'Overwhelming demand' at Hurd town hall

News

June 25, 2025

‘Overwhelming demand’ at Hurd town hall

Callers to U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd's telephone town hall on Tuesday night encountered a message that they couldn't access the virtual meeting, due to "overwhelming demand." The Plaindealer and others attempted to call in several times and received the recorded message, unable to join the meeting.

Main, News...

Ridgway schools dial up phone ban

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 25, 2025

Ouray also aims to update tech policy for kids, staff Hallways and classrooms at Ridgway Secondary School will more closely resemble decades past this fall — without a cellphone in sight. During a Jun...

Main, News...

Town clamps down on water usage

As supplies dry up, Ridgway stops watering parks, urges residents to conserve

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

June 25, 2025

Ridgway town leaders are cracking down on water use, fearing limited supplies won't last the summer if they don't convince residents to curb their watering habits now. The town announced Wednesday mor...

News

Sheriff sees more calls, shorter responses in 2024

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 25, 2025

The Ouray County Sheriff’s Office reported a 25% boost in most calls for service and shorter response times in 2024 compared to 2023. During an annual report to county commissioners Tuesday, the depar...

News

Red Mountain Pass fire likely human-caused

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

June 25, 2025

A wildfire that burned five acres on Red Mountain Pass and closed U.S. Highway 550 for nearly 24 hours earlier this week is suspected to be human-caused. The fire burning above the highway near the av...

News

County eyes improved parking along pass

June 25, 2025

Ouray County commissioners signed an agreement with the Colorado Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration Tuesday to assess parking improvements near recreation areas along ...

News

Trail condemnation hearing continued

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 25, 2025

The town of Ridgway’s attempt to condemn part of a vacant lot to create a public walking trail will continue into July, after a district judge approved extending the hearing. Property owner David Snee...

News

Tariffs hit home for local businesses

Some forced to increase prices, while others monitor costs

By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com

June 25, 2025

Some local businesses are feeling the effects of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, while others are anticipating they will be hit eventually with the costs of importing goods. President Don...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Far from a ‘wart,’ new home will blend in

June 25, 2025

Dear Editor: I was disappointed to see a large inflammatory headline relating to my very carefully and thoughtfully designed home in your editorial opinions section. In response to the comments of Mr....

Letters, Opinion...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Cancel fireworks, city

June 25, 2025

Dear Editor: The city of Ouray should cancel the planned July 4 fireworks display. I believe it is time for the city of Ouray to put its money where its mouth is. The city espouses programs like “Leav...

Letters, Opinion...

Dead, dying trees a hazard on county roads

June 25, 2025

Dear Editor: We own a home in unincorporated Ouray County on County Road 17. I understand that this road is an alternate escape route for the city of Ouray. I recently addressed my concerns in an emai...

Please join us Saturday for film, journalism talk

Columns, Opinion...

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Please join us Saturday for film, journalism talk

By Erin McIntyre

June 25, 2025

When filmmaker Heather Courtney set out to make a film about rural America, she decided to do it through the lens of a local newspaper. She visited a small-town weekly in the Texas panhandle, the Cana...

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines