The glow of the holidays has worn off and the gray of winter has settled in, which means it’s the perfect time for a little pickme- up. It’s time for our 2023 Best of Ouray County readers’ choice comp...

Fort Uncompahgre was THE place on the Western Slope from 1828 until 1844. Like many “forts” in the West, including Bent’s Fort in southeastern Colorado, this wasn’t a military installation. It was a t...

Dear Editor: On the night of Dec. 19 I had the pleasure of a flat tire on U.S. Highway 550 in between Ouray and Ridgway. Woefully underdressed in Christmas pajamas and Crocs, I started grumbling and r...

Dear Editor: I wonder if any consideration has been given to change the name “black-out days” for days that certain pass holders aren’t allowed to ski to 'white-out days'? After all, it is skiing and ...

50 YEARS AGO January 4, 1973 - Although behind in its original schedule, work is now coming along smoothly on construction of the new Ridgway school, according to Samuel Avis, superintendent of Ridgwa...

Decembrrr! And we thought November was cold. But we humans do not lack company this winter season, both friends and relatives as well as snow and ice are our seasonal visitors. And there’s lots of ic...

If you'd like to attend the Ouray School Board's retreat this week, you're welcome to do so. But you'll need to drive almost 300 miles where there's a seat for you in a conference room in the Courtyar...

November 2022 has produced both warm fall days and a couple weeks of snow and high, damaging winds, but it’s not broken any records. In fact, the recent cold nights and colder days more closely resemb...

“Oh give me land, lots of land under starry skies above, Don’t fence me in.” 'Don’t Fence Me In' has been performed by Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Willie Nelson and others. This song was written by ...

Ouray’s near perfect summer weather has extended its warm, sometimes wet reach into a glorious autumn. It helped that September 2022 was dry, sunny (15 days’ worth!) and warm with just 1.06 inches of ...

50 YEARS AGO October 26, 1972 - Hunters keep the Sheriff’s Office busy, too. Ouray County Sheriff Art Dougherty reports that a doe and a license were stolen from the Jeep of a Mr. Frumm of Denver, whi...

October 19, 1972 - The Woman’s Club of Ouray came out in strong opposition to the planned coal plant and mine in this area, at the last meeting a week ago. The club members at that meeting signed a le...

50 YEARS AGO October 12, 1972 - Ouray County retail sales jumped from $407,000 to $617,000 for a whopping 51.6% increase over the same period in 1971, according to figures released by the Business Res...

“In golden September with bright sunny days / The sky is clear and blue / The bee’s in the clover / Although summer’s over / I love September / Don’t you?” — A song from my childhood played in my mind...

Everything costs more these days. We've all seen fuel surcharges added for delivery, trash pickup and other services. Increased fees for restaurant tabs, sometimes for food cost increases or to boost...

Dear Editor: In light of the recent sexual assault trial against John Warren, owner of Red Mountain Brewing here in Ouray, we think it is important that folks living in our community be aware of a loc...

An article published on Page 1 of the Sept. 1-7 edition of the Plaindealer about the Ridgway Fire Protection District should have included Capt. Tom Sisler and Lt. Adam Kunz as officers serving the vo...

50 YEARS AGO September 7, 1972 - There has been a noticeable increase in interest and competition at the Ouray County Fair the past two years. This year, the growing interest was reflected by the larg...

Dear Editor: The Ouray Public Library would like to thank our community, staff, and volunteers for an overwhelmingly successful Drag Queen Story Hour. With the help of our amazing community, we were a...

50 YEARS AGO August 31, 1972 - It’s here! Ouray’s county ambulance is in town and ready to go. The brand-new Chevrolet Sentinel ambulance is an attractive bright orange and white, equipped with positr...