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Latest News
Rain on burn scar triggers flooding, evacuation
Main, News...
Rain on burn scar triggers flooding, evacuation
Hydrologist: Above-average rain forecast through September
By Chart Riggall 
July 29, 2026
Heavy rainfall over scorched soil sent flash floods raging down Cutler...
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Fire scorches bottom lines
Main, News...
Fire scorches bottom lines
Reliant on summer tourism, reeling businesses running out of time to claw back lost revenue
By Mike Wiggins, Chart Riggall and Erin McIntyre 
July 29, 2026
It didn’t take but a spark and a stiff breeze to turn Justin Mitchell’...
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News
Governments team up on flood mitigation
City, nonprofits pitch in $165,000, while financially pinched county searches for more funding
By Mike Wiggins and Erin McIntyre mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com 
July 29, 2026
Government agencies and nonprofit organizations have begun stepping up...
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Evacuations ordered near Cutler Creek as rain pummels burn scar
Main, News...
Evacuations ordered near Cutler Creek as rain pummels burn scar
Oak Street closed due to mud, flooding
By Mike 
July 29, 2026
UPDATE, 9:45 p.m. U.S. Highway 550 reopened between Ridgway and Ouray Wednesday night, authorities announced at 9:15 p.m. Emergency officials encouraged motorists to be cautions when driving through areas that recently flooded. Ouray County commissioners will hold an emergency meeting at 10:30 a.m. Thursday to discuss tonight's flash flooding in Cutler Creek and other impacts. ––––––––––––––––––––...
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Feature
Ridgway-area homes featured on Home Trust tour
By Plaindealer Staff Report Plaindealer@ouraynews.com 
July 29, 2026
An eclectic mix of Ridgway-area houses are on the Home Trust of Ouray County's tour this weekend, with homeowners opening their homes to participants to help raise funds for affordable housing. This y...
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Feature
Equal parts romantic comedy, moral conflict, ‘Love’s Labors Lost’ takes stage in Ouray
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 29, 2026
Forty years after he wrote his senior thesis about “Love’s Labors Lost,” one of William Shakespeare’s seldom-seen, early comedies still resonates with John Kissingford. As a student at Princeton Unive...
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News
‘Big box’ tightens on Gold Mountain Fire
Main, News...
‘Big box’ tightens on Gold Mountain Fire
Aided by cooler temps, rain, firefighters increase containment to 24%
By Chart Riggall 
July 22, 2026
Surveying a sprawling map of the northern San Juans last week, Mike Smith was deep in a geometry of fire. Fingers tracing fire lines and ridges, Smith – the current incident commander over Gold Mounta...
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Spring targeted for tree-thinning effort
News
Spring targeted for tree-thinning effort
Without additional funding, original scope for Ouray-area project may reduced
By Chart Riggall 
July 22, 2026
A joint wildfire mitigation effort to remove dead or diseased trees from the city of Ouray’s perimeter is expected to move forward next spring, though with a potentially more limited scope. Officials ...
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News
City reorganizes planning department
Administrator ditches director post, divides duties among consultant, staff
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 22, 2026
Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer is overhauling the city’s community development department, dividing responsibilities among a third-party consultant and two city employees rather than consol...
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News
Ridgway to market itself as destination, not crossroads
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
July 22, 2026
A consultant has recommended that Ridgway reimagine its marketing campaign to bring outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs and regional explorers to town. The idea is to shift tourists’ perception away fr...
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Ouray County Fair still scheduled for Aug. 13-15
News
Ouray County Fair still scheduled for Aug. 13-15
July 22, 2026
The 109th annual Ouray County Fair is scheduled to proceed as planned, even if the fairgrounds remain the headquarters for the Gold Mountain Fire operations. The fair is scheduled from Aug. 13-15 at t...
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News
Local news briefs
Ridgway waives work requirement for affordable housing unit, Ouray library adds drop box and more
By Plaindealer Staff 
July 22, 2026
Ouray library to add outdoor drop box The Ouray Public Library will install a book return drop box outside the Ouray Community Center, allowing patrons to return items any time of day. The Ouray City ...
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Features coverage
Looking Back
Feature
Looking Back
By Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 
July 29, 2026
60 Years Ago July 28, 1966 High cables across the Uncompahgre valley and river, leading from a mountainside to the Silver Shield Mill, are to come down this weekend, according to Warren H. Gibbs. Gibb...
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Good for you!
Feature
Good for you!
July 29, 2026
The Wizards of the West celebrate winning the Ouray Parks & Rec Softball League Championship on Tuesday, finishing their season with a 10-2 record. Pictured here in the back row from left to right are...
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Shop owner swaps calculator for chisel
Feature
Shop owner swaps calculator for chisel
Western Slope native buys Ouray Hardware & Mercantile
By By Chloe Kiparsky Special to the Plaindealer 
July 29, 2026
Jon Pollard’s life changed when he and his wife, Jessica, bought Ouray Hardware & Mercantile on May 1. For 21 years, his career had been in the H&R Block franchise. He said he “wore many hats” during ...
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New bakery humming right along
Feature
New bakery humming right along
From bread to cinnamon rolls to bagels, sourdough stars at space tucked into Ouray KOA campground
By By Chloe Kiparsky Special to the Plaindealer 
July 29, 2026
Taylor Popovich began her baking journey terrified that she would ruin her husband's sourdough starter when he asked her to feed it. Three years later, she now enjoys baking daily for their business, ...
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Calendar & Events
Calendar & Events, Feature...
Calendar & Events
July 29, 2026
Thursday, July 30 Ridgway Concert Series: The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. and opener Handmade Moments free concert in Hartwell Park, 6 p.m. No dogs or outside alcohol allowed. "Love's ...
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Toth seeks to grow Wright Opera House’s appeal
Feature
SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS
Toth seeks to grow Wright Opera House’s appeal
By By Chloe Kiparsky Special to the Plaindealer 
July 22, 2026
When Heather Toth moved to Ouray County in 2013, her first question was, “Where’s the theater; where’s the art space?” The arts are a necessity, not a luxury, according to Toth. She values third space...
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Special Sections

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Editor Picks
Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Thank you, community
July 29, 2026
Dear Editor: We were getting ready for bed the evening of June 27 when our power went out. Shortly after we received the evacuation alert on our phone. At this point we were unaware of the fire. We lo...
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Rain helps, but region still mired in drought
Columns, Opinion...
Rain helps, but region still mired in drought
By Karen Risch 
July 29, 2026
Two weeks ago, the southwest monsoon arrived, bringing relief to these parched landscapes and their residents. Most afternoons since then, Ouray has had measurable rain. But the condition of these mou...
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County eyes recovery funds
Main
County eyes recovery funds
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
July 22, 2026
Federal program could offer nearly $3 million — if cash-poor leaders can find matching dollars Ouray County could receive nearly $3 million in federal funding to protect homes, roads and other infrast...
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Ride-along reveals value of alpine ranger program
Columns, Opinion...
GUEST COLUMN
Ride-along reveals value of alpine ranger program
By Sue Dreamweaver Spielman 
July 22, 2026
I'm not a Jeep enthusiast or an off-highway vehicle user, but I am a hiker and photographer who cares deeply about our high-country environment. After recent discussions at county commissioners' meeti...
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Good For You!
Feature
Good For You!
July 22, 2026
Proud parents Katie and Willem Geyer of Ouray welcomed their son Willem “Liam” Pieter Geyer to the world at 5:52 p.m. on July 14, weighing 6 lbs. 8 oz. Liam, also known by his nickname "Pork Chop," wa...
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First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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