Ouray County, along with much of far western Colorado and other Southwestern states, is now in severe drought status, according to NOAA’s U.S. West Drought Monitor, released Tuesday, May 20. More worr...

Dear Editor: It was so nice to read the News Briefs in the Plaindealer. I, personally, prefer it when you have shorter, more concise, informative articles that don't contain confrontational subject ma...

Dear Editor: Late April and early May is peak time for spring bird migration in Colorado! According to a May 3 article in the Denver Post, bird populations are in a steady decline. Many reports and re...

Dear Editor: I was pleased to read the online article (posted April 25) regarding Representative Hurd’s appearance at the recent county commissioners’ meeting. It is but the most recent example of you...

Dear Editor: Neighbors, the biggest problem with growth occurs when it is not anticipated and not managed. Look at Ridgway’s current growth. No one can say, “I didn’t see that coming.” Are we planning...

Dear Editor: Although disturbing and sad, I was keenly interested in the anti-immigrant history lesson shared by columnist Carolyn Snowbarger in the April 10 edition. (“The forgotten – and shameful – ...

Dear Editor: Why would a county commissioner need legal representation? As elected officials, county commissioners are afforded consid- erable protection from liability by the Colorado Governmental Im...

April, a notorious trickster of a month, has lived up to its reputation this year. Fine hot spells, not-so-good freezing temperatures, ample snow and, unfortunately, a continuing drought. It’s been a ...

Dear Editor: At their April 22 meeting, the Ouray County commissioners will be deciding to approve or deny a request from Commissioner Lynn Padgett to pay her personal attorney fee of approximately $1...

Dear Editor: In response to last week's article by Lia Salvatierra about road plowing, I have lived in Ouray for practically my whole life and have watched county commissioners increase government ove...

Dear Editor: April 22, 1970, was the date Earth Day was created. It was initiated by Sen. Gaylord Nelson to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage action to protect the planet. We ca...

Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. I've been thinking about that quote from C.S. Lewis a lot lately, because I'm concerned about secret activities in the city of Ouray t...

Mining entrepreneurs founded the town of Silverton in 1874. With the discovery of silver, gold and zinc, it was a boomtown with prospectors, suppliers and builders arriving daily for adventure, riches...

Dear Editor: I don't believe that Lynn Padgett deserves to have Ouray County pay her attorney fees, but if it will stop her Trump-like whining about how unfairly she has been treated I guess I am OK w...

Dear Editor: This is in response to the March 18 Board of County Commissioners’ meeting. The activity which initiated this was the Top of the Pines board's improper and dangerous poisoning of the Gunn...

Dear Editor: Regarding the city of Ouray's decision to pay $120,000 to former Police Chief Jeff Wood to settle his lawsuit: What a careless waste of my tax dollars. Shame on that crooked cop and shame...

Dear Editor: My husband and I attended Jeff Hurd’s telephone town hall Tuesday, March 11. We were relieved to hear that our new representative supports Ukraine and the rehiring of fired federal worker...

Spring has sprung: Baby birds chirp riotously in birdhouses, leftover snow vanishes under an ascending sun, crocus and forsythia flutter in the March wind. This first month of spring 2025 has been two...

Sunshine Week, which started Sunday, is an annual celebration of Americans’ right to know what government is doing. This year, there is far more to be concerned about than to celebrate, both nationall...

Dear Editor: Thank you for reporting on the Ouray County commissioners' public hearing regarding Red Mountain Alpine Lodge’s Special Use Permit renewal. County staff and Commissioner Michelle Nauer no...