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Latest News
Main, News...
‘Super El Niño’ won’t be savior for West Slope
Officials: Warming Pacific temps may bring more snow but won't wipe out drought or fill reservoirs
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
September 23, 2026
GRAND JUNCTION — Amid a stream of bad news for Western Slope water sta...
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Main, News...
Judge to hotel: End workforce housing
Injunction prohibits MTN Lodge from housing resort construction workers
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
September 23, 2026
A district court judge has ordered Ridgway's largest hotel to stop hou...
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Investigators close case on mine shaft death
News
Investigators close case on mine shaft death
Nearly a year later, authorities conclude Ridgway resident Jennifer Nelson accidentally drowned
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
September 23, 2026
Eleven months after rescue volunteers found Jennifer Nelson's body in ...
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Popular trail needs new steward
Main, News...
Popular trail needs new steward
Uncompahgre Riverway Trail founder, longtime volunteer ready to step down
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
September 23, 2026
Chip Marlow, the man who spearheaded the construction of the Uncompahgre Riverway Trail from Ridgway to Ridgway State Park, has maintained the multiuse path largely by himself for many years. Now 80 years old, Marlow is ready to retire and hopes a younger group of volunteers can take over. “I’m worn out and tired,” he said. Founded in 1989, Marlow’s nonprofit Uncompahgre Riverway Inc. raised more ...
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City ready to cut losses with building
News
City ready to cut losses with building
More than a year after purchase, council tells staff to sell empty Sixth Avenue property for reduced price
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 23, 2026
When the two-story building across the street from Ouray City Hall went up for sale last spring, Ouray city leaders scrambled to buy it, envisioning a top-tobottom renovation culminating in a new, lar...
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News
Board recommends denial of Pleasant Valley subdivision for teacher housing donation
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
September 23, 2026
An attempted act of generosity began to fall apart when the Ouray County Planning Commission recommended Ouray County commissioners deny a request to subdivide a parcel of land in Pleasant Valley that...
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News
News
Ouray to evaluate cost of fixing bathhouse
Contractor will be paid $85K to assess facility condition
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 23, 2026
The city of Ouray will spend up to $85,000 to evaluate the condition of the Ouray Hot Springs Pool bathhouse and determine what it would cost to remodel the facility. A divided Ouray City Council info...
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News
County widens search for more disaster aid
Feds den y grant request to protect public infrastructure
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
September 23, 2026
Ouray County officials must renew their search for additional disaster aid after the federal government dashed their hopes for another significant potential funding source this week. Despite previousl...
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Looking Back
News
Looking Back
September 23, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago September 22, 1966 Lady Bird, the tiny mule colt foaled by a Shetland pony, is dead, ...
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County OKs permit for Colona restaurant expansion
News
County OKs permit for Colona restaurant expansion
New owners of old roadhouse plan to open barbecue eatery
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
September 23, 2026
Ouray County commissioners approved a special use permit Tuesday for a restaurant expansion at the old roadhouse in Colona, which is expected to reopen as a barbecue eatery. The property at 35 Hotchki...
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Ramble at the Reservoir
News
Ramble at the Reservoir
September 23, 2026
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Proprietor stitches together new business
News
Proprietor stitches together new business
Ouray's Terrier Leather & Goods offers variety of handmade crafts
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
September 23, 2026
Jake Beechler's leatherworking career started when the nylon sheath for his Leatherman tool wore out. He decided to make a new one himself, one that would last. “Instead of buying another one for eigh...
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Features coverage
Calendar & Events
Calendar & Events, Feature...
Calendar & Events
Sept. 17-30, 2026
September 16, 2026
Thursday, September 17 Stillhouse Junkies live music, doors open at 6 p.m. at the Wright Opera House, 472 Main St. in Ouray. Advance tickets $20 at thewrightoperahouse.org, $25 day of show, $35 reserv...
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Colorado’s rocky road to statehood
Columns, Feature...
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...
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Fall sports gear up at Ouray, Ridgway schools
Columns, Feature...
PREP ROUNDUP
Fall sports gear up at Ouray, Ridgway schools
By By Bernie Pearce Special to the Plaindealer 
September 9, 2026
Fall is in the air, and so are volleyballs arcing over the net for remarkable rallies and soccer balls rocketing into the net for breath-taking goals. Fleet feet are crisply hitting the street to conq...
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2026 Labor Day parade and rodeo
Feature
2026 Labor Day parade and rodeo
September 9, 2026
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Calendar & Events
Calendar & Events, Feature...
Calendar & Events
Sept. 10-24, 2026
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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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...
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Special Sections

Best of

Business and Real Estate

Summer Guide

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Editor Picks
Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
With inflated spending, commissioners break faith of voters, staff
September 23, 2026
Dear Editor: It is not surprising that Ouray County finds itself in a financial bind because of profligate spending. The pandemic greatly increased visitation to Ouray County and sales tax revenue has...
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Letters, Opinion...
Areas beyond Blue Lakes deserving of protection
September 23, 2026
Dear Editor: I would like to thank the previous contributors for sharing their thoughts regarding the use of off-road/off-highway vehicles (ORVs/OHVs) in the backcountry, specifically around Camp Bird...
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Closing out Ouray’s hottest summer on record
Columns, Opinion...
Closing out Ouray’s hottest summer on record
By Karen Risch 
September 23, 2026
Summer 2026, from June through August, was overthe- top hot in the Lower 48 states and Ouray as well. It was also the warmest summer “in 132 years of record-keeping.” (Ava Berger, “This summer was hot...
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Worst. Summer. Ever.
Columns, Opinion...
GUEST COLUMN
Worst. Summer. Ever.
By Dave Kehmeier 
September 23, 2026
Wow, what a summer. Is it just me, or does it seem like we’ve been trapped in the UFC Octagon under the Claw on the White House lawn since June getting the stuffing knocked out of us by a tag team of ...
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Steve Easley
Obituaries
Steve Easley
September 23, 2026
June 7, 1950 – September 11, 2026 Steve was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, but grew up in Texas. He met Cheryl when they were young teenagers, beginning a friendship that would grow into a lifelong ...
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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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