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Bear Creek Trail to close temporarily, Ridgway chooses contractors for projects
By Erin 
May 8, 2025
Bear Creek Trail to close temporarily The Bear Creek National Recreati...
Ridgway: Flagship home for Earth insignia?
Main, News...
Ridgway: Flagship home for Earth insignia?
Resident asks town to be first to fly planet's flag
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 7, 2025
It’s been planted in Antarctica, held up in the Himalayas and waved by conservationist Jane Goodall at a rally in New York City. But Ridgway could be the world's first place to formally adopt and fly the International Flag of Planet Earth. The symbol — a flower of seven interlocking silver rings overlaying a wash of royal blue — aims to represent and remind humans of the finite nature of their sha...
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Board postpones guest ranch decision
Commissioners cite concerns about Gold Mountain Ranch, will consider permit again in August
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
May 7, 2025
A special-use permit application for a proposed guest ranch will come back to Ouray County commissioners in late August after county leaders asked the applicant to address more than 15 concerns. After...
News
NEWS BRIEFS
Bear Creek Trail to close temporarily
May 7, 2025
The Bear Creek National Recreation Trail south of Ouray will close for reconstruction projects during the week until October, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The trail will be open on the weeken...
News
News
Ouray nixes Denver firm’s lower bid
Councilors will look to local businesses to design, build, install three signs
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
May 7, 2025
A Denver graphic design firm really wants to finish what it started and complete the design for signs to be installed at two Ouray parks. The Ouray City Council, though, really isn’t interested. For t...
Signed, sealed, retired
Main, News...
Signed, sealed, retired
After serving Ridgway postal customers for 22 years, Laura Hagert puts a stamp on her career
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
April 30, 2025
On any other day — except Sunday, of course — they would flood her counter, a constant stream of people entrusting her with greeting cards for loved ones, seeking her help finding missing packages, st...
Main, News...
Schools brace for funding changes
Proposed formula may hit harder in Ridgway, which is losing students
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 30, 2025
A series of proposed changes in how the state of Colorado funds K-12 education is expected to hit the Ridgway School District harder than the Ouray School District over the next few years due to formu...
Hurd focuses on public lands during visit
News
Hurd focuses on public lands during visit
Commissioner grills freshman congressman on immigration enforcement
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 30, 2025
Republican Congressman Jeff Hurd listened to concerns about public lands and other topics during a work session with Ouray County commissioners on April 23. The conversation ended with the legislator ...
News
City, library expansion plans could conflict
Library eyes rooftop deck for patrons at community center, while city may want space for future growth
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
April 30, 2025
The Ouray Library District’s plans to build a rooftop deck as part of a broader facility expansion could conflict with the city of Ouray’s own facility needs. Architectural drawings the library has un...
News
Surplus road funds to stay with Log Hill
Superintendent sought to spend leftover dollars elsewhere this year, then earmark funding in 2026
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 30, 2025
A chunk of money left over from a resident-led effort to pave roads on Log Hill Mesa will remain dedicated to road improvements in the area. Ouray County commissioners discussed what to do with a roug...
Features coverage
CALENDAR & EVENTS
Calendar & Events, Feature...
May 8-21, 2025
CALENDAR & EVENTS
May 7, 2025
THURSDAY MAY 8 IGNITE TALKS: Doors at 6:30 p.m., event starts at 7 p.m. at the Sherbino Theater, 604 Clinton St. in Ridgway. Entry by donation. PUBLIC LANDS TALK: 5 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library,...
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Editor Picks
Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dim the lights, help the birds
May 7, 2025
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...
Jeanette ‘Nettie’ Marie Pope
Obituaries
Jeanette ‘Nettie’ Marie Pope
May 7, 2025
Aug. 7, 1945-April 17, 2025 Jeanette “Nettie” Marie Pope passed away peacefully at home on April 17, 2025, with her family by her side. Nettie was born August 7, 1945 in Montrose, Colorado, to Dale an...
Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Hurd’s defense of Medicaid welcome
April 30, 2025
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...
Letters, Opinion...
Are we ready for the next round of growth?
April 30, 2025
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...
Looking Back
OURAY COUNTY
LOOKING BACK
40 YEARS AGO
April 30, 2025
May 1, 1975 – The statement from Congressman Frank Evans in Washington, as reported in the Plaindealer last week, has been confirmed this week, at the local level, concerning a possible offer to buy s...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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