Spotlight on the Arts: Natalie Heller

Ridgway photographer Natalie Heller's portrait of a fox has become one of her most famous photos at Lone Cone Photography. Photo courtesy Natalie Heller.

By Kaitlyn Winkelmann, on October 27, 2022

Ridgway photographer Natalie Heller's portrait of a fox has become one of her most famous photos at Lone Cone Photography. Photo courtesy Natalie Heller.

Editor’s note: The Ouray County Plaindealer is pleased to feature local artists in an occasional feature, ‘Spotlight on the Arts.’ This is the first installation of this new feature, which has a goal of highlighting various artists in Ouray County and connecting them with our readers. Want to be considered for a future spotlig...

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 ...

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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