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News
More squeeze, less juice: How proposed disaster relief sales tax compares with other communities
A smaller tax base means Ouray County is asking taxpayers to pay more money to generate less revenue
By Chart Riggall 
September 30, 2026
Ouray County’s proposed sales tax hike to fund future disaster relief would take more out of residents’ and visitors’ pockets to provide a substantially less plush fiscal cushion than other Colorado l...
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Bear breaks into restaurant, leaves
News
Bear breaks into restaurant, leaves
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
September 30, 2026
A large bear broke into Full Tilt restaurant and was found the morning of Sept. 23. Those passing by the restaurant at 515 Main St. filmed the confused-looking bear standing tall and looking out the f...
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City eyes legal action on sewer plant
News
City eyes legal action on sewer plant
Notice of claims sent to four contractors allege 'significant defects and deficiencies' with $17M facility
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 30, 2026
The city of Ouray has taken the first step toward seeking a legal remedy for its troubled wastewater treatment plant, filing notices of claims with four contractors who designed, built and provided se...
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News
County considers veteran transport program
Initiative would provide rides to medical appointments, but commissioners want more info
By James Hanlon 
September 30, 2026
Ouray County commissioners want to have more discussions with San Miguel County before partnering on a program that would transport veterans to medical appointments in Montrose and Grand Junction. Mik...
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News
Log Hill tests emergency siren locations
Donations expected to cover most of cost of estimated $26,000 system
By James Hanlon 
September 30, 2026
Don’t be alarmed. The Log Hill Mesa Fire Protection District plans to install an emergency siren system on Log Hill and is exploring possible locations on public property. The siren would alert reside...
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Alpine Ranger program in jeopardy
News
Alpine Ranger program in jeopardy
Without more funding, backcountry patrol could be eliminated in 2027
By Chart Riggall 
September 30, 2026
A backcountry patrol program created by Ouray County to fill the void left by federal staffing cuts could be on the chopping block for next summer without additional funding sources, according to Sher...
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Calendar & Events
News
Calendar & Events
Oct. 1-15, 2026
September 30, 2026
Thursday, October 1 Ouray County Republican Central Committee monthly meeting, 6 p.m., Ridgway Public Library meeting room, 300 Charles St. Learn to sew, from 1-3 p.m. in the Ridgway Public Library me...
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Popular trail needs new steward
Main, News...
Popular trail needs new steward
Uncompahgre Riverway Trail founder, longtime volunteer ready to step down
By James Hanlon 
September 23, 2026
Chip Marlow, the man who spearheaded the construction of the Uncompahgre Riverway Trail from Ridgway to Ridgway State Park, has maintained the multiuse path largely by himself for many years. Now 80 y...
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Main, News...
‘Super El Niño’ won’t be savior for West Slope
Officials: Warming Pacific temps may bring more snow but won't wipe out drought or fill reservoirs
By Chart Riggall 
September 23, 2026
GRAND JUNCTION — Amid a stream of bad news for Western Slope water stakeholders last week, Russ Schumacher had the pleasure of opening the sluice. Nearly on the far side of the state’s worst drought y...
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Judge to hotel: End workforce housing
Main, News...
Judge to hotel: End workforce housing
Injunction prohibits MTN Lodge from housing resort construction workers
By James Hanlon 
September 23, 2026
A district court judge has ordered Ridgway's largest hotel to stop housing construction workers who are building a new Four Seasons in Mountain Village. In a preliminary injunction filed Sept. 16, the...
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Investigators close case on mine shaft death
Main, News...
Investigators close case on mine shaft death
Nearly a year later, authorities conclude Ridgway resident Jennifer Nelson accidentally drowned
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
September 23, 2026
Eleven months after rescue volunteers found Jennifer Nelson's body in a water-filled mine shaft on Red Mountain Pass, investigators are left wondering what her final moments looked like. Their case, w...
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City ready to cut losses with building
News
City ready to cut losses with building
More than a year after purchase, council tells staff to sell empty Sixth Avenue property for reduced price
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 23, 2026
When the two-story building across the street from Ouray City Hall went up for sale last spring, Ouray city leaders scrambled to buy it, envisioning a top-tobottom renovation culminating in a new, lar...
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News
Board recommends denial of Pleasant Valley subdivision for teacher housing donation
By James Hanlon 
September 23, 2026
An attempted act of generosity began to fall apart when the Ouray County Planning Commission recommended Ouray County commissioners deny a request to subdivide a parcel of land in Pleasant Valley that...
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News
Ouray to evaluate cost of fixing bathhouse
Contractor will be paid $85K to assess facility condition
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 23, 2026
The city of Ouray will spend up to $85,000 to evaluate the condition of the Ouray Hot Springs Pool bathhouse and determine what it would cost to remodel the facility. A divided Ouray City Council info...
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News
County widens search for more disaster aid
Feds den y grant request to protect public infrastructure
By Chart Riggall 
September 23, 2026
Ouray County officials must renew their search for additional disaster aid after the federal government dashed their hopes for another significant potential funding source this week. Despite previousl...
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County OKs permit for Colona restaurant expansion
News
County OKs permit for Colona restaurant expansion
New owners of old roadhouse plan to open barbecue eatery
By James Hanlon 
September 23, 2026
Ouray County commissioners approved a special use permit Tuesday for a restaurant expansion at the old roadhouse in Colona, which is expected to reopen as a barbecue eatery. The property at 35 Hotchki...
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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...
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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...
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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 ...
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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...
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News
Cimarron Gathering Place opens with fanfare
By James Hanlon 
November 6, 2026
After months of planning, elder community members now have a place to gather during the week. The Cimarron Gathering Place is an age-friendly community center held most Tuesdays and Thursdays at the O...
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Cleared for takeoff
Main, News...
Cleared for takeoff
Halloween full of tricks and treats
By Erin McIntyre 
November 4, 2026
Ouray’s Main Street was a spooky place to be on Halloween, with witches at the Wright Opera House including Gayle Veum of Log Hill. The “King of Pop” and a member of the Jackson Five were spotted tric...
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Main, News...
Sales tax measure fails
By Chart Riggall 
November 4, 2026
Ouray County voters on Tuesday rejected a proposal to raise the local sales tax rate by 0.5% in order to fund future disaster relief, dashing county officials’ hopes to find a new revenue source for e...
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Ridgway teen memorialized
Main, News...
Ridgway teen memorialized
Killed in climbing accident, Matsuda remembered for loyalty, passion, work ethic
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
November 4, 2026
After pulling a 16-hour shift on this summer’s Gold Mountain Fire, Bennett Raley knew he could trust and rely on his young teammate. The volunteer firefighter with the Log Hill Volunteer Fire Departme...
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Can public save Alpine Ranger program?
News
Can public save Alpine Ranger program?
With government bowing out, group seeks to raise money for backcountry patrols
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
November 4, 2026
With a lack of government funding to continue Ouray County’s Alpine Ranger patrols next year, the task has fallen to locals to raise enough money – $67,000, to be exact – to keep the backcountry patro...
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First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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