain the District 1 seat. Padgett, a Democrat who touted her 12 year...
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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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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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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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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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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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CRYSTAL RESERVOIR
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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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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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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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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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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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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Seth Ryan, who was set for re-election in November, laments workload, turnover
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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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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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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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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NEIGHBORS AND HELPERS
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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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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Ouray council rejects member's request to attend more meetings from afar
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
March 4, 2026
The Ouray City Council on Monday unanimously rejected a councilor’s request for greater leeway to participate in council meetings remotely, agreeing it’s vital for elected officials to face constituen...
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4-H EVENT CENTER
Commissioners determined to improve fiscal health of facility plagued by management, use questions since its donation
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
March 4, 2026
The dilemma of how to manage, finance and use the Ouray County 4-H Event Center is coming full circle, reflecting conversations that happened more than 25 years ago when the facility was donated to th...
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Residents alternately praise, pan contemporary appearance, debate proposed community space
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
March 4, 2026
Ouray County residents peppered architects and Ouray parks and recreation officials with questions and feedback about a proposed new pool house at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, revealing a broad spectru...
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By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
March 4, 2026
Editor's note: This story talks about topics related to suicide. If you or anyone else needs resources, please call or text 988 or visit 988colorado.com. For Dr. Maya Haasz, it didn’t feel right to us...
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