An adventurer of 'considerable abilities'

Don and Brenda Moden and their chocolate Labrador, Disa, are pictured here during a hike in the San Juan Mountains in 2017. Don, an accomplished athlete and former member of the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team, died in an avalanche on Red Mountain No. 3 on Jan. 7. Photo courtesy Brenda Moden

Main, News

By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com on January 15, 2025

An adventurer of ‘considerable abilities’

Whether he was testing his own athletic limits or mentoring others, avalanche victim Don Moden Jr. was passionate about the outdoors

It was a workout day for Don Moden Jr.

Main, News...

SADDLE UP AND RIDE

January 15, 2025

Main, News...

Report: Padgett likely treated workers poorly

Commissioner apologizes; county plans to adopt code of conduct

By By Deb Hurley Brobst and Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 15, 2025

Ouray County commissioners will develop a conduct policy for both elected county leaders and staff in the wake of a final report on an investigation of Road and Bridge Superintendent Ty Barger’s compl...

News

Niece handed board leadership over Padgett

Commissioners break tradition of taking turns, drawing objections from public

By By Lia Salvatierra and Erin McIntyre lia@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

January 15, 2025

A routine change in leadership roles on the Board of County Commissioners attracted attention this week when Commissioner Lynn Padgett was not chosen as chairperson, a position that instead went to Co...

News

Ridgway deputy receives lifesaving award

Brannon Hasler pulled Ridgway resident from burning car after wreck

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

January 15, 2025

Sue Stern doesn't remember much about the day her life was saved. She and her husband, Burt, were on their way back home after a trip to Montrose. They had taken their dog, Spencer, to a grooming appo...

News

Avalanche training grounds open to public

Beacon park aimed at helping people hone rescue skills

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

January 15, 2025

Backcountry skiers, snowboarders and snowshoers can practice the safety skill of locating beacons buried beneath snowpack at Ouray Mountain Rescue Team’s Avalanche Beacon Training Park. The park opene...

News

NEWS BRIEFS

Mountain cabin to be removed

January 15, 2025

Cabin will be removed, timeline unclear Ouray County leaders affirmed they will require a cabin to be removed on Red Mountain Pass after determining that its owner misled the county when he obtained a...

Letters, Opinion...

Gratitude for mobile home park donors’ generosity

January 15, 2025

Dear Editor: I would like to express my gratitude for the remarkable act of kindness demonstrated by Jay and Jackie Lauderdale, and Cat and Barthold Lichtenbelt in making a nearly one-million-dollar d...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Chief candidates deserve questions

January 15, 2025

Dear Editor: I am writing to thank the Plaindealer for their article last week, "Police chief finalists to visit Ouray." The general public, although we have a tremendous stake in who leads our Police...

Looking Back

OURAY COUNTY

LOOKING BACK

40 YEARS AGO

January 15, 2025

January 17, 1975 – While it was a scramble earlier last week to clear slides from the Camp Bird Mine road, the State Highway Department saw little action on U.S. 550 (the Million Dollar Highway) until...

Obituaries

Donald L. Moden Jr.

January 15, 2025

April 15, 1967-January 7, 2025 On January 7, 2025, Don’s intrepid spirit forever joined the San Juan Mountains he cherished. Don was born in Salina, Kansas, and began his sports endeavors at an early ...

Obituaries

Robert Aubrey Conder

January 15, 2025

October 21, 1942-December 6, 2024 Robert Aubrey Conder, known to friends and family as “Bob,” passed away peacefully on December 6, 2024, in Montrose. Colorado. He was 82 years old and resided in Olat...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines