Videos Login Subscribe Renew E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
Mass evacuation exercise tests county’s preparedness
News
Mass evacuation exercise tests county’s preparedness
Half-day event features volunteers feigning injuries, refusing to leave and generally creating chaos — in the name of training for a real emergency
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 20, 2026
At 9:28 a.m., Amy Clewell and her two pretend siblings gathered in her driveway in Elk Meadows, debating whether it was time to call for help. They watched a stream of law enforcement vehicles and fir...
this is a test
Citizens organized against councilor
News
Citizens organized against councilor
At least 14 people sent letters to council urging vote against Gulde appointment
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
May 20, 2026
Former Ouray City Councilor Tamara Gulde ran into an organized effort to keep her from returning to public office earlier this year after she lost the November race for mayor, then sought to fill a va...
this is a test
News
Ridgway rolls out banner program
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 20, 2026
A banner ornamenting Ridgway’s skyscape is waving over Sherman Street and is now available to advertise town-sponsored and nonprofit events in town. The banner structure is the product of more than a ...
this is a test
News
Local Briefs
Man arrested after shots fired in home Free naloxone
May 20, 2026
A Ouray man was arrested and booked into the Montrose County Jail on suspicion of menacing, reckless endangerment, illegally discharging a firearm and prohibited use of a firearm after law enforcement...
this is a test
Looking Back
News
Looking Back
May 20, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago May 19, 1966 The Ouray City Council was asked Monday night to consider redirecting th...
this is a test
News
After prolonged debate, idling rules fail
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 20, 2026
“Idle-Free Ridgway” remains a motto rather than a rule after the Ridgway Town Council last week voted down an anti-idling ordinance that has drawn zealous support and opposition over the past five mon...
this is a test
News
No-idling ordinance stalls after months of debate
By LIA SALVATIERRA 
May 14, 2026
“Idle-Free Ridgway” remains a motto, rather than a rule after the town council voted down final approval for an anti-idling ordinance that drew zealous support and opposition over the past five months...
this is a test
Ouray childcare model a blueprint for others
Main, News...
Ouray childcare model a blueprint for others
A year after two daycares opened within affordable housing development, builder looks to replicate template in three other cities
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
The solution to the statewide childcare shortage might be here in Ouray County, where a blueprint for building childcare-ready affordable homes was drafted. It’s been a little more than a year since t...
this is a test
Main, News...
County tests: No mold problem in meeting rooms
After commissioner claims 'toxicity,' manager says 4-H, courthouse spaces safe to use
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
Ouray County commissioner meeting rooms don’t have a mold problem, according to testing ordered after Commissioner Lynn Padgett said the facilities caused her to feel sick and used it as justification...
this is a test
Beefed-up alpine ranger program returns
News
Beefed-up alpine ranger program returns
State grant allows county to add sixth ranger to patrol backcountry, focus on safety, education
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
Ouray County’s alpine ranger program is back and bigger this year with the help of a state grant. The public will see alpine rangers patrolling areas including Yankee Boy Basin, Imogene Pass and the A...
this is a test
Two candidates vie for seat on San Miguel Power board
News
Two candidates vie for seat on San Miguel Power board
Election to represent Ridgway, Log Hill contested for first time since 2014
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
For the first time in more than a decade, there’s a contested election for the District 6 seat on the San Miguel Power Association board of directors, representing all of Ridgway, much of Log Hill and...
this is a test
Looking Back
News
Looking Back
May 13, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago May 12, 1966 Toby is back in town. Proof of it is that Johnny Johnson of the Western ...
this is a test
News
Sex assault suspect to plead guilty to reduced charge
May 13, 2026
One of three men charged with sexually assaulting a then-17-year-old girl in Ouray County in 2023 has agreed to plead guilty to a reduced charge. Ashton Whittington, who was originally charged with a ...
