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News
Commissioner rebukes spending county’s emergency fund
August 20, 2025
Ouray County Commissioner Lynn Padgett voted against a mid-year budget amendment created to pay for more than $300,000 in rockfall repairs to County Road 361. During a Tuesday commissioners’ meeting s...
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Crashes spur calls for change
News
Crashes spur calls for change
Speed study underway, but safety improvements on Highway 550 could take years to finish
By LIA SALVATIERRA 
August 20, 2025
Zoe Denison has a front row seat to the perils of traveling on U.S. Highway 550. Drivers have crashed through the wildlife fence separating the highway from her home between Billy Creek State Wildlife...
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A fair to remember
Main, News...
A fair to remember
August 13, 2025
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Problems persist at sewer plant
Main, News...
Problems persist at sewer plant
City says it has fixed issue that triggered odors, but other troubles linger at $17M facility
By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
August 13, 2025
When Ouray's new wastewater treatment plant is working, no one seems to notice. The electrical panels, motors, pumps and other equipment inside the nondescript, earth-toned building at the northern en...
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News
County weighs lodging tax measure
Voters could be asked in November to approve 6% tax to fund public safety, housing, child care
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 13, 2025
Ouray County commissioners are considering a ballot measure this fall to levy a new lodging tax in the unincorporated county to help pay for public safety, housing and child care initiatives and progr...
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News
Stage 2 fire restrictions adopted
Tinder-dry conditions prompt stricter rules, no campfires allowed
August 13, 2025
All three local governments in Ouray County ramped up to stage 2 fire restrictions this week, as multiple wildfires burn across the Western Slope and the San Juans continue to wither under a hot, dry ...
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News
Neighborhood to consider mosquito fogging
Health officials, government leaders debate efficacy of possible treatment in Dallas Meadows
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 13, 2025
Ouray County may help Dallas Meadows residents pay to kill adult mosquitos swarming the area since some preventative treatments were skipped earlier this spring. Leaders from Ouray County, the town of...
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News
Immigration officers arrest man in Ouray
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
August 13, 2025
At least one person has been detained during immigration enforcement operations recently in Ouray, according to an eyewitness who saw the arrest last week. A man driving a white GMC was stopped by thr...
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Man arrested in Ouray by immigration enforcement officers
News
Man arrested in Ouray by immigration enforcement officers
By Erin McIntyre 
August 7, 2025
Federal immigration officials detained at least one person in Ouray this morning, according to eyewitness reports which have been confirmed by the Ouray County Sheriff's Office. According to an eyewit...
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Fired federal rangers return to backcountry
Main, News...
Fired federal rangers return to backcountry
Patrol, education duties look similar, only now county foots the bill
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 6, 2025
Kricket Olin pulled the side-by-side ATV over to a cluster of off-highway vehicles and leaned over the door, sticking her head in the neon helmet out the window. “Hi I’m Kricket, an alpine ranger with...
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Interim chief has first shot at permanent job
News
Interim chief has first shot at permanent job
City administrator plans interviews, public meet-and-greet for Daric Harvey, whose contract is up soon
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
August 6, 2025
Interim Ouray Police Chief Daric Harvey will be given the first crack at the permanent police chief position through an internal interview process arranged by City Administrator Michelle Metteer. Mett...
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News
Council nomination petitions available
August 6, 2025
Ouray residents who are thinking about running for one of the three open seats on the city council this fall can now pick up and begin circulating nomination petitions. The two-year term for Mayor Eth...
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News
Ridgway schools go cellphone free
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
August 6, 2025
Ridgway schools are now cellphone free. The Ridgway School District, like many school districts in the state, including Ouray, is restricting students from using cellphones during school hours startin...
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News
City approves rooftop deck for library
Council clears way for second-story outdoor space
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
August 6, 2025
The Ouray Public Library will get its rooftop deck — and at its preferred location. The Ouray City Council voted Monday night to amend the library’s lease with the city to allow it to build a 670-squa...
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News
Library OKs immigrant-protection policy
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 6, 2025
The Ridgway Public Library is the first entity in Ouray County to adopt a policy focused on protecting immigrant patrons, students and employees. A new law requires all public child care centers, scho...
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Accident closes U.S. Highway 550
News
Accident closes U.S. Highway 550
Alternate route is County Road 1
By Erin 
August 1, 2025
A single vehicle rollover accident involving a truck and a trailer has shut down U.S. Highway 550 at mile marker 114, near Billy Creek State Wildllife Area north of Ridgway. Both lanes of the highway ...
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Bill drafted to cede reservoir
Main, News...
Bill drafted to cede reservoir
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 30, 2025
Federal lawmakers are working on legislation to transfer Crystal Reservoir to the city of Ouray. The city received a draft of incomplete, boilerplate legislation last month that would grant it ownersh...
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Perfect swarm forms near state park
Main, News...
Perfect swarm forms near state park
Skipped spring mosquito treatment triggers complaints about pests
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 30, 2025
Complaints about increased mosquito activity near Ridgway State Park have prompted officials to ask what happened with preventative treatments, which usually happen in the spring and curb the populati...
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Town wins condemnation case
Main, News...
Town wins condemnation case
Judge: Ridgway proved trail 'serves a legitimate public purpose,' will pay property owner $45,000
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
July 30, 2025
The town of Ridgway will be allowed to condemn private property to build a trail from the River Park subdivision to Ridgway Secondary School. According to an order from Seventh Judicial Chief District...
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Price drops for water system rebuild
News
Price drops for water system rebuild
Construction to begin in August
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
July 30, 2025
Construction for Ridgway’s new water diversion system is scheduled to begin in August at a much lower cost than expected. During a special town council meeting on July 24, councilors approved a constr...
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Hickenlooper hears concerns from constituents
News
Hickenlooper hears concerns from constituents
Loss of federal funds prompts requests for help with wildfire mitigation, water and more
By LIA SALVATIERRA 
August 29, 2025
U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper encouraged Ouray County nonprofits and public officials to persevere, find ways to do more with less money and look for opportunities to change systems during moments of tu...
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News
Closures on Red Mountain expected for next few weeks
Five-hour closures scheduled Tuesday-Thursday for power line upgrades
By Erin 
August 29, 2025
Motorists traveling over Red Mountain Pass should expect lengthy weekday delays starting next week, as San Miguel Power Association continues to rebuild its power line on the pass. A roughly three-mil...
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Bears start packing on pounds
Main, News...
Bears start packing on pounds
Wildlife officials urge residents to avoid attracting bruins as they seek food before hibernating
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
August 27, 2025
Bears have entered the time of year where they seek food for at least 20 hours a day, trying to pack on the pounds before the first snow flies. The compulsive eating, called hyperphagia, helps prepare...
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Main, News...
Fatal crash on pass involved marijuana
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
August 27, 2025
The driver of the vehicle that went off Red Mountain Pass on Aug. 5 had a significant amount of marijuana in his system, according to toxicology results from his autopsy. Tests showed 42-year-old Loui...
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News
City proceeds with plans to remodel city hall, police station
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
August 27, 2025
The city of Ouray is moving ahead with plans to remodel a portion of the Ouray Community Center and a building across the street that will house the police department. City councilors earlier this mon...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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