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News
CORRECTION
October 29, 2025
An article on Page 1 of the Oct. 23-29 edition incorrectly stated Ouray County manager finalist Antonio Mendez is originally from the Dominican Republic. Mendez is Dominican-American and was born in t...
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News
Ouray to hire full-time fire chief in ’26
Council agrees to create salaried position, will shift management away from volunteer firefighters
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 29, 2025
The city of Ouray plans to bring aboard a full-time, salaried fire chief next year, a change that will shift the responsibility for hiring, firing and managing the position from volunteer firefighters...
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News
Mendez accepts county manager job offer
Mendez accepts county manager job
By By Lia Salvatierra lia @ouraynews. com 
October 29, 2025
Antonio Mendez has accepted an offer to become Ouray County’s next county manager, though he could start as late as February. County commissioners and Mendez will review and formalize a contract with ...
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School board candidates debate at forum
News
School board candidates debate at forum
Fagrelius, Meruelo tout experience in district; Schmidt seeks to keep 'ideologies' out of classroom
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 29, 2025
Three candidates for the Ouray School Board made bids for the position during an election forum held Oct. 22, answering an assortment of questions that boiled down to one key idea: who the school boar...
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News
Chamber backs away from marketing bid
Ridgway organization not among 10 applicants, claims no financial sense in seeking to retain services
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 29, 2025
The Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce is forgoing the chance to provide marketing and tourism services for the town of Ridgway, saying it doesn’t make financial sense for the organization. Despite the ...
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Ute dancers perform at film fest
Main, News...
Ute dancers perform at film fest
October 22, 2025
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Board makes offer on top job
Main, News...
Board makes offer on top job
On same day commissioners pick Peace Corps director, interim manager resigns
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 22, 2025
Editor’s note: This has been corrected to identify Mendez, who was born in the United States, as Dominican-American.  Ouray County’s new county manager will travel from Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico, ...
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Federal shutdown threatens food assistance program
Main, News...
Federal shutdown threatens food assistance program
By By Lia Salvatierra and Erin McIntyre lia@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
October 22, 2025
Food assistance for low-income residents in Ouray County will likely be cut off at the end of the month due to the federal government shutdown, leaving an estimated 170 households with less money and ...
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Main, News...
Woman’s body found in mine shaft
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
October 22, 2025
A Ridgway woman who was reported missing Monday night was found dead in a deep, water-filled mine shaft on Red Mountain Pass. Rescuers found Jennifer Nelson, 54, early Tuesday morning after accidental...
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News
City OKs purchase of new police vehicles
Interim police chief sought five hybrid SUVs to replace aging fleet; council authorizes three
By Mike Wiggins and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com 
October 22, 2025
The Ouray City Council approved the purchase of three new police vehicles Monday night, allowing the police department to start rotating in new patrol cars for an aging fleet that hasn’t been replaced...
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County clerk announces resignation
News
County clerk announces resignation
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 22, 2025
Commissioners to appoint replacement for Lynn, who's moving to help family Ouray County Clerk and Recorder Cristy Lynn announced Tuesday she will resign from her position at the end of this year to re...
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News
Without funding, county likely to end wastewater surveillance
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 22, 2025
Ouray County’s wastewater surveillance program is due to end this spring unless outside funding becomes available. The program relaunched in January and tests for the presence of COVID-19, respiratory...
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News
CORRECTION
October 22, 2025
A brief on Page 6 of the Oct. 9-15 edition incorrectly stated Ridgway town councilors’ current annual salaries. They are currently paid $3,000, not $2,000.
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News
4-H Center manager quits amid complaints
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 22, 2025
Ouray County leaders are sorting out how to manage upcoming events at the 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds in the wake of the venue manager's resignation amid complaints about her performance. Cassidy...
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News
Ouray fire chief seeks full-time role, pay
In request to council, Kunz cites increased calls for service, decreased volunteer involvement
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 22, 2025
Ouray Volunteer Fire Department Chief Adam Kunz is seeking a full-time salary, saying the role is consuming more of his time due to increased call volumes and declining volunteer participation. Kunz s...
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EMS chief pushes to hire more staff
News
EMS chief pushes to hire more staff
Leader hopes proposed fire, medical services merger will counter waning volunteer assistance
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 22, 2025
Ouray County Emergency Medical Services Chief Nate McCullough wants to figure out how the county’s emergency and fire services can come together to hire more paid staff and rely less on volunteers. Hi...
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News
City waiting on facility remodel price tag
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
October 22, 2025
The Ouray City Council will have several issues — and costs — to balance as it considers its 2026 budget at its first official budget meeting on Oct. 27. One of those questions still to be answered is...
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Ute dancers perform at film fest
News
Ute dancers perform at film fest
October 22, 2025
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Good for you!
News
Good for you!
October 22, 2025
The “Good For You!” page is a place for reader-submitted photos illustrating community, celebrations and more. Want to submit a photo for publication? Here are some guidelines for submissions: - This ...
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Driver survives plunge off pass
Main, News...
Driver survives plunge off pass
Distracted Montrose County man sustains minor injuries, cited for suspected careless driving
By Erin McIntyre and Mike Wiggins erin@ouraynews.com mike@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
A Montrose County resident survived an accident on Red Mountain Pass on Oct. 9, where his truck went over the edge and rolled down the mountain. According to information from the Colorado State Patrol...
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Editor Picks
County turns attention to prairie dogs at 4-H Center
Main, News...
County turns attention to prairie dogs at 4-H Center
County manager insists on controlling rodents despite pushback from commissioner
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 17, 2026
Ouray County will control the prairie dog population at the 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds. Ouray County Manager Antonio Mendez said he has yet to decide on a method, but that the end goal is contro...
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Main, News...
Gym members decry removal of free weights
City cites structural issues, will pursue short-term fix
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
June 17, 2026
The sudden removal of most of the free weights from the fitness center at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool has angered members who say the city eliminated one of the primary reasons they work out there. Cit...
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News
Town accepts grant to explore all-electric rules
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 17, 2026
The Ridgway Town Council has decided it’s willing to take a chance on a grant-funded public process in pursuit of an all-electric building code for new construction. Councilors unanimously voted on Ju...
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News
After hiatus, Ridgway to fly flag during Pride Month
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 17, 2026
Ridgway town councilors voted last week to fly the pride flag at Ridgway Town Hall for the remainder of Pride Month, after deciding not to last year. At a June 10 meeting, Councilor Polly Kroger reque...
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News
Library seeks money from city for expansion
State agency says local buy-in will improve chances of grant; council to consider funding request during fall budget talks
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
June 17, 2026
The Ouray Library District has asked the city of Ouray to contribute $100,000 toward its expansion, hoping to pair it with other funding from local and state governments. In a June 2 letter, which als...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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