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News
Independence Day in Ouray: What you need to know
July 2, 2025
The daytime population of Ouray will swell to several times its normal size on Friday, when thousands of people converge for the Fourth of July. Some things to keep in mind as you enjoy the festivitie...
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Ridgway schools dial up phone ban
Main, News...
Ridgway schools dial up phone ban
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 25, 2025
Ouray also aims to update tech policy for kids, staff Hallways and classrooms at Ridgway Secondary School will more closely resemble decades past this fall — without a cellphone in sight. During a Jun...
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Main, News...
Town clamps down on water usage
As supplies dry up, Ridgway stops watering parks, urges residents to conserve
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
June 25, 2025
Ridgway town leaders are cracking down on water use, fearing limited supplies won't last the summer if they don't convince residents to curb their watering habits now. The town announced Wednesday mor...
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News
Sheriff sees more calls, shorter responses in 2024
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 25, 2025
The Ouray County Sheriff’s Office reported a 25% boost in most calls for service and shorter response times in 2024 compared to 2023. During an annual report to county commissioners Tuesday, the depar...
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Red Mountain Pass fire likely human-caused
News
Red Mountain Pass fire likely human-caused
By By Erin McIntyre and Lia Salvatierra erin@ouraynews.com lia@ouraynews.com 
June 25, 2025
A wildfire that burned five acres on Red Mountain Pass and closed U.S. Highway 550 for nearly 24 hours earlier this week is suspected to be human-caused. The fire burning above the highway near the av...
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News
‘Overwhelming demand’ at Hurd town hall
June 25, 2025
Callers to U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd's telephone town hall on Tuesday night encountered a message that they couldn't access the virtual meeting, due to "overwhelming demand." The Plaindealer and others atte...
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News
County eyes improved parking along pass
June 25, 2025
Ouray County commissioners signed an agreement with the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration Tuesday to assess parking improvements near recreation areas along ...
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News
Trail condemnation hearing continued
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 25, 2025
The town of Ridgway’s attempt to condemn part of a vacant lot to create a public walking trail will continue into July, after a district judge approved extending the hearing. Property owner David Snee...
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Tariffs hit home for local businesses
News
Tariffs hit home for local businesses
Some forced to increase prices, while others monitor costs
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 25, 2025
Some local businesses are feeling the effects of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, while others are anticipating they will be hit eventually with the costs of importing goods. President Don...
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News
City to drop business registration program fee
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
June 25, 2025
The city of Ouray is expected to drop the $10 annual fee charged as part of its business registration program in an effort to get more businesses to sign up. The city created the program in 2021 in an...
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Calendar & Events
News
Calendar & Events
June 26-July 10, 2025
June 25, 2025
THURSDAY JUNE 26 LIVE MUSIC: Mountain Air Music Series presents The Nightowls with The Hip Snacks. 6 p.m. at Fellin Park in Ouray. Free. STORY AND CRAFT TIME: "The Tiny Seed" book and seed bomb activi...
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Saving Swiss Village
Main, News...
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESERVED
Saving Swiss Village
Collaboration to buy Ouray mobile home park could serve as model elsewhere in Colorado, as residents celebrate with applause, tears
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
June 23, 2025
It took an attorney willing to work for free and hop on a midnight phone call in the middle of her vacation. It took two couples who had never met before performing remarkable acts of generosity and h...
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Snow shed fire continues to burn on Red Mountain Pass
News
Snow shed fire continues to burn on Red Mountain Pass
U.S. 550 remains closed for safety
By Erin 
June 23, 2025
UPDATE, 3 p.m.: The highway has reopened with alternating lanes of traffic. Authorities urge motorists traveling through the area to use caution, as firefighters are still active in the area. ––––––– ...
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Main, News...
Fireworks shot at homes
Council enacts blanket ban as police look for truck
By By Mike Wiggins, Erin McIntyre and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com deb.hurley.brobst@gmail.com 
June 18, 2025
Ouray city leaders moved swiftly this week to ban all personal fireworks in the city, days after homes near Lee’s Ski Hill were shot with a barrage of pyrotechnics on Sunday night that ignited multipl...
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Home Trust to close on rental property
News
Home Trust to close on rental property
Ouray triplex will be retained as affordable housing
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 18, 2025
Five new affordable rental units are coming to the city of Ouray, as the Home Trust of Ouray County will close next month on its second affordable housing acquisition. The property at 835 Second St. i...
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News
Sex assault trial delayed
Defense seeks DNA expert; attorneys disagree on possible venue change
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
June 18, 2025
The trial of one of three men accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl inside the home of the former Ouray police chief has been delayed. Nate Dieffenderffer, 20, was scheduled to stand trial...
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News
City pulls back on plans for Fellin Park stage
Search on for funding as price tag drops to between $1M and $1.6M
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
June 18, 2025
Ouray city councilors are much happier with revised plans for a permanent stage in Fellin Park. Now the challenge is finding money to pay for it. Councilors on Monday looked at two scenarios that drop...
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News
SMPA delays Ouray work until August
Power cooperative vows to improve communication with city
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
June 18, 2025
San Miguel Power Association is postponing work to replace power poles and more in the city of Ouray until late August because of delays in getting supplies. The company rescheduled the dates earlier ...
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News
City seeks parking solutions
Priorities: Turnover on Main Street, more parking on side streets
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 18, 2025
Ouray city leaders want to encourage turnover of parking spaces on Main Street and utilize more parking on side streets, while creating more enforceable parking rules. Those were just some of the prio...
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News
County enhances emergency planning
To prepare for various threats, officials update disaster mitigation plans, create evacuation plan
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 18, 2025
After years of work, Ouray County has refreshed its emergency readiness capabilities by updating three disaster mitigation plans and adopting an official evacuation plan, all in an effort to prepare t...
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Editor Picks
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

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

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Ridgway CO 81432

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