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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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Gulde touts experience, years of service
News
Election 2025
Gulde touts experience, years of service
Gulde touts experience, years of service
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
Tamara Gulde didn’t intend to assemble campaign flyers and put up yard signs this fall. After four years as a Ouray city councilor, she was ready to step back and let someone else take their turn as o...
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Underwood sees gap between council, public
News
Election 2025
Underwood sees gap between council, public
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
When he looks out at the audience at a Ouray City Council meeting or walks Main Street, Michael Underwood said he sees and hears people who are disconnected from those elected to represent them. Some ...
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News
Water costs increase for county irrigators
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
The cost of leasing backup water to support Ouray County irrigators is increasing this year, as the Tri-County Water Conservancy District is charging $21,000 to store the water in the Ridgway Reservoi...
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News
Wildfire panel focuses on insurance issues
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
Wildfires are one natural disaster communities can exercise some control over. And the hope is that soon homeowners will not only have control over mitigating wildfire risk around their homes, but als...
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News
In budget crunch, county may revive hiring policy
Commissioners could have final say on filling vacant positions
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
Ouray County leaders plan to revive a policy that would allow county commissioners to reconsider hiring new employees to fill vacant roles, as alarm over the county’s financial situation intensifies. ...
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News
County ok’s variance for home construction
Variance OK'd for home
October 15, 2025
Ouray County commissioners have approved an exception to the county’s skyline regulations for a property in Dallas Meadows, agreeing there was no way to build on the property without violating those r...
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Investigation nabs illegal guns, suspected drugs
News
Investigation nabs illegal guns, suspected drugs
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
An investigation into a report of shots fired from a truck on Log Hill Mesa led the Ouray County Sheriff's Office to an arrest involving illegal firearms and suspected drugs. David Allen Wolfe, 46, wa...
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Ouray School Board candidate profile: Phylis Fagrelius
News
Election 2025
Ouray School Board candidate profile: Phylis Fagrelius
By Erin McIntyre 
October 15, 2025
Phylis Fagrelius has learned an important lesson, living in Ouray for the past 37 years. “The more you give, the more you get back,” she said. It’s something she has experienced through teaching, ment...
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Editor Picks
‘There’s not a day where I don’t do something impactful’
Main, News...
‘There’s not a day where I don’t do something impactful’
Community paramedicine brings vital care to mountain, rural places
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
November 19, 2025
Editor’s note: There’s a proposal to start a community paramedicine program here in Ouray County, and we wanted to know more about how these kinds of services work in other places in Colorado where th...
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Main, News...
Commissioner: ‘My patience is gone’
Claiming continued poor behavior, Nauer asks Padgett to take 'timeout,' attend meetings remotely
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
November 19, 2025
Ouray County Commissioner Michelle Nauer has asked Commissioner Lynn Padgett to take a "timeout" and attend meetings by Zoom while the county makes leadership transitions over the next few months, cit...
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News
Police chief, sheriff urge Ouray council to rethink strict response time policy
Councilors table plan requiring officers to live within 10 miles of city after concern from leaders
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
November 19, 2025
The Ouray City Council on Monday pitched and then quickly ditched a proposal to require police officers to live within 10 miles and a 10-minute drive from the city after local law enforcement and city...
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News
SMPA approves rate increases
Monthly base, peak energy charges to rise in 2026 as electric cooperative prepares for escalating wholesale power costs
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
November 19, 2025
The San Miguel Power Association board of directors on Tuesday approved dual rate increases in 2026 for the second year in a row, as the rural electric cooperative continues to grapple with higher who...
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News
Ridgway hires North Carolina agency for tourism, marketing
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
November 19, 2025
The town of Ridgway has hired a North Carolina-based agency for its tourism and marketing services, choosing an outside perspective familiar with rural communities. During a Nov. 12 town council meeti...
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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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