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Latest News
Main, News...
Disaster tax not ‘backfill’ for fire costs, leaders say
By Chart Riggall 
September 16, 2026
In the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s declaration of the Gold M...
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News
Town considers options for sewer plant location
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
September 16, 2026
The Ridgway Town Council wants to see some dollar estimates before dec...
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News
City prepared to pay fees for housing project
Despite some councilors' misgivings, Ouray in line to give more money to deed-restricted apartment complex
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
September 16, 2026
The city of Ouray is set to provide up to $225,000 to a nonprofit orga...
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County: Layoffs likely
Main, News...
County: Layoffs likely
Commissioners, administrators warn of job cuts to close $1.5 million gap; staff criticizes leaders for not addressing problem earlier
By James Hanlon 
September 16, 2026
Ouray County will likely need to lay off employees to make up a projected $1.5 million gap between requested expenses and revenue next year, county officials warned at a budget workshop on Sept. 9. The county's general fund reserves are currently at $400,000 — about $2 million lower than the target level — after commissioners decided to dip into savings to bridge their budget gap last year. The ga...
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News
Local Briefs
Gold Mountain Fire closure area reduced
September 16, 2026
The closure area associated with the Gold Mountain Fire was reduced on Tuesday, reopening several roads and recreation areas in time for fall color season. The reopened areas include Owl Creek Pass, S...
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Looking Back
News
Looking Back
September 16, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago September 15, 1966 A Ouray County man, Rodney Adkins, accidentally shot himself while...
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News
News
County won’t fill deputy emergency manager job
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
September 16, 2026
Ouray County Manager Antonio Mendez will recommend county commissioners not rehire a deputy emergency manager in order to save costs, he told staff at a meeting about budget cuts Tuesday morning at th...
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Calendar & Events
News
Calendar & Events
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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Main, News...
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 the drought of 2026 ranked in the annals of long, hot Colorado summers. For Cary Denison, Ouray County’s representative on the Co...
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Crews working to plug old water well
News
Crews working to plug old water well
Operation part of state program to reclaim abandoned sites
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
September 9, 2026
It’s not what you think. A towering steel drill that’s been perched along the side of U.S. Highway 550 in recent weeks isn’t probing for gas, or oil, or even a route to the Far East. The operation is ...
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News
Parking enforcement nixes popular highway camping spot
By By James Hanlon james@ouraynews.com 
September 9, 2026
Officials cite concerns about safety, health at Tuffy's Corner A highway pullout popular for overnight camper parking north of Ouray has been empty in recent weeks since ‘no camping’ signs were instal...
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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...
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Features coverage
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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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...
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Editor Picks
Letters, Opinion...
With water shortage, recreation shouldn’t trump irrigators
By tecnavia 
September 16, 2026
Dear Editor: Regarding the Aspen Journalism article that published in the Sept. 10 edition of the Plaindealer, I would like to respond to statements made by RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service owner Tim Pat...
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Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Local agencies can do more to protect public lands
September 16, 2026
Dear Editor: The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service are proposing two management changes with profound effects on our public lands throughout the West and in our local mountain...
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Suzanne K. Brown
Obituaries
Suzanne K. Brown
September 16, 2026
Suzanne Kay Kircher was born to parents Ken and Doral Kircher on April 1, 1941 in Twin Falls, Idaho. Throughout her life she put up with mild teasing about being an April Fool's baby. She attended sch...
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A barrel of fun on Labor Day
Main
A barrel of fun on Labor Day
September 9, 2026
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Main
Trump declares disaster for fire
By By Chart Riggall chart@ouraynews.com 
September 9, 2026
Move frees up federal relief money President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for the Gold Mountain and Aspen Acres fires, unlocking millions of dollars in Federal Emergency Manageme...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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