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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 June 19 meeting Ridgway School District Superintendent Susan Lacy presented the school board with a plan to fully ban cellphones during the academic day starting this fall, including lunches, restroom pa...
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‘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...
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 ...
News
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...
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...
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...
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. ––––––– ...
Features coverage
‘I just want to get people on the river’
Feature
‘I just want to get people on the river’
Guide and equipment shop Best Slope Adventure Company launches in Ridgway
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 25, 2025
Those looking to relax or adventure atop a body of water can book trips, grab gear and even walk to the Uncompahgre River from Best Slope Adventure Company, a new equipment and guide shop in Ridgway. ...
New owners expand coworking space
Feature
New owners expand coworking space
Alt Space Coworking seeks to rebuild Ridgway, three other West Slope locations, foster mentorship
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
June 25, 2025
After arriving in Ridgway in their handmade van, Hana Morrison and Elijah Brown were struggling to run their remote personal businesses from their cramped vehicle. Then the couple found Alt Space Cowo...
Feature
Business Briefcase
June 25, 2025
Grocery store changes ownership Ouray Grocery has new owners – the Fedel family sold the business to Brian and Kelly Howerton on June 9, according to an announcement from the grocery store, located at...
Good for you!
Feature
Good for you!
June 18, 2025
The “Good For You!” page is a new feature we’re launching in the Plaindealer, where we publish reader-submitted photos illustrating community, celebrations and more. Maybe you snapped photos of volunt...
MURAL IN BLOOM
Feature, Main...
MURAL IN BLOOM
By Erin McIntyre 
June 12, 2025
Artist Yulia Avgustinovich works on the mural she was commissioned to paint on the southeast side of the Space to Create building in Ridgway on Monday. Avgustinovich, who has been a professional mural...
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Editor Picks
Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Far from a ‘wart,’ new home will blend in
June 25, 2025
Dear Editor: I was disappointed to see a large inflammatory headline relating to my very carefully and thoughtfully designed home in your editorial opinions section. In response to the comments of Mr....
Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Cancel fireworks, city
June 25, 2025
Dear Editor: The city of Ouray should cancel the planned July 4 fireworks display. I believe it is time for the city of Ouray to put its money where its mouth is. The city espouses programs like “Leav...
Letters, Opinion...
Dead, dying trees a hazard on county roads
June 25, 2025
Dear Editor: We own a home in unincorporated Ouray County on County Road 17. I understand that this road is an alternate escape route for the city of Ouray. I recently addressed my concerns in an emai...
Please join us Saturday for film, journalism talk
Columns, Opinion...
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Please join us Saturday for film, journalism talk
By Erin McIntyre 
June 25, 2025
When filmmaker Heather Courtney set out to make a film about rural America, she decided to do it through the lens of a local newspaper. She visited a small-town weekly in the Texas panhandle, the Cana...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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