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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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News
Trust to preserve, donate more Red Mountain mining claims
Nonprofit under contract to purchase land near Ironton Park
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 27, 2025
Another cluster of mining claims on Red Mountain Pass will be preserved for the public and protected from further development. The Trust for Land Restoration, a Ridgway-based nonprofit organization, i...
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News
Public Health urges stricter tobacco regs
Nurse recommends requiring local retail licenses; gas stations say program unnecessary
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 27, 2025
Ouray County Public Health is asking local governments to more strictly regulate nicotine and tobacco retailers to help prevent underage use, by requiring local retail licenses on top of state-require...
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News
County lodging tax question will be on November ballot
August 27, 2025
Ouray County voters living in the unincorporated part of the county – outside Ridgway and Ouray – will be asked to approve a new 6% county lodging tax to fund local law enforcement, fire protection se...
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News
EMS, public health school partner to assess new program
August 27, 2025
Ouray County Emergency Medical Services is partnering with the Colorado School of Public Health to assess the need for a new community paramedic program. Paramedic Cat Lichtenbelt said EMS is aiming t...
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News
Ridgway Athletic Park open house set for Aug. 28
August 27, 2025
The town of Ridgway will host an open house tonight (Thursday) to elicit public input on the design of baseball fields and pickleball courts at the Ridgway Athletic Park. The meeting is scheduled for ...
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News
Temporary road closures set for Aug. 28, Sept. 9
August 27, 2025
Motorists traveling between the valley floor and Log Hill Mesa should prepare for temporary road closures and lengthy detours today (Aug. 28) and Sept. 9 as the Ouray County Road and Bridge Department...
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News
County eyeing properties for new facilities
Consultant's report says additional 3.5 acres, 30,000 square feet of space needed
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 27, 2025
Ouray County leaders are inching forward on a long-term facilities plan, beginning to identify potential locations for new county buildings and focusing on easy public access. Commissioners reviewed a...
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State Patrol conducts first DUI checkpoint in decade
News
State Patrol conducts first DUI checkpoint in decade
Officers contact nearly 800 drivers, issue one summons during nearly four-hour event
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 27, 2025
The hundreds of commuters who pass through Ouray County's only traffic light during the work week are accustomed to delays and traffic. Last week, they encountered another short delay: the first DUI c...
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Waterview project may include rentals
News
Waterview project may include rentals
Market demand could reshape second phase of development
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 27, 2025
The second phase of the Waterview Homes affordable housing development at the south end of Ouray may include rental units, a pivot for nonprofit developer Rural Homes, which has historically stuck to ...
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City retains lawyer in light of sewer problems
News
City retains lawyer in light of sewer problems
Mayor says he doesn't think the city will take legal action, but firm will review potential defect claims
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
August 20, 2025
The city of Ouray will hire an attorney who could help potentially pursue legal claims against the contractors who built and equipped the city’s new $17 million wastewater treatment plant, which has b...
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News
Ridgway opens door for tourism marketing
Town follows through on plan to seek bids for services; chamber to seek to keep contract
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 20, 2025
The town of Ridgway is opening up a competitive process for its tourism and marketing services after years of handing the task to the Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce. The shift toward a competitive p...
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News
Plaindealer takes home 14 awards in statewide contest
By Plaindealer Staff Report Plaindealer@ouraynews.com 
August 20, 2025
The Ouray County Plaindealer took home 14 awards at the Colorado Press Association convention last weekend. The annual Better Newspaper Contest, which covered work published during the 2024 calendar y...
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News
Administrator secures positive review, raise
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
August 20, 2025
Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer received high marks on her first job performance review and will secure a 6% pay raise early next year. City councilors unanimously agreed Monday night to ame...
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News
County drafts language for lodging tax ballot question
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
August 20, 2025
Ouray County commissioners finished drafting a buzzer beater ballot measure to ask voters to approve a new county lodging tax on Tuesday. Commissioners are expected to vote next week on whether to pla...
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News
DUI checkpoint set for Friday
August 20, 2025
The Colorado State Patrol has announced it will be holding a DUI checkpoint here in Ouray County this weekend, as part of an effort to ensure road safety. The State Patrol's Statewide DUI Task Force w...
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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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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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First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

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Ridgway CO 81432

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