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Water restrictions exception, not rule
Colorado is on track for its warmest year ever. Source flows are diminishing or at historic lows. So why has only one water provider in Ouray County ordered cutbacks this summer?
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
September 9, 2026
In the early days of summer, it remained a matter of some debate where...
News
Fourteen measures to appear on statewide ballot
Graduated income tax, right to hunt and fish, anti-trans measures set to go before Colorado voters in November
By By Chase Woodruff Colorado Newsline 
September 9, 2026
The Colorado secretary of state’s office on Friday certified the list of ballot measures going before voters in November 2026 — and once again, the list is a long one. A total of 14 measures will be d...
News
Looking Back
News
Looking Back
September 9, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago September 8, 1966 The Colorado Board of Public Health has ordered Ouray to appear bef...
News
Local Briefs
Commissioners renew, reduce staff positions
September 9, 2026
Ouray County commissioners on Tuesday approved rehiring two vacant staff positions while reducing a third position to part time. The two full-time positions are for mechanics in the Road and Bridge De...
2026 Labor Day parade and rodeo
News
2026 Labor Day parade and rodeo
September 9, 2026
Ouray County Labor Day Rodeo Grand Marshals Linda and Ed Ingo ride in the parade on Monday. The Ingos, who operate the Fisher Ranch next to the fairgrounds, were honored by the Ouray County Rodeo Asso...
Features coverage
New principal brings international experience
Feature
New principal brings international experience
Michael Flaim named interim leader of Ouray preK-8 students
By James Hanlon 
August 26, 2026
Michael Flaim, an educator who taught economics and social studies at international schools for nearly 20 years, has started as Ouray School’s interim preK-8 principal for the 2026-2027 school year. T...
Monsoon flooding as old as Ouray itself
Columns, Feature...
Monsoon flooding as old as Ouray itself
By Karen Risch 
August 26, 2026
Situated on debris fans created by Portland and Cascade creeks, Ouray lies in a 5,000-foot deep rock bowl drained by five major creeks emptying into the Uncompahgre River. It’s not surprising that for...
Meet Ouray County’s new teachers
Feature
Meet Ouray County’s new teachers
August 26, 2026
Editor’s note: We have continued the tradition of including Q&A profiles of new teachers in the Ridgway and Ouray school districts in the newspaper this year, to help introduce these new leaders to th...
Good For You!
Feature
Good For You!
August 26, 2026
The “Good For You!” page is a place for reader-submitted photos illustrating community, celebrations and more. Want to submit a photo for publication? Here are some guidelines for submissions: - This ...
Ouray shop rocks on, 60 years later
Feature
Ouray shop rocks on, 60 years later
Columbine Mineral Shop looks much like it did when it opened in 1966, offering one-of-a-kind souvenirs
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
August 26, 2026
“Rocks” says a simple sign extending over the sidewalk on Ouray’s Main Street, adorned with a columbine flower. Inside, long narrow displays invite customers to explore toward the back, receding into ...
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Editor Picks
Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Disaster relief tax an investment in resilience
September 9, 2026
Dear Editor: I am writing to express my strong support for a dedicated Ouray County tax to provide funding for disaster relief, emergency preparedness, and community recovery. Those of us who live in ...
Grateful to tell stories here, ink stains and all
Columns, Opinion...
Grateful to tell stories here, ink stains and all
By James Hanlon 
September 9, 2026
Sometimes, I journal to process major life events. I’ve lived in a lot of places worth journaling about and my latest move is no exception. I’ve been in Ouray for six weeks now and I’m struck by the s...
Colorado’s rocky road to statehood
Columns, Opinion...
Colorado’s rocky road to statehood
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
September 9, 2026
Last month Colorado celebrated its 150th anniversary of statehood. Many of us assume that statehood was inevitable for this place we love. However, the 17-year quest was met with significant resistanc...
Jean Sellers
Obituaries
Jean Sellers
September 9, 2026
Jean Sellers passed Monday morning, September 7th, 2026. She was 69 years old. No services are planned. Jean lived a full life, traveling the world with her husband, making friends in remote places an...
Calendar & Events
News
Calendar & Events
September 9, 2026
Thursday, September 10 Youth Garden Club Harvest Day, for ages 8-18, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library, 320 Charles St. Live music: Jolie Holland, showtime is 7 p.m. at the Sherbino Theater...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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