GUNNISON The stigma of drug use and addiction often has led to silence about the struggles of substance abuse. That’s something the Gunnison County Consortium wants to change. In fact, the newly forme...

For the first time in 20 years, Colorado voters will participate in a presidential primary election this spring and unaffiliated voters can participate. On March 3, commonly known as “Super Tuesday,” ...

     

Ride the Rockies will come through Ridgway again in 2020, and organizers have promised the cycling event will go better than it did when the community last hosted it. Ride the Rockies Director Deirdre...

As he looked down the barrel of a handgun, pointed at him by a homeless man who had broken into his house, Kenny Easton realized something. He’s the kind of guy who could pull the trigger if he needed...

State water quality officials this week placed a series of hurdles in front of the city of Ouray as it seeks funding to build a new sewer treatment system. In a letter sent to City Administrator Justi...

GUNNISON It could be an issue more controversial than the presidential election. Colorado voters likely will be asked in November 2020 if they want wolves reintroduced on the Western Slope. Yet, while...

Log Hill Mesa residents who have lamented slow internet speeds for years will soon have a faster alternative. The state has awarded a $2.8 million grant to Clearnetworx to finance fiber internet const...

The Town of Ridgway is considering changes to its zoning code, with the goal of expanding the options for different types of housing and encouraging more affordable options. A public meeting about the...

Wildlife area in Ouray County closed until spring Billy Creek State Wildlife Area is closed until April 30, to protect big game animals. The area, between Ouray and Montrose, is routinely closed durin...

An organization representing one of the oldest industries and ways of life in Ouray County is in danger of fizzling out, and its last remaining board member is sounding the alarm. Katie Merkley of Rid...

A longtime mainstay of downtown Ouray shuttered its doors suddenly this week, when O’Brien’s Pub & Grill closed. A sign stating “out of business” written on the bottom of a pineapple juice box in the ...

Ouray County commissioners and other county officials will take additional steps to ensure the public is safe and informed about avalanche mitigation work after hearing concerns from Ouray Silver Mine...

STORIES OF THE YEAR: NO. 5 Ouray residents made it clear in 2019 they were ready for a change when it came to their elected representatives. Voters in November convincingly chose a new mayor and two n...

A homeless man who allegedly went on a crime spree in Ouray County has been arrested and faces potential charges including burglary, auto theft and felony menacing. Kane Conner Berner was arrested in ...

GUNNISON Proponents for two high school sports who have long advocated for their addition in Gunnison Watershed RE1J schools have reason to celebrate. Superintendent Leslie Nichols on Friday announced...

STORIES OF THE YEAR: NO. 2 Mother Nature walloped the northern San Juans in 2019, first with record snowfall, then with record avalanches, which led to record snowpack and fears of flooding causing d...

STORIES OF THE YEAR: NO. 1 The turmoil involving the two top law enforcement officers at the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office is the Plaindealer’s No. 1 story of 2019. Sheriff Lance Fitz-Gerald was sworn...

STORIES OF THE YEAR: NO. 9 The town of Ridgway’s efforts to implement a new water-rate structure met vocal opposition from business owners, ultimately leading councilors to back off on commercial wate...

Wildlife officials are reminding people not to collect shed antlers on all public lands west of Interstate 25 until April 30. These statewide restrictions are in place to protect wintering big-game an...