Ridgway carried Padgett to victory

The map above shows the five precincts in Ouray County, delineated by the purple lines. Precincts 3 and 5, which include the town of Ridgway, the southern end of Log Hill, Pleasant Valley, Dallas Meadows and Elk Meadows, showed the strongest support for Democrat Lynn Padgett in her successful bid for re-election. Map courtesy Ouray County Geographic Information System Department

Main, News

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com on December 18, 2024

County voters' favor for Democratic candidates stronger than ever

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.

Main, News...

The man behind the tower

Marcus Garcia's 'artwork' serves as focal point of Ice Fest competition

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 22, 2025

It peers out from the Uncompahgre Gorge like a swan with a body of rock and ice, daring climbers to reach its head. Rooted at the foot of the gorge, a slab of rock is sandwiched between two distinct s...

Main, News...

Ouray to take over via ferrata

Nonpro_it to transition out of management, as guides, users hail move

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

January 22, 2025

The city of Ouray is expected to take charge of the operations of the Ouray Via Ferrata within the next year, overseeing an outdoor attraction that has simultaneously surged in popularity and stirred ...

News

Legislators to back K-12 funding, rural values

Suckla seeks to equalize state funding; Simpson wants to bolster prosecutor fellowship program

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 22, 2025

Ouray County’s state legislators are looking to fast-track state funds into local coffers, help staff district attorneys’ offices and uphold the state’s commitment to fully fund K-12 education in the ...

News

Choice for Ouray police chief narrows to pair

Bayfield police chief no longer in consideration, leaving Delta sergeant Furstenfeld, Montrose commander Valerio

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com

January 22, 2025

The search for Ouray’s new police chief has narrowed to two candidates whose careers have placed them in the closest proximity to the city. With input from incoming City Administrator Michelle Metteer...

News

Nearly $1M grant to assist with Ironton drought, mining impacts

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 22, 2025

Ironton Park’s fens, wetlands and stream channels will see nearly $1 million to rehabilitate drought and mining impacts at the headwaters of the Uncompahgre River. The $931,000 grant awarded by the U....

Letters, Opinion...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Despite headlines, my mother deserves love and support

January 22, 2025

Dear Editor: I write this letter not to you, but to my mother, Lynn Padgett. One of my earliest memories is holding her hand as we walked through Ouray, knocking on doors and meeting residents. I didn...

Feature

RIDGWAY SPLITS WITH TELLURIDE, DOVE CREEK

January 22, 2025

Feature

ICE FEST TURNS 30

Weekend event packs in film screening, conversation with founders, clinics, climbing competition

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 22, 2025

Ouray Ice Park’s 30th Ice Festival doubles as a four-day long birthday party that is equal parts celebration and reflection of three decades as a keystone of Ouray winter. “There's going to be an ener...

Looking Back

OURAY COUNTY

LOOKING BACK

40 YEARS AGO

January 22, 2025

January 24, 1975 – Most of the threehour meeting of the Ouray City Council Monday night was concerning garbage and the new two-hour parking restrictions on Main Street. About 20 citizens of this commu...

Obituaries

Rose Ellena Widegren

January 22, 2025

January 25, 1946-January 19, 2025 Rose Widegren was born in the doctor's office in Hotchkiss, Colorado, on Jan. 25, 1946. She was the third of five children born to her mother, Agnes Egger Welch, and ...

Calendar & Events

Jan. 23 - Feb. 6, 2025

CALENDAR & EVENTS

January 22, 2025

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23 SPECIAL EVENT: IGNITE Talks. 6:30 p.m. at The Sherbino, 604 Clinton St., Ridgway. Entry by donation. More info at sherbino.org. BOOK CLUB: "Good Material" discussion from 5-6 p.m....

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines