âWhat Iâm here for is the firefighterâ

Ian Stebbins fills plates behind Chef Jason Pectol, who is carving brisket for fire crews during the farewell dinner for the Cow Creek Fire camp last week. Plaindealer photo by Erin McIntyre

By Erin McIntyre, on October 30, 2019

Ian Stebbins fills plates behind Chef Jason Pectol, who is carving brisket for fire crews during the farewell dinner for the Cow Creek Fire camp last week. Plaindealer photo by Erin McIntyre

Amber Gonzales normally works at Wal-Mart in Pahrump, Nevada.

But on this day, she’s standing by the table stacked with cheesecake slices swaddled in plastic wrap on plates, encouraging everyone to take one so they don’t miss out.

She’s wearing her coat as she wipes down tables in this tent of fire cre...

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SUITE DREAMS ON STAGE

December 18, 2024

Dancer Ruby Noel, pictured at the center, reacts with the rest of the snowfl ake ballerinas during a scene. The dance program included more than 100 young dancers from across the region.

Main, News...

Ridgway carried Padgett to victory

County voters' favor for Democratic candidates stronger than ever

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

December 18, 2024

Just like four years ago, Democrat Lynn Padgett has Ridgway-area voters primarily to thank for lifting her to victory and securing a second four-year term as a Ouray County commissioner. Padgett won 5...

News

County mulls bolstering weapons ban

Commissioners weigh options with new state law that prohibits firearms in "sensitive spaces"

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

December 18, 2024

Ouray County leaders are considering more stringent rules prompted by a new state law which prohibits firearms in “sensitive spaces” like local government buildings where the county commissioners have...

News

Ridgway athletic complex near full funding threshold

Commitments to soccer field, track now just $300K shy of $3.6M

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

December 18, 2024

If advocates for a new athletic complex behind Ridgway Secondary School were running a 5-kilometer race to raise the funding needed for the project, they’d now be approaching mile marker 3. The finish...

News

City boosts housing help for administrator

Contract for Michelle Metteer grants $1,000 monthly rent stipend for a year or $250,000 loan to buy

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

December 18, 2024

To bring aboard a new city administrator in 2020, Ouray city officials knew they would have to include some perks that, at the time, were unique to the city. A six-figure salary, a taxpayer-paid cellp...

News

For park, 30th birthday is ice-ing on the cake

Ouray Ice Park opens this weekend, marks anniversary season with new competition, livestreaming

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

December 18, 2024

The Ouray Ice Park is entering its third decade strong, hosting a number of new features and a new competition for the 2024-25 season, the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation Ice Clim...

News

County OKs water plant near Colona

Padgett dissents, wants to see environmental assessment _irst

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

December 18, 2024

A water treatment plant proposed for U.S. Highway 550 near Colona is a step closer to being built after the Ouray County commissioners voted 2-1 Tuesday to approve a special-use permit for the facilit...

News

Town administrator gets high marks, salary raise

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

December 18, 2024

The Ridgway Town Council awarded Town Administrator Preston Neill high marks again in his annual evaluation, along with a salary bump in recognition of his leadership and performance. Councilors speci...

Feature

SEASON OF SHARING

Season of Sharing 2024: Ouray County Peacejam

December 18, 2024

Editor’s note: The Ouray County Plaindealer started publishing profiles of nonprofits between Thanksgiving and New Year’s in 2020 as a community service. The purpose of these profiles is to highlight ...

Feature

SEASON OF SHARING

Season of Sharing 2024: Second Chance Humane Society

December 18, 2024

Feature

SEASON OF SHARING

Season of Sharing 2024: Ouray Elks Lodge #492

December 18, 2024

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines