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By Erin McIntyre

March 26, 2020

The moment his coworker high-fived him, he felt a nagging suspicion he had it. It came in a moment when someone else at work was super pumped about still being able to earn money as restaurants and ot...

News

Tipi dweller weighs in on regulations

By Carolina Brown

March 26, 2020

A man who lives off-grid on an old mining claim in Ouray County has joined negotiations over the recently resurrected, much-debated long-term camping ordinance. An air of respect filled the room when ...

News

Commissioners to consider COVID-19 blood testing

By News Staff

March 25, 2020

Ouray County Commissioners will discuss possible blood testing for COVID-19 antibodies at a special meeting scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday. "We want to hold a meeting to see if that's something we c...

News

BREAKING: County issues orders closing down lodging to visitors, closing non-essential services and limiting gatherings

By News Staff

March 20, 2020

Short-term lodging in Ouray County is closed to everyone except those who are working within Ouray County or for an employer based here and primary residents, according to an order issued by the healt...

News

COVID-19 update: Testing to be offered in Montrose County on Monday; no word on Ouray County

By Erin McIntyre

March 19, 2020

Update as of 1:30 p.m. Friday: Montrose County has been selected as one of the surveillance sites where COVID-19 testing will be done, county officials announced this afternoon. Testing will be conduc...

News

Businesses close, reel in services

By Mike Wiggins, Erin Mcintyre And Carolina Brown

March 19, 2020

The man who came into the gift shop was coughing into his hands and touching the merchandise. And he wanted to chat about the new coronavirus. For Silver Lynx shop owners Scott and Mary Carkin, that m...

News

Nonprofit opposes water rights application

By Carolina Brown

March 19, 2020

Ouray County’s application to divert water from Cow Creek and store it in Ridgway Reservoir is being opposed by the Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership. The application for conditional water rights, fil...

News

County board to shift to virtual meetings

By Carolina Brown

March 19, 2020

Ouray County commissioners met Tuesday with their chairs spaced 6 feet apart, in what is likely to be their last in-person meeting for some time. Commissioners approved a resolution to hold virtual pu...

News

Schools close for weeks, pivot with ever-changing situation

By Carolina Brown

March 19, 2020

Citing concerns about preventing community spread of coronavirus, Ridgway and Ouray Schools initially closed until April 6, but then the closure was extended with the governor's order that all schools...

News

Swabs running out as virus testing gears up

By Lauren Weber And Christina Jewett

March 19, 2020

The two top makers of the highly specialized swabs used to test patients for the novel coronavirus are straining to keep up with the demand, even as both the Italian and U.S. governments are working w...

News

Ouray County in retreat

By Erin Mcintyre And Mike Wiggins

March 19, 2020

Ouray County, the city of Ouray and the town of Ridgway all declared states of emergency this week, giving themselves broader power to order closures and restrictions in the name of public safety and ...

News

Ex-Montrose manager picked for interim post, accepts and withdraws from position

By Mike Wiggins And Carolina Brown

March 19, 2020

The Ouray City Council on Monday unanimously picked former Montrose Assistant City Manager Robert Joseph to be the interim city administrator here, and after signing the contract Tuesday, Joseph with...

News

Changes in store for old clubhouse

By Erin McIntyre

March 19, 2020

The previously condemned Fairway Pines clubhouse on Log Hill is at the beginning stages of its new incarnation. The clubhouse was most recently owned by a former military chaplain named Ron “Chappy” R...

News

NEWS BRIEFS

By News Staff

March 19, 2020

Marshal warns mountain lions The Ridgway Marshal’s Office is issuing a warning about two recent mountain lion sightings in town, including one spotted in Solar Ranch subdivision. Residents are urged t...

News

CORONAVIRUS ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS

By News Staff

March 19, 2020

Editor’s note: This is the most accurate list of postponements, cancellations and notices we were able to assemble as of deadline this week. If you have items to add, please email them to plaindealer@...

News

City tables contracts with tourism office

By Mike Wiggins

March 19, 2020

The Ouray City Council‘s strained relationship with the Ouray Tourism Office frayed even further on Monday after councilors tabled contract negotiations for three weeks, putting in jeopardy at least t...

News

Ouray County declares state of emergency due to COVID-19

By News Staff

March 17, 2020

Ouray County commissioners unanimously declared a state of emergency due to the threat of COVID-19 coronavirus in an emergency meeting Monday. During a tense, 2 1/2 hour meeting with almost 40 attende...

News

Officials monitor as virus spreads

By Plaindealer Staff Report

March 15, 2020

Ouray County health officials continue to work with school districts, local governments and other leaders to monitor for COVID-19, a strain of coronavirus that 1.7 people had tested positive for in Co...

News

COVID-19 update: Ridgway Town Administrator declares disaster

By Mike Wiggins And Erin Mcintyre

March 14, 2020

Story updated 1:25 p.m. Tuesday Ridgway Town Manager Preston Neill has signed an order declaring a local disaster within the town, in response to concerns about community spread of coronavirus. State ...

News

Meet the Ridgway council, mayor candidates

By News Staff

March 11, 2020

Editor’s note: We invited the official candidates for mayor and the town council election to submit answers to standardized questions as a community service. There are three seats up for election on ...

Main, News...

Home for the holidays

Perennial renters. Globetrotters. Forced minimalists. For financial and other reasons, they've spent most of their lives moving from place to place. Now, for the first time, these new Waterview homeowners are putting down roots in Ouray.

By LIA SALVATIERRA

December 25, 2024

When Diane Todd pulled her white Chevy pickup into the driveway of her new home in Ouray, she jumped out of the car and gave her next-door neighbor a hug. It was the first time they had met, and both ...

Feature

SEASON OF SHARING

Season of Sharing 2024: Minerva West Theater Co.

December 25, 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 ...

Feature

Season of Sharing 2024: The Sherbino Theater/Ridgway Chautauqua

December 25, 2024

Feature

SEASON OF SHARING

Season of Sharing 2024: Ouray Teacher Fund

December 25, 2024

Feature

Season of Sharing 2024: Threshold Singers of the Shining Mountains

December 25, 2024

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines