The kennel was eerily silent, the floor gleaming. The boisterous cacophony that usually greets guests was absent. It was quiet, just like the empty streets, the empty schools, the near-empty town. Bu...

The state has issued a detailed protocol with its newest health order introducing a "safer at home" transition from the previous "stay-at-home" order. Gov. Jared Polis' order still says Coloradans sho...

ABOUT THIS PROJECT When the coronavirus pandemic hit, a coalition of Colorado journalists already had been talking about how to better serve the public by collaborating and sharing stories. The urgen...

Local businesses are navigating layers of health orders from the state and county regarding when and how they can reopen, as the governor's statewide stay-at-home order expires today. While some categ...

Ouray County won't have more than 2,000 cyclists coming through this summer, as Ride the Rockies' 2020 event has been canceled. Event officials emailed local authorities earlier this week to let them ...

Ouray County will lift two public health orders requiring the closure of bars, restaurants and non-essential personal services and limiting mass gatherings, but will keep restrictions in place for sec...

By Samantha Tisdel Wright Special to the Plaindealer   "Go away." It's a tough message to send out into the world, for a community hard-wired to woo tourists to stay and play. But ever since March 20,...

Ouray County plans on loosening restrictions in relation to COVID-19 on a different timeline than the rest of the state, which will relax "stay-at-home" orders and transition to a "safer at home" phas...

Ouray County will give more hours to its interim Road and Bridge Department superintendent instead of ramping up its efforts to hire a new boss. County officia ls have been trying to hire a new roads ...

The Ouray City Council is considering hiring a private company to manage the Hot Springs Pool, concerned that visitation and revenue genera ted by the city's most popular tourist attraction has flatte...

Two days after learning the city of Ouray would not renew contracts that gave the Ouray Tourism Office the authority — and the funding — to market to tourists and run the Visitors’ Center, Ryan Hein m...

The peach, sequined dress arrived weeks ago, delivered in a box to the house. She carefully opened the package, lifted out the gown and admired its sequins, the applique flowers. Seventeen-year-old L...

As the stay-at-home order continues and non-essential businesses remain closed, workers and business owners in Ouray County are wondering how long their savings can keep them going. When Gov. Jared Po...

A pandemic, weeks of uncertainty, a frantic move-out and a nonstop cross-country road trip were not what Rosalind Greisz had in mind for her junior year of college. Colleges and universities across t...

Here's one bright spot to the coronavirus crisis. Ouray County residents impacted by the coronavirus pandemic who need to find temporary housing outside of their own home now have a free place to stay...

Last month’s sudden cancellation of recycling services by Bruin Waste Management has left Ridgway residents with a choice: Let plastic bottles, cans, paper and cardboard languish in a landfill - or in...

Sheriff pleads not guilty in DUI case Lance FitzGerald has pleaded not guilty in his alleged DUI case, stemming from an incident in November. Seventh Judicial District County Court Judge Kurt Beckenha...

The utility companies that power and heat Ouray County homes and business have put a freeze on disconnecting customers who may be struggling to pay their bills and are working with them on payment pla...

Ouray County has delayed a decision on whether to proceed with plowing high-country roads, after considering a request to postpone clearing snow from routes popular with off-road enthusiasts. Commissi...

Ridgway Secondary School Athletic Director Tony Erickson submitted his letter of resignation to the Ridgway School Board last month. Erickson told the Plaindealer the decision was difficult because he...