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Latest News
News
Trials in sex assault case delayed
By Mike Wiggins 
January 16, 2026
The trials for two men accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old gi...
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Public: Rebuild Ouray PD
Main, News...
Public: Rebuild Ouray PD
Residents seek retention of independent agency after departure of interim chief
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
January 14, 2026
Ouray residents sent a clear message this week: They want to maintain ...
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Tax questions linger as lodge proceeds with housing plans
Main, News...
Tax questions linger as lodge proceeds with housing plans
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
January 14, 2026
MTN Lodge in Ridgway is moving forward with plans to convert the hotel...
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Welcome to the snow-deo
Main, News...
Welcome to the snow-deo
January 14, 2026
Read More
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News
County OKs permit for guest ranch
Stipulations require Gold Mountain to account for bighorn sheep
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
January 14, 2026
Gold Mountain Ranch will be allowed to operate a guest ranch in Ouray County, and county commissioners hope the special-use permit they approved in December will allay community concerns about wildlif...
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News
EV charging station approved for 4-H Center
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
January 14, 2026
A high-speed electric vehicle charging station is coming to the Ouray County 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds parking lot as early as July. During a regular meeting Tuesday, county commissioners unani...
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News
News
Public renews debate over parking for recreation at Senator Gulch
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
January 14, 2026
New signs ordered for County Road 361 and the Senator Gulch parking area have renewed debates over how to improve safety at the high-use access point for winter recreation. The parking area below a ga...
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News
County chooses contractor for Corbett Creek bridge project
Bid awarded for Corbett Creek work
January 14, 2026
Ouray County commissioners have awarded a more than $1 million construction contract to replace the bridge over Corbett Creek into Whispering Pines, more than five years after initiating the project. ...
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Unaffiliated county candidates announce election campaigns
Main, News...
Unaffiliated county candidates announce election campaigns
First-timers Todd, Oakland seek clerk, treasurer posts
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
January 7, 2026
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to specify that Glenn Boyd volunteers for the county EMS department. A group of unaffiliated political candidates joined together this week to announce the...
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Main, News...
Mild temps leave Ice Park high, dry
Without key ingredient — ice — and no estimated opening date, officials forced to reimagine festivals
By By Lia Salvatierra and Mike Wiggins lia@ouraynews.com mike@ouraynews.com 
January 7, 2026
The half-bare walls of the Uncompahgre Gorge tell a story Peter O’Neil wanted no part of — one of 50-degree December days and out-of-work rangers and ice farmers scrambling to find other sources of in...
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Schiffer, Doherty picked for council
Main, News...
Schiffer, Doherty picked for council
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
January 7, 2026
Ouray Planning Commissioner Kevin Schiffer and former city building inspector Dave Doherty were selected Monday to fill the two vacancies on the Ouray City Council, restoring a full slate of elected o...
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News
Sheriff steps in again to help police
Residents back former interim chief as meeting scheduled to discuss future of policing in Ouray
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
January 7, 2026
The city of Ouray is once again leaning on the Ouray County Sheriff’s Office to fill gaps in police officer patrol shifts, after City Administrator Michelle Metteer decided not to hire Interim Police ...
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Features coverage
Looking Back
Feature
Looking Back
January 14, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago January 20, 1966 Two men, injured Thursday night when their ore truck plunged over a ...
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1884 ‘Big Snow’ a reminder: Careful what you wish for
Columns, Feature...
1884 ‘Big Snow’ a reminder: Careful what you wish for
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
January 14, 2026
So far this winter we have had a reprieve from icy sidewalks and snow shoveling — a far cry from what Silverton experienced with the legendary "Big Snow” in March 1884. We are complaining about the pe...
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Birdwatching: An equal opportunity hobby for the family
Columns, Feature...
Birdwatching: An equal opportunity hobby for the family
By Mary Menz Special to the Plaindealer 
January 14, 2026
Birdwatching is one of the most accessible hobbies for people of all ages. Little special equipment is required, though beginners often find binoculars and a guidebook to help them identify bird speci...
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Calendar & Events
Calendar & Events, Feature...
Calendar & Events
Jan. 15-29, 2026
January 14, 2026
Thursday, January 15 Community book club, noon-1 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library. Bring lunch and discuss "Wild Dark Shore" by Charlotte McConaghy. Tech Thursday – Get help with quick tech problems...
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Calendar & Events
Calendar & Events, Feature...
Calendar & Events
Jan. 8-22, 2026
January 7, 2026
Thursday, January 8 Sewing class: Mug Rugs, from 1-3 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library, 300 Charles St. Sign up at the front desk. Tech Thursday – Get help with quick tech problems from 4-6 p.m. at t...
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‘I want to see them get to the most terrifying part of the climb … and see them complete it’
Columns, Feature...
PREP ROUNDUP
‘I want to see them get to the most terrifying part of the climb … and see them complete it’
By By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer 
December 31, 2025
Ridgway coach Jonny Zaugg dedicated to helping young c limbers of all skill levels When Jonny Zaugg returned to Ridgway several years ago, he saw an opportunity to give back to the community and be th...
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Editor Picks
Penelope Hanshaw
Obituaries
Penelope Hanshaw
January 14, 2026
September 26, 1931 – December 21, 2025 Penelope “Penny” Hanshaw of Ridgway, Colorado, passed away in her sleep on December 21, 2025. Born September 26, 1931, to Donald and Ruth Miller in Salem, MA, sh...
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News
Skijoring marks anniversary with expanded competition
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
January 7, 2026
The organizers of the San Juan Skijoring event learned a long time ago they couldn't count on Mother Nature to provide the materials for their competition. Last year, they invested $54,000 in their ow...
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Robert Kendall Zanett
Obituaries
Robert Kendall Zanett
January 7, 2026
July 15, 1941 – January 20, 2024 An obituary was never written for my husband, Bob, because he still lives on in my life (Claudia Sue Zanett); the lives of our two sons — Robert Gordon Zanett (wife Kr...
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John Edward Peters
Obituaries
John Edward Peters
January 7, 2026
February 26, 1959 – October 30, 2025 We are deeply saddened to share that John Edward Peters passed away on October 30, 2025. His unexpected death has left a profound void in the hearts of those who k...
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News
Nine vying to fill two openings on Ouray City Council
Council will use ranked choice voting to select councilors
By Mike Wiggins 
January 2, 2026
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect council applicant Ashley Hineline's recent job change. The three-member Ouray City Council will have plenty of options to choose from when it deci...
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First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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