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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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By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 30, 2024
Plans for a 6 million gallon-per-day water treatment facility off of U.S Highway 550 near Colona now await final approval from the Ouray County Board of County Commissioners, after a special use permi...
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Republican Perkovich continues to outraise, outspend Democrat
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 30, 2024
Ouray County Commissioner Lynn Padgett hauled in more than twice as much money in donations as her opponent in the race for the District 1 seat on the Board of County Commissioners during the most rec...
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Prescribed burn planned north of Ridgway
October 30, 2024
Prescribed burn planned north of Ridgway The Bureau of Land Management is planning to ignite slash piles and conduct prescribed burns in the region to reduce fuels and help remove invasive species. On...
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Colorado Main Street Community initiative could unlock funding for business revitalization
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 30, 2024
After being crowned an official Colorado Main Street Community, Ouray has unlocked state resources for downtown revitalization efforts ranging from aesthetic repairs on historic storefronts to support...
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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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Perkovich chastises top-level spending in county; Padgett trumpets accomplishments
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 23, 2024
Ouray County commissioner candidates last week hammered home their established platforms — Republican challenger Michael Perkovich faulting county spending at the top levels of government and Democrat...
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By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 23, 2024
Ouray County voters began receiving ballots in the mail last week, and already nearly 1,200 people had cast their votes as of Tuesday — roughly 25% of the county’s active, registered voters. That also...
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County argues it must investigate harassment allegations
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
October 23, 2024
A harassment complaint against Ouray County Commissioner Lynn Padgett has no merit and should be dropped, her attorney argued in a letter sent to Ouray County Attorney Leo Caselli last week. Padgett's...
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Ex-administrator sought forgiveness of payment associated with housing loan
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 23, 2024
The Ouray City Council rejected a request Monday from former City Administrator Silas Clarke to waive the interest owed on a loan he received from the city two years ago to help him buy a house. Counc...
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By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 23, 2024
Ouray County commissioners are supporting the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office’s pursuit of a more than $100,000 federal grant to assemble an in-house Special Weapons and Tactics team with the aim of red...
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New feature could draw visitors, be used for competitions
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
October 23, 2024
Members of the Ouray Climbers Alliance are itching to get to work fundraising for improvements to a section of Rotary Park, planned to include an area for bouldering and a competition climbing tower. ...
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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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Ouray County commissioner race for District 1 seat
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 16, 2024
Michael Perkovich works alongside his dad to finish building a home their family company is constructing on Log Hill Mesa. It’s a Thursday afternoon, and he’s putting the finishing touches on the proj...
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Ouray County commissioner race for District 1 seat
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 16, 2024
Lynn Padgett's office floor is covered with thick, spiral-bound books filled with Ouray County budgets from the past four years. It's Sunday morning. And she's preparing for the meeting with her fello...
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By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 16, 2024
A Ridgway man died and his wife was seriously injured after their sport-utility vehicle and a cement truck collided head-on Tuesday afternoon on U.S. Highway 550 just north of Ridgway. The driver of t...
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Board to consider time-of-use plan next week to charge more for 4-9 p.m., less at other times
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 16, 2024
Customers would pay more to use electricity during a five-hour window in the afternoon and evening, under a proposal that will be considered by the rural electric cooperative’s board of directors next...
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Main, News...
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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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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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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Feature
Private security to help with traffic, parking, so law enforcement can be more proactive
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 2, 2025
The sights and sounds of the Fourth of July in Ouray are ubiquitous. The powerful spray of fire hoses. The shrieks of kids racing through Fellin Park. Cheers and honking horns on Main Street. This yea...
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By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 2, 2025
County leaders are debating a new policy that would ban the public from carrying any weapons within Ouray County buildings but allow county employees with valid permits to conceal carry weapons in mos...
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