50 YEARS AGO May 25, 1972 - Hopes to have the new Amphitheater Campground water system in operation by Memorial Day faded this week when pipe and other supplies ordered failed to arrive, reported Walt...

50 YEARS AGO May 18, 1972 - Final authorization has been received on the federal grant to enable Ouray County to buy a new ambulance and retire the Ford station wagon donated by Federal Resources Corp...

50 YEARS AGO May 11, 1972 — Numerous phone calls were made this week to the Plaindealer by people expressing their desire that the Ouray City Council retain Rotary Park as a city park, and not conside...

A story on Page 1 of the May 5-11 edition should have said there is a proposed permit system for hiking the Blue Lakes Trail. While the proposal does not require a permit for accessing the Blue Lakes ...

50 YEARS AGO May 4, 1972 — The “mystery man” who had asked to lease Rotary Park from the City of Ouray was revealed as being Bob Griggers at Monday night’s council meeting. Councilman Bob Zanett menti...

You've probably heard that newspapers are dying. Well, as it happens with many blanket statements, that's not true. But it's something we've heard a lot since we invested in local journalism. Yes, lar...

50 YEARS AGO April 20, 1972 — The Ouray County Chamber of Commerce has called a public meeting to air pros and cons of the proposed new junior college district. The meeting will begin at 8 p.m. next W...

Dear Editor: Thanks for the nice article about Jay Tunnicliff. I always enjoyed greeting him during his time at the hardware store. But I have to point out his error when he said "I hate environmental...

Dear Editor: In response to the March 3-9 article "County to Consider Pot Farm Applications,” let me enlighten the less experienced about marijuana growth and its odor. Years ago marijuana plants did ...

50 YEARS AGO April 6, 1972 — Cries of “Burn, baby, burn!” aren’t going to solve Ouray’s garbage problem, according to a report delivered by District Ranger Walt Rule at last Monday’s Council meeting. ...

Spring in the Mountain West means preparing for anything Springtime in the Rockies? It’s a little late this year, thanks to repeat snowstorms the first 22 days of March, interwoven with a few warm 40-...

The Plaindealer prioritizes occupying a very narrow niche in the world of journalism. Some people call it “hyperlocal,” meaning we target a specific geographic area, and particularly in news coverage ...

50 YEARS AGO March 30, 1972 — The real old-fashioned community pride and spirit has shown itself the past two weekends in Ridgway. The problem: cut away and level land for the new Ridgway School. Befo...

Dear Editor: The Ouray County Sheriff's Office's annual report is impressive but demonstrates a serious need for additional staffing. The history of the Sheriff’s Office has two unforgettable blemishe...

The Southern Utes and Ute Mountain Utes are the only two federally recognized tribes in Colorado. Tribal members have been working with us in the General Assembly this year to craft meaningful legisla...

50 YEARS AGO March 16, 1972 — A drastic change took place on Ouray’s Main Street this week, and now people will have to search for other reminders of all the yesterdays embodied in the historic Vanoli...

50 YEARS AGO March 2, 1972 — Rumors romped all over Ouray this week, on the heels of news that Roland Hinkson has filed on 17 unpatented mining claims, all around within the city. Courthouse records a...

A story on Page 1 in the Feb. 17-23 edition incorrectly indicated San Juan Huts is a guide service. The business simply provides backcountry huts for the public through special-use permits administere...

50 YEARS AGO February 24, 1972 - Having the foresight to jump at the right time has saved more than one life in these mountains when a vehicle goes out of control. Monday afternoon, Dick Zanett of Our...

When people ask how my wife, Sandy, and I met, I tell them the following story: I was afoot in Ridgway one night, and while taking a shortcut through an alley in the dark, I stumbled over something. I...