this is a test
News
Commissioners hedge on compensation requests
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
A Ouray County employee rescinded a request Tuesday to be paid for the hours she spent outside her regular work week helping run the 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds. Commissioners spent roughly 45 mi...
this is a test
News
Evacuation exercise in Elk Meadows kicks off Friday
May 13, 2026
Between 40 and 60 volunteers and dozens more officials are preparing for Ouray County’s first emergency evacuation exercise in Elk Meadows southwest of Ridgway on Friday. The event will simulate what ...
this is a test
Woman gets probation in retaliation case
News
Woman gets probation in retaliation case
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
A former Ouray woman has been ordered to spend two years on probation for retaliating against a woman who accused her son of sexual assault in 2023. Kristyn Trujillo must also perform 96 hours of publ...
this is a test
Ridgway, Ouray athletes well-represented at state track competition
News
Ridgway, Ouray athletes well-represented at state track competition
Seventeen student-athletes to compete for state titles May 14-16 in Lakewood
By Plaindealer Staff Report Plaindealer@ouraynews.com 
May 13, 2026
It’s a roughly five-hour, 300-mile trek from the San Juans to Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood. But for a group of Ouray County student-athletes, the chance to win a state title is a matter of sec...
this is a test
News
Woman sentenced to probation in retaliation case
By Mike Wiggins 
May 8, 2026
A former Ouray woman was ordered Thursday to spend two years on probation for retaliating against a woman who accused her son of sexual assault in 2023. Kristyn Trujillo must also perform 96 hours of ...
this is a test
Beetle Mania
Main, News...
Beetle Mania
Drought conditions prime for insect infestation in county, experts warn
By LIA SALVATIERRA 
May 6, 2026
In some parts of Ouray County it may look like popcorn grows on trees. The milky, honey-colored pocks on the trunks of ponderosa pines and other trees signal efforts to fend off their attackers: bark ...
this is a test
News
County policy would govern AI use
Manager: 'Folks want to feel we are doing our jobs, not delegating it to AI'
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
May 6, 2026
Ouray County commissioners want to regulate how employees use artificial intelligence when doing county work and limit cybercrime risk. Commissioners on April 29 looked at the first draft of an AI pol...
this is a test
  • 1
  • …
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • …
  • 193
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
News
Cimarron Gathering Place opens with fanfare
By James Hanlon 
November 6, 2026
After months of planning, elder community members now have a place to gather during the week. The Cimarron Gathering Place is an age-friendly community center held most Tuesdays and Thursdays at the O...
this is a test
Cleared for takeoff
Main, News...
Cleared for takeoff
Halloween full of tricks and treats
By Erin McIntyre 
November 4, 2026
Ouray’s Main Street was a spooky place to be on Halloween, with witches at the Wright Opera House including Gayle Veum of Log Hill. The “King of Pop” and a member of the Jackson Five were spotted tric...
this is a test
Main, News...
Sales tax measure fails
By Chart Riggall 
November 4, 2026
Ouray County voters on Tuesday rejected a proposal to raise the local sales tax rate by 0.5% in order to fund future disaster relief, dashing county officials’ hopes to find a new revenue source for e...
this is a test
Ridgway teen memorialized
Main, News...
Ridgway teen memorialized
Killed in climbing accident, Matsuda remembered for loyalty, passion, work ethic
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
November 4, 2026
After pulling a 16-hour shift on this summer’s Gold Mountain Fire, Bennett Raley knew he could trust and rely on his young teammate. The volunteer firefighter with the Log Hill Volunteer Fire Departme...
this is a test
Can public save Alpine Ranger program?
News
Can public save Alpine Ranger program?
With government bowing out, group seeks to raise money for backcountry patrols
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
November 4, 2026
With a lack of government funding to continue Ouray County’s Alpine Ranger patrols next year, the task has fallen to locals to raise enough money – $67,000, to be exact – to keep the backcountry patro...
this is a test
Facebook

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

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

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Ouray County Plaindealer

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy