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Latest News
Mine owner proposes water treatment
Main, News...
Mine owner proposes water treatment
Unable to reduce heavy metals in Red Mountain Creek, Newmont exploring building plant atop pass
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
April 29, 2026
The company that owns the Idarado Mine is exploring the idea of buildi...
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News
Town mulls affordable housing mandate
Ridgway may require 10% of units to be deed restricted
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 29, 2026
The town of Ridgway will consider requiring developers to reserve 10% ...
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News
County appoints new planning commissioner
By LIA SALVATIERRA 
April 29, 2026
Ouray County commissioners unanimously appointed Danika Gilbert to the...
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Evacuation drill an exercise not in futility
Main, News...
Evacuation drill an exercise not in futility
County's first full-scale training May 15 meant to 'test where our holes are'
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 29, 2026
Sirens will wail and residents will likely see emergency vehicles headed through Ridgway, up County Road 5 on May 15. Traffic will filter back into town, with residents headed to an evacuation center. But there's no need to panic. It's just a drill – the county's first full-scale evacuation exercise. The practice evacuation begins at 9 a.m. that Friday, and involves more than 20 agencies, resident...
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County raises 4-H use fees
News
County raises 4-H use fees
Commissioners approve first facility rate increase since 2015
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 29, 2026
Fees for using the Ouray County 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds are going up for the first time in more than a decade, with the aim of making the facility’s operations self-sustaining. It’s the large...
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News
County holds firm on road access
Commissioners issue notice of violation to high alpine property owners, seek removal of gates
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 29, 2026
Ouray County may sue the owners of properties north of Red Mountain Pass if they don’t agree to remove two gates and restore public access to a road owned by the county and the U.S. Forest Service. Co...
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News
News
CORRECTION
April 29, 2026
A news brief on Page 3 in the April 16-22 edition about a faulty culvert mischaracterized comments made by Ouray County Road and Bridge Superintendent Ty Barger. Barger did not say the culvert was ins...
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News
City to spend $25K on alternative July 4 entertainment
By Mike Wiggins 
April 29, 2026
The city of Ouray will spend $25,000 on additional entertainment for the Fourth of July, in case the traditional nighttime fireworks display is curtailed or canceled due to high fire danger. City coun...
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Plaindealer earns 11 awards in four-state contest
News
Plaindealer earns 11 awards in four-state contest
By Plaindealer Staff Report Plaindealer@ouraynews.com 
April 29, 2026
The Ouray County Plaindealer took home 11 awards last weekend from the four-state Society of Professional Journalists' Top of the Rockies' Excellence in Journalism competition for the newspaper's work...
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News
City of Ouray, Rural Homes reach settlement in ditch dispute
Settlement reached in ditch dispute
April 29, 2026
The city of Ouray and the developer of the Waterview Homes affordable housing development have settled a lawsuit against the owner of a ditch that crosses the property. City councilors on April 20 vot...
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City takes plunge on hot springs repairs
Main, News...
City takes plunge on hot springs repairs
Council approves $286,568 contract to resurface, replace tiles in overlook pools in September
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
April 22, 2026
The city of Ouray will spend more than $280,000 to resurface the hottest soaking areas at the Ouray Hot Springs Pool this fall, a repair pool managers say is vital to maintaining one of the city’s mos...
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News
County leaders campaign for merger
Commissioner claims benefits to combined fire, EMS; Log Hill Fire District concerned about structure, cost
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 22, 2026
Ouray County leaders last week campaigned for a combined countywide fire and emergency services authority at a Log Hill Mesa Fire Protection District meeting, while the district’s board of directors a...
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Features coverage
Looking Back
Feature
Looking Back
April 29, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago April 28, 1966 The postal savings system, a long-time institution of the United State...
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After big rivalry win, Ridgway eyeing playoffs
Feature
PREP ROUNDUP
After big rivalry win, Ridgway eyeing playoffs
By By Bernie Pearce Special to the Plaindealer 
April 29, 2026
The Ridgway girls’ soccer team took the home field ranked No. 12 in Class 2A for a pivotal rematch against long-time nemesis and second-ranked Crested Butte on April 21. The Titans had bested a short-...
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Spirit of Ridgway shines at new retail store
Feature
Spirit of Ridgway shines at new retail store
San Juan landscapes featured prominently at second location for ColoradoCool Apparel
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 29, 2026
Ridgway pride rings loud at Colorado-Cool Apparel, where the distinct skyline of the Cimarron Range and symmetry of the Sneffels Range embellish walls full of colorful hats and shirts bearing the word...
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New eatery focused on family, local farms
Feature
New eatery focused on family, local farms
Maven opens in historic building remodeled after fire
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
April 29, 2026
Maven Local Eatery is a farm-to-table family affair. The restaurant, which opened earlier this month at 540 Clinton St. in Ridgway, is owned and managed by a fusion of blood and chosen family. Two of ...
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Calendar & Events
Calendar & Events, Feature...
Calendar & Events
April 30-May 13, 2026
April 29, 2026
THURSDAY APRIL 30 "Sinners" film, tickets $5, doors open at 6:30 p.m. and movie starts at 7 p.m. at the Wright Opera House, 472 Main St. in Ouray. Tech Thursday – Get help with quick tech problems fro...
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Ridgway soccer continues hot streak
Feature
Ridgway soccer continues hot streak
April 22, 2026
Ridgway's Reya Lawler (8) clashes with Bayfield's Aubree Tideman (4) for possession during nonleague action on April 18 at Bayfield High School. The Class 2A Demons sewed up a five-match away stretch ...
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Special Sections

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Editor Picks
Letters, Opinion...
MTN Lodge’s refusal to pay tax appalling
By Sheridan Ribbing 
April 29, 2026
Dear Editor: I’m appalled at the MTN Lodge's blatant refusal to pay the lodging tax to the town of Ridgway. MTN Lodge has entered into a multiyear agreement with Merrimac Ventures to lease out all of ...
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Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Road through Calhoon land is indeed public
By Jennifer Cram 
April 29, 2026
Dear Editor: I am writing to respond to the paid advertisement by Aaron Calhoon in last week's Plaindealer. There is no doubt that the Calhoons are well-liked, respected and valued long-time members o...
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Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
More needs to be done to protect Yankee Boy
By Alex Menard 
April 29, 2026
Dear Editor: The Ouray County Commissioners' work session on April 15 discussed plans to repair damage to the road in Yankee Boy Basin. The discussion was centered on repair of road areas damaged by a...
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Super El Niño could be boon for parched area
Columns, Opinion...
Super El Niño could be boon for parched area
By Karen Risch 
April 29, 2026
After three months of desperately dry Colorado weather, there’s finally good news. ENSO-neutral conditions are now present and favored from April-June (80% chance). “From May-July 2026, El Niño is lik...
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Letters, Opinion...
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Szwarc’s credentials suit him for SMPA board
By Al Lowande 
April 29, 2026
Dear Editor: Our electric cooperative, San Miguel Power Association, will be conducting an election in June for the board of director position representing Ridgway area and Log Hill Mesa. As we know, ...
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First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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Ridgway, Colorado 81432
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