County officials praise new rec trail

The new Miller Mesa Recreational Trail is officially open for use on County Road 5. The trail offers long-distance views of the San Juans and Cimarron mountains and is open for year-round use. For information on trail conditions visit âFriends of the Miller Mesa Rec Trailâ group on Facebook. Photo courtesy Rozanne Evans

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By Carolina Brown, on December 3, 2020

Ouray County will officially end years of fighting over recreational access to County Road 5 next week with a settlement agreement involving the newly built Miller Mesa Recreational Trail.

The trail is the result of compromise after years of contention between property owners who wished to snowplow the upper portion of CR 5 to access their land and recreationists who enjoyed using the unmaintained road for winter activities, such as cross-country skiing.

Settlement documents – more than 200 page...

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Ouray administrator finalists make pitch to public, interview panels

By Mike Wiggins

November 15, 2024

The three candidates for the Ouray city administrator job made their pitches Thursday and today for why they should be hired to fill the city’s top job. Daric Harvey, Michelle Metteer and Michael Rees...

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Two needs, one project

Ouray County is wrangling with dual affordable housing and child care crises. Waterview aims to make a dent in both

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

November 14, 2024

In a first for Ouray County — and maybe the country — the Waterview affordable housing development will attempt to solve two problems under one roof. The first of those problems is providing an afford...

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Finalists offer varied experience

Public can meet trio vying for top Ouray job tonight

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

November 13, 2024

The three finalists for Ouray city administrator run the gamut in terms of their work experience. One is a career law enforcement officer. Another is a current administrator in a Colorado mountain tow...

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For reimagined pool bathhouse, all possibilities are on the table

Architect, residents begin thinking about design of new hot springs building

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

November 13, 2024

A larger, brighter entryway. An overhauled locker room that doesn’t place the showers next to the toilets. More gym space. Those were just a few of the opinions Ouray County residents offered Monday w...

Feature

Now in 10th year, Ridgway film fest finds ‘growth spurt’

Running through Sunday, annual event screens 76 films, offers block party, workshops, panel discussions

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

November 13, 2024

Arielle Bielak thinks of the Ridgway Independent Film Festival as a child. In its infancy, it was a novel, inward-facing event, screening a handful of films for a small audience for a night or two. Th...

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Clerk to commissioners: Revamp meetings to increase efficiency

Recommended changes include concise BOCC comments, adopting consent agenda

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

November 13, 2024

Ouray County leaders will refine meeting processes for efficiency to benefit the public and county staff following a request from the county clerk and recorder. These meetings should be a friendly pro...

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Trial set for March in Ridgway sex assault case

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

November 13, 2024

A judge has set a five-day trial in March for a Ridgway man accused of sexually assaulting a woman last year. Defense attorney Vince Felletter entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of 49-year-old Brian ...

Feature

The juniper and the Townsend’s Solitaire

By Mary Menz Special to the Plaindealer

November 13, 2024

Birds typically limit their singing to spring and summer when defending their territories and trying to attract mates. But when the calendar rolls into fall, migratory species travel to warmer climate...

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Judge orders sex assault suspect to be tried as adult

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

November 13, 2024

A judge has ruled that a teenager accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl inside the home of the now-former Ouray police chief days before he turned 18 will be prosecuted as an adult. Sevent...

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County revises budget, boosts allocations to sheriff’s office

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

November 13, 2024

The majority of more than $379,400 in general fund expenditures added to the county's $23.8 million 2025 spending proposed in September is going toward the Ouray County Sheriff ’s Office. During a fir...

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NEWS BRIEFS

Grant award celebration planned

November 13, 2024

Grant award celebration planned The Ouray County Community Fund will be celebrating grants to 23 local nonprofits during an award ceremony at 5 p.m. Nov. 21 in the Decker Room at Space to Create, 675 ...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines