We strive to publish letters that comply with the following terms:
• 400 word limit. Letters that are longer than the limit will be either returned to the author or edited for length for publication, at the editor’s discretion.
• Letters written by artificial intelligence like ChatGPT or other AI programs will not be published.
• Letters should address a local issue important to those living in Ouray County or the region. The letters page is meant to encourage sharing of local opinions on local issues. Summaries of events or press releases intended to replace news articles are not accepted. Letters promoting events or businesses are not accepted.
• Letters should be signed with home addresses, phone numbers and email addresses for verification purposes (not for publication). Anonymous letters or letters signed with pseudonyms will not be accepted.
• The Plaindealer is able to accept letters authored by one or two people, with contact information included. Due to resources required for verification, the Plaindealer does not accept letters signed by groups of people.
• Letters thanking supporters of specific causes or events will be redirected to reach Plaindealer readers with a “card of thanks” advertisement.
• Letters including personal attacks, crude or hateful language, inciting violence or disrespectful comments about race, sexual orientation, gender, religion or culture will be rejected.
• Editors will not accept previously published letters, mass mailings, form letters or “open letters” addressed to other individuals.
• For ethical reasons, authors should be forthcoming and disclose any personal or financial interest in the subject matter of their letters.
• Letters may be edited for clarity, spelling and grammar, without affecting the opinions expressed by the authors. The Plaindealer fact-checks letters as best as it can with the resources and time available.
• Emailed letters are preferred due to staff resources, though mailed letters may also be considered.
• To encourage participation by a variety of voices, we reserve the right to limit the frequency letters are published from an individual author. Authors may be limited to contributing once per month, as space allows.
• For the best chance of printing in a timely fashion, please submit no later than noon Monday of the week of publication. Same-week publication is not guaranteed. If you would like to guarantee publication of a message in the paper on a specific date, we can provide a way to reach Plaindealer readers through advertising.
