Videos Login Subscribe Renew E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
News
Disaster relief tax moves closer to ballot
Ouray, Ridgway councils negotiate for larger share of revenue; use tax for roads all but ruled out
By Mike Wiggins and James Hanlon 
August 19, 2026
A proposed countywide sales tax to address fires, floods and other natural disasters appears to have a clear path to the November ballot, while a potential use tax on construction materials to raise m...
this is a test
County road superintendent arrested on suspicion of DUI
News
County road superintendent arrested on suspicion of DUI
By James Hanlon 
August 19, 2026
Ouray County Road and Bridge Superintendent Ty Barger was placed on paid administrative leave Monday following a driving under the influence arrest in Montrose Aug. 14. Crew Chief Don Castle has been ...
this is a test
News
Ouray won’t join fire authority
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
August 19, 2026
Council cites unanswered questions, concerns about consolidation A proposal to consolidate all of Ouray County’s fire departments and its emergency medical services into one organization absorbed anot...
this is a test
News
County OKs flood construction contract
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
August 19, 2026
Ouray County commissioners awarded Haynes Excavation Inc. the contract for the Emergency Watershed Protection project at a special meeting Monday for certain areas below the Gold Mountain Fire burn sc...
this is a test
News
Ridgway student proposes ‘free box’ for donations
By James Hanlon 
August 19, 2026
A presentation about an idea for a “free box” by a Ridgway National Honor Society student at the Ridgway Town Council meeting Aug. 12 led to lengthy discussion and a $750 contribution to the project, ...
this is a test
News
Ridgway town council asks county for 15% of proposed disaster recovery sales tax
By James Hanlon 
August 17, 2026
The Ridgway Town Council asked Ouray County to consider a slightly higher distribution of funds from a proposed disaster recovery sales tax fund, while requesting more clarification on a possible cons...
this is a test
Bear killed after entering Ridgway home, killing chickens
News
Bear killed after entering Ridgway home, killing chickens
By erin@ouraynews.com 
August 17, 2026
State wildlife officials killed a young, female bear that entered a Ridgway home on Saturday after days of conflicts and at least one incident with the bear killing chickens. Colorado Parks and Wildli...
this is a test
‘Pinched on every front’
Main, News...
‘Pinched on every front’
Historic drought, wildfires, high feed prices strain local ranchers
By Chart Riggall 
August 12, 2026
One breezy afternoon in mid-July, Mike Potter's phone started making all kinds of noise. “It goes, beep, beep, beep, beep!” shouted the Ridgway rancher, brandishing his flip phone from the pocket of h...
this is a test
Flood work could begin within week
Main, News...
Flood work could begin within week
By Chart Riggall 
August 12, 2026
Ouray County officials said Tuesday that flood mitigation work below the Gold Mountain Fire’s burn scar could begin as soon as next week, while warning that storms in the coming days could trigger fur...
this is a test
Firefighter base moves to Gunnison
News
Firefighter base moves to Gunnison
Fairgrounds empty as focus shifts to Elk Fire
By James Hanlon 
August 12, 2026
The incident command post for the Gold Mountain Fire relocated to the Gunnison County Fairgrounds Saturday as Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2 took over for Team 1 and combined effort...
this is a test
Looking Back
News
Looking Back
August 12, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago With progress on the Ouray side of Imogene Pass Jeep road nearing completion, plans a...
this is a test
News
County inches ahead with possible tax questions
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
August 12, 2026
Attorney: Must get buy-in from city, town to proceed with sales, use taxes Ouray County commissioners on Tuesday took another step toward putting two tax measures on the November ballot to raise money...
this is a test
News
Visitors cited for feeding bears
Wildlife officials kill bruin after it entered home, broke car window
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
August 12, 2026
Wildlife officials killed a bear last weekend after it entered a home on North Oak Street and broke out a car window in Ouray, seeking food. The same week, Colorado Parks and Wildlife District Manager...
this is a test
News
County OKs fire recovery manager job
State grant will cover half of $300,000 cost for three-year position
By James Hanlon 
August 12, 2026
