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Leaders object to public lands sale

Conservationists, ranchers, elected officials decry bill, though battle over federal property may return

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

July 2, 2025

Recent federal proposals to sell or develop Ouray County’s public land...

Main, News...

Sex assault trial moved to Montrose

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

July 2, 2025

A judge has ordered the trial of a man accused of sexually assaulting ...

Feature

Celebrating the Fourth in Ouray? Load up on sunscreen, patience, courtesy

Private security to help with traffic, parking, so law enforcement can be more proactive

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

July 2, 2025

The sights and sounds of the Fourth of July in Ouray are ubiquitous. T...

Main, News...

Get into the groove

July 2, 2025

Carrie Ann Mund, left, dances with Tawnya Schiebel during the Mariachi de San Jose band’s performance in Ridgway’s Hartwell Park on June 29. The band performed as part of the fifth annual Fete de la Musique, an outdoor music festival that Weehawken Creative Arts and the Sherbino Theater launched during the pandemic. Erin McIntyre – Ouray County Plaindealer

News

New weapons policy would ban public, allow employees to conceal carry

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

July 2, 2025

County leaders are debating a new policy that would ban the public from carrying any weapons within Ouray County buildings but allow county employees with valid permits to conceal carry weapons in mos...

News

County to debate Yankee Boy Basin restrictions

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

July 2, 2025

Ouray County officials will hold a work session to consider a resident's request to partially restrict motorized access in Yankee Boy Basin, which cited safety and environmental concerns. Resident Jen...

News

Fire bans imposed throughout region

By Plaindealer Staff Report Plaindealer@ouraynews.com

July 2, 2025

Several governments in the region adopted stage 1 fire restrictions this week, making it illegal to use personal fireworks, have any sort of open burning or lighting campfires outside permanent fire p...

News

Group to guide fire, EMS merger

Log Hill Fire expresses doubts about proposal

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

July 2, 2025

The effort to merge Ouray County’s emergency medical and fire services into one entity is moving forward under the guidance of a working group. The group will include the county sheriff and emergency ...

News

Independence Day in Ouray: What you need to know

July 2, 2025

The daytime population of Ouray will swell to several times its normal size on Friday, when thousands of people converge for the Fourth of July. Some things to keep in mind as you enjoy the festivitie...

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 Jun...

Main, News...

Town clamps down on water usage

As supplies dry up, Ridgway stops watering parks, urges residents to conserve

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

June 25, 2025

Ridgway town leaders are cracking down on water use, fearing limited supplies won't last the summer if they don't convince residents to curb their watering habits now. The town announced Wednesday mor...

News

Sheriff sees more calls, shorter responses in 2024

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 25, 2025

The Ouray County Sheriff’s Office reported a 25% boost in most calls for service and shorter response times in 2024 compared to 2023. During an annual report to county commissioners Tuesday, the depar...

Feature

Meet your neighbor: Robert Stoufer

By By Chloe Kiparsky Plaindealer intern

July 2, 2025

Name: Robert Stoufer Age: 73 Lives in: Ouray When did you come to Ouray? I studied to be a geologist, but I never did geology for a living. I went to college in Mississippi, and did grad school in Kan...

Columns, Feature...

County’s historic churches home to ample stories

By Carolyn Snowbarger

July 2, 2025

When does a mining camp truly become a town? It happens legally with official documents of incorporation. It occurs economically when businesses arrive to support the mining interests. Its culture beg...

Calendar & Events, Feature...

Calendar & Events

July 3-17, 2025

July 2, 2025

THURSDAY JULY 3 CEMETERY TOUR: Dallas Park Cemetery tour with sexton Coleen McElroy, 10 a.m., 7690 Colorado Highway 62. $20 per person, RSVP to the Ouray County Museum at 970-325-4576. CONCERT: Courth...

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. ...

Feature

Cafe offers fresh food with side of antiques

Cassidy's Cafe & Antiques opening in July in Ouray

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 25, 2025

It feels like an original Ouray mining house fused with an antique showroom. A refurbished wooden sliding door conceals the kitchen, an old-school storefront sign reading Smith-Strand & Co. hangs over...

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...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Sign money could have been better spent

July 2, 2025

Dear Editor: We were out camping last weekend and received a call from a tenant in our Main Street commercial building. She was upset about the new sign that went up in front of our building. It block...

Letters, Opinion...

Cuts harm forecasts

July 2, 2025

Dear Editor: I write in support of Karen Risch's column last week about staffing at the National Weather Service office in Grand Junction. Federal budget cuts have inhibited efforts to restaff the off...

Letters, Opinion...

Congrats, Swiss Village

July 2, 2025

Dear Editor: Congratulations to the residents for your success at preserving Swiss Village Mobile Home Park! Your perseverance paid off. Thank you to Jay and Jackie, civic-minded people all along, who...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Stay vigilant to ensure no public lands sold

July 2, 2025

Dear Editor: Congressman Hurd has thankfully come on board to oppose the sale of public lands, which are vitally important to the citizens of Colorado. Hunters, fishermen, hikers, mountain bikers, dir...

Letters, Opinion...

Hideous Main Street signs should be removed

July 2, 2025

Dear Editor: After returning from out of town and seeing the new, hideous signs on Main Street, my initial thought was that our town has lost its integrity. The signs are out of scale—too large, too l...

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