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Latest News
Main, News...
Bills to give reservoir to Ouray debut in Congress
Administrator: City can afford repair expenses, which are still unknown
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 18, 2026
U.S. House and Senate bills to transfer ownership of Crystal Reservoir...
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News
County spurns prairie dog control request
Commissioners say they're unwilling, unable to adopt restrictions; resident withdraws lawsuit threat
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 18, 2026
Ouray County leaders last week snuffed a resident’s request to require...
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News
Local Briefs
Ridgway awards visitor services contract to chamber
February 18, 2026
Ridgway will hire the Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce for $33,824 per...
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Helping the helpers: The anatomy of a complex rescue
Main, News...
NEIGHBORS AND HELPERS
Helping the helpers: The anatomy of a complex rescue
Volunteers saved an 11-year-old girl from the bottom of a cliff thanks largely to the skills of Mike Gibbs, who's made a career out of training rescuers
By By Nancy Lofholm Special to the Plaindealer 
February 18, 2026
It took Mike Gibbs all of five seconds on that morning in early August to figure out it was time to execute one of the world’s most complicated rope rescues. A car had tumbled 320 feet off the edge of the Million Dollar Highway a few miles south of Ouray. The crumpled silver Honda was sitting in a stream at the bottom of the chasm with an unknown number of victims inside. Gibbs had no idea if anyo...
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News
Town approves measures to boost housing affordability
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
February 18, 2026
The Ridgway Town Council approved three measures at its meeting on Feb. 11 to boost affordable housing in the town. Ridgway applying for ADU grant Ridgway is applying for a grant that will allow it to...
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Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
In time of need, Ouray County shows up
February 18, 2026
Dear Editor: On behalf of the Ouray County Coroner’s Office, I want to express our sincere gratitude to this community for stepping up when it mattered most. Over the past few weeks, our office manage...
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News
Looking Back
News
Looking Back
February 18, 2026
Compiled from the files of The Ouray County Herald, The Ridgway Sun, and The Ouray County Plaindealer 60 Years Ago February 24, 1966 Fast work by the Ouray Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday evenin...
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News
Ballot initiative would add public access right to constitution
By Sara Wilson Colorado Newsline 
February 18, 2026
Colorado voters could be asked this year to amend the state’s constitution to include the right to know the goings-on of state and local governments through public meetings and open records. A ballot ...
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News
Incentives may factor into 4-H Center hire
Board weighs paying manager based on events booked at c urrently closed facility
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 18, 2026
Ouray County commissioners may hire a 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds manager who would be paid based on how many events are held at the venue. Commissioners reached that conclusion during a Feb. 10 ...
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Main, News...
EMS plans to shift staff, save costs
Chief seeks to rely less on higher-paid paramedics
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 11, 2026
Ouray County Emergency Medical Services wants to implement a new staffing structure this spring to save costs and prepare for a combined fire and emergency services authority. During a Jan. 28 work se...
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Formerly a cash cow, bloom wilts on cannabis
Main, News...
Formerly a cash cow, bloom wilts on cannabis
Industry slump marked by reduction in wholesale flower prices leaves just one grow facility in county, shaves local government tax revenue
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
February 11, 2026
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Michael Cox is the former general manager for Dalwhinnie Group, the landlord for Dalwhinnie Farms. The cannabis industry’s downturn has rea...
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News
County navigating federal assistance program changes
Human Services seeks to avoid burdening families with creation of regional hubs
By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer 
February 11, 2026
Ouray County officials are working to figure out what it will mean for clients needing food and other assistance when the Colorado Department of Human Services consolidates resources by creating multi...
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Features coverage
Calendar & Events
Calendar & Events, Feature...
Calendar & Events
Feb. 19-28, 2026
February 18, 2026
Thursday, February 19 Community book club, noon-1 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library. Bring lunch and discuss "The Road to Tender Hearts" by Annie Hartnett. Tech Thursday – Get help with quick tech pr...
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Wine Fest returns to Ouray
Feature
Wine Fest returns to Ouray
By Plaindealer Staff Report Plaindealer@ouraynews.com 
February 11, 2026
The fourth annual Ouray Winter Wine Festival just happens to fall on Valentine's Day this year. And that means not only will there be wine — there will be flowers, chocolate and more goodies to help s...
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How science fiction, silver built Mount Sneffels
Columns, Feature...
How science fiction, silver built Mount Sneffels
By Carolyn Snowbarger 
February 11, 2026
For those of us lucky enough to step onto our decks or open our front doors to a view of the northern San Juans, one silhouette dominates the horizon: Mount Sneffels. Known as the "Queen of the San Ju...
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Senior’s work ethic pays off with superb season
Columns, Feature...
Senior’s work ethic pays off with superb season
By By Bernie Pearce Special to the Plaindealer 
February 11, 2026
The majority of high school student-athletes in Ouray County are headed on a post-graduation pathway in a career in something other than sports. But for some, their drive to excel extends to a desire ...
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Calendar & Events
Calendar & Events, Feature...
Calendar & Events
February 11, 2026
Thursday, February 12 Tech Thursday – Get help with quick tech problems from 4-6 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library, 300 Charles St. Walk-ins welcome. After school Valentine's Day craft time for eleme...
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Good for you! Uncompahgre STEAM Fair
Feature
Good for you! Uncompahgre STEAM Fair
February 4, 2026
The “Good For You!” page is a place for reader-submitted photos illustrating community, celebrations and more. Want to submit a photo for publication? Here are some guidelines for submissions: - This ...
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Editor Picks
Letters, Opinion...
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Bonds between students credit to Ouray families
February 18, 2026
Dear Editor: There are many instances where we are told that our children’s behavior is not a reflection of their parenting. As a parent of a sometimes rebellious child, I welcome that sentiment. But ...
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Letters, Opinion...
Rural or urban, access to lawmakers vital
February 18, 2026
Dear Editor: Several months ago, I attempted to contact Rep. Jeff Hurd regarding an issue in Ouray County. Upon calling his office, I was connected to a voicemail that stated the best way to contact h...
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News
Crosswalk project bids over budget
City could cut costs or seek more money from state
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
February 11, 2026
Ouray city officials are weighing next steps after a trio of bids to build a pair of pedestrian crosswalks and other improvements at either end of town exceeded the project budget. Public Works Direct...
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Columns
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Avoid idling cars, make street pedestrian mall
February 11, 2026
Dear Editor: On a beautiful, warm winter day I propped open the front door of the Decker Room at the Art Space on Clinton Street. My intention was to invite in the sun and any passersby who might be e...
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Seeing isn’t always believing: Improve your news literacy on Feb. 22
Columns
Seeing isn’t always believing: Improve your news literacy on Feb. 22
By Erin McIntyre 
February 11, 2026
"I'll believe it when I see it" and "seeing is believing" are two phrases that haven't aged well. Nowadays, I'm skeptical of videos friends send me, photos that look like someone manipulated them and ...
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Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

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