Ouray County commissioners approved the creation of a recovery manager position Tuesday to help coordinate recovery efforts from the Gold Mountain Fire over the next three years. The Colorado Departme...
this is a test
News
County OKs flood control design work
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
August 12, 2026
Ouray County commissioners approved a $213,000 contract Tuesday with a Grand Junction-based engineering company to design and oversee emergency watershed protection projects in areas under the Gold Mo...
this is a test
News
Mineral Farms proposes water deal with Ouray
Subdivision seeks to provide access to ponds in exchange for lower bills
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
August 12, 2026
The Mineral Farms subdivision would like to give the city of Ouray permanent access to its two ponds to fight wildfires along Camp Bird Road in exchange for lowering their water bills, which are twice...
this is a test
Water hauling adds stress, challenge to ranchers
News
Water hauling adds stress, challenge to ranchers
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
August 12, 2026
Most summers, Andrea Ingo and Mike Miller find a way to take a break in between irrigating, cutting and baling hay, moving cows and other chores. But this summer’s persistent drought has thrown a wren...
this is a test
Flood ravages homes
Main, News...
Flood ravages homes
County deems trio of Ponderosa Village properties uninhabitable, as residents fear more debris flows imminent
By Erin McIntyre, Chart Riggall and Mike Wiggins 
August 5, 2026
When the fire raged above them on the mountain, the evacuated residents of Ponderosa Village hoped for rain. They wished for anything to help the firefighters get control of the blaze so it wouldn't b...
this is a test
Main, News...
County floats disaster relief sales tax
By Chart Riggall 
August 5, 2026
Draft ballot language proposes half-cent tax, with revenue split between county, city, town Ouray County commissioners are in talks to put a half-penny sales tax increase question to voters this fall ...
this is a test
News
Log Hill won’t join fire authority
Board: No benefit to cost, operational structure
By James Hanlon 
August 5, 2026
The Log Hill Volunteer Fire Department will not join the proposed consolidated fire and emergency medical services authority in Ouray County. Board members of the Log Hill Mesa Fire Protection Distric...
this is a test
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 189
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
News
Local briefs: Ridgway appoints two to sustainability board, updates marshal overtime policy
Town seeks bike park design proposals, moves forward with pre-approved ADU plan designs
By James Hanlon 
September 17, 2026
New members appointed to sustainability board The Ridgway Town Council appointed Terry Schuyler and Christiane Frischmuth to the Ridgway Sustainability Advisory Board after brief interviews at the Sep...
this is a test
County: Layoffs likely
Main, News...
County: Layoffs likely
Commissioners, administrators warn of job cuts to close $1.5 million gap; staff criticizes leaders for not addressing problem earlier
By James Hanlon 
September 16, 2026
Ouray County will likely need to lay off employees to make up a projected $1.5 million gap between requested expenses and revenue next year, county officials warned at a budget workshop on Sept. 9. Th...
this is a test
Main, News...
Disaster tax not ‘backfill’ for fire costs, leaders say
By Chart Riggall 
September 16, 2026
In the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s declaration of the Gold Mountain Fire as a major federal disaster, Ouray County commissioners say the potential influx of additional federal funds doesn't ...
this is a test
News
Town considers options for sewer plant location
By James Hanlon 
September 16, 2026
The Ridgway Town Council wants to see some dollar estimates before deciding where to build a new wastewater treatment plant. Town staff briefed the council on three possible locations north of town at...
this is a test
News
City prepared to pay fees for housing project
Despite some councilors' misgivings, Ouray in line to give more money to deed-restricted apartment complex
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 16, 2026
The city of Ouray is set to provide up to $225,000 to a nonprofit organization to cover water and sewer tap and building permit fees for a 13-unit affordable housing project. At City Administrator Mic...
this is a test
Facebook

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

195 S Lena St. Unit D
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Ouray County Plaindealer

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy