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New to wildfire science, nonprofit director boasts experience in leadership, planning
News
New to wildfire science, nonprofit director boasts experience in leadership, planning
West Region W ildfire Council's Tim Pinnow to moderate panel discussion Oct. 9
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 1, 2025
Tim Pinnow's resume might not immediately lead someone to think about forestry or fire mitigation. But what you will find is evidence of a career spent cultivating relationships and building resilienc...
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News
District attorney seeks 35% hike in budget, mostly for payroll
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 1, 2025
Just a year after the Seventh Judicial District Attorney’s Office asked Ouray County for a 13% budget increase, the office is seeking to nearly triple that percentage increase in 2026, primarily for p...
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Hurd mum on reservoir transfer
Main, News...
Hurd mum on reservoir transfer
Congressman not yet saying whether he'll back city taking over Crystal Reservoir
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 24, 2025
U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd is remaining mum on whether he will support a bill that would transfer Crystal Reservoir from the U.S. Forest Service to the city of Ouray. Since Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hick...
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Main, News...
Prairie dog mitigation to proceed
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 24, 2025
Top of the Pines will hire a contractor to lethally fumigate a portion of its prairie dog population, despite adopting a management plan prioritizing the animals’ natural occurrence. During a regular ...
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Once in ‘crisis,’ Ouray police rebuilding
Main, News...
Once in ‘crisis,’ Ouray police rebuilding
A year after grave warning, the department is nearly fully staffed, overhauling policies and regaining trust
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 24, 2025
Daric Harvey needs another dry erase board. The one hanging on the wall next to his desk is out of room, crammed with a checklist of goals and initiatives Ouray’s interim police chief has etched in bl...
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News
Postal Service probing locked boxes in Ridgway
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 24, 2025
The U.S. Postal Service is addressing complaints from Ridgway residents who had their post office boxes at the Ridgway Post Office locked without notice, violating the agency’s policy. Ridgway residen...
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News
County names trio of manager finalists
Community meet and greet set for Oct. 20; decision could come next day
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 24, 2025
Ouray County commissioners have selected three finalists for the county manager vacancy, a step toward ensuring they will usher in new, permanent county leadership for the first time in more than two ...
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School board approves purchase of properties
News
School board approves purchase of properties
Ouray district could use Fourth Street parcels to expand campus, build new gym; dollar amounts not disclosed
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
September 24, 2025
The Ouray School Board has decided to spend an undisclosed amount of money to buy two neighboring properties for the purpose of expanding the school's campus and possibly building a new gym. Board mem...
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Ridgway fire chief gets raise
News
Ridgway fire chief gets raise
Fire District board approves expense without public discussion, after taking 10 months to finalize performance evaluation
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 24, 2025
Ridgway Fire Chief Chris Miller will receive a 14% salary increase and be paid a $95,000 salary for 2025 retroactively, after the Ridgway Fire Protection District’s board of directors approved giving ...
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News
CORRECTION
September 24, 2025
A news brief on Page 7 of the Sept. 11-17 edition incorrectly spelled the last name of Ouray School Board candidate Andrea Calhoon Meruelo.
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Congressman focuses on free speech, health care during telephone town hall
News
Congressman focuses on free speech, health care during telephone town hall
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 24, 2025
U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd defended First and Second Amendment rights and components of President Donald Trump’s signature budget bill including changes to health care coverage during a Sept. 17 telephone to...
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Cemetery, fire districts seek tax increases
News
Cemetery, fire districts seek tax increases
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 24, 2025
Two taxing districts in Ouray County are asking for mill levy increases in November for the first time since they were created. The Cedar Hill Cemetery District and Ouray Fire Protection District will...
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News
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Rural Homes has new CEO, Home Trust finalizes triplex purchase
September 24, 2025
Rural Homes hires new CEO A former Denver-based private developer and home builder is the new CEO of Rural Homes, according to a press release from a public relations firm representing the nonprofit. ...
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Field of dreams realized
Main, News...
Field of dreams realized
Community celebrates opening of new $4 million athletic complex
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
September 17, 2025
The runners pounded out miles on dirt trails, gravel roads and sidewalks ringing public parks. They launched themselves over hurdles in carpeted hallways of the school, sometimes crashing into the met...
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Ouray to ditch large downtown signs
Main, News...
Ouray to ditch large downtown signs
Public pans signs as out of place, will review smaller prototypes
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 17, 2025
The city of Ouray is prepared to scrap a series of new large signs installed this summer in the downtown core meant to direct drivers to various locations in favor of smaller signs, acceding to reside...
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News
Councilors: Ouray residents, company need to do better securing trash
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 17, 2025
With bears loading up on calories in preparation for hibernation, some Ouray city councilors said they're looking for both residents and the city's trash services provider to do better to ensure bears...
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News
County looks to curb 2026 budget
Plan calls for 2.5% cost-of-living employee salary increase; sheriff pulls request for additional deputy
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 17, 2025
After years of growth, Ouray County leaders are working together to find ways to rein in or hold costs steady in 2026. During a special work session Tuesday, county officials looked at an early draft ...
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News
Ridgway may expand wildland fire operations
Fire district contemplates adding two positions, new engine
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 17, 2025
The Ridgway Fire Protection District is looking to expand its wildland firefighting capabilities by hiring two new positions and buying a new, top-tier wildland fire engine. Expanding the department’s...
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News
County’s first safety fair this weekend
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
September 17, 2025
Witness airbags explode, a medical helicopter landing and how to drive an excavator — all without harm or injury at Ouray County’s first safety fair on Saturday. The event, "Survival Games: Fun Ways N...
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News
Pickleball tournament hits Ridgway this weekend
Third-annual San Juan Slam raising funds for permanent courts
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 17, 2025
When members of the Ridgway Pickleball Club decided to launch a pickleball tournament two years ago, their biggest challenge was organizing it in just six weeks. Today, the challenge is accommodating ...
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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
Ouray County’s new county manager will travel from Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico, for the job, if he accepts the position. Ouray County commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to offer the county’s to...
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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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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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