Home - News

Main, News...

Reported bear attack sparks warnings

Wildlife officers, police urge residents, businesses to take precautions in light of early bear activity

By Mike Wiggins [email protected]

May 21, 2025

A Ouray woman’s claim that she was attacked by a bear last weekend is ...

Main, News...

Pool prices expected to climb

Third increase since 2022 intended to help fund capital needs

By Mike Wiggins [email protected]

May 21, 2025

The city of Ouray is prepared to raise rates again at the Ouray Hot Sp...

News

Commissioners appoint one to planning board, reject another

Three vacancies still to fill after Ridgway resident selected

By Lia Salvatierra [email protected]

May 21, 2025

Ouray County commissioners appointed Ridgway resident Valentine Szwarc...

Main, News...

RUNNING DOWN A DREAM

Freshmen-laden Ridgway relay team captures state title

By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer

May 21, 2025

LAKEWOOD — Ariel and Natasha Hessler didn’t have the same level of confidence during the final baton for the Ridgway High School’s 4x800-meter relay team last week. Ariel expected to see Heritage Christian in the lead after she, Emery Cornell and Sophia Scranton completed the first three legs of the May 15 race at Jefferson County Stadium. Instead, Ariel was running side by side with Caprock ...

News

NEWS BRIEFS

Federal funding changes could hit Emergency Management budget

May 21, 2025

Ouray County Emergency Management could lose onethird of its budget now that federal money ing a state grant program may not be renewed. Emergency Manager Glenn Boyd told commissioners Tuesday ...

News

County to consultant: Revise facility needs plan

By Lia Salvatierra [email protected]

May 21, 2025

Ouray County commissioners asked a consultant to revise its assessment of the county’s long-term facility needs to include more context and information on how to move forward. The 52-page feasibility ...

News

Young Ridgway team shows strong at state track

By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer

May 21, 2025

LAKEWOOD — Ridgway High School’s Sophia Forrest went from stressed to sick to one of the fastest Class 2A girls at the three-day Colorado State Track and Field Championships at Jefferson County Stadiu...

News

Ridgway: First in world to fly Earth flag

Councilors set aside concerns about precedent, say message aligns with town values

By Lia Salvatierra [email protected]

May 21, 2025

News

CORRECTION

May 21, 2025

A story in the May 8-14 edition of the Plaindealer about the Fairway Pines Sanitation District's effort to convert to a metropolitan district incorrectly indicated sanitation district board Chairman P...

Main, News...

Sex assault trial may be moved, delayed

By Mike Wiggins [email protected]

May 14, 2025

The trial of one of three men accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in the former police chief's home could be postponed and moved out of Ouray County. Cindy Hyatt, one of the attorneys fo...

Main, News...

Skimpy snowpack slipping away

Liquid content of snow in Gunnison River Basin among lowest since 1981

By Mike Wiggins [email protected]

May 14, 2025

The warning lights have been blinking for months. The city of Ouray postponed its annual Cabin Fever Day in mid-February for lack of snow on Lee’s Ski Hill, then moved the event to Fellin Park on Marc...

News

County launches search for new manager

Commissioners to pay consultant more than $30K, aim for finalist interviews in September

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

May 14, 2025

The search has begun to find a new manager after the Ouray County commissioners hired Peckham & McKenney to consult on the hiring process. The county will pay the company $30,500 plus about $2,500 for...

Feature

Meet your neighbor: Norm Fedel

By Chloe Kiparsky

May 21, 2025

Name: Norm Fedel Age: 93 Lives in: Ouray So, I hear you've lived here your whole life. Yeah, the only time I was away was four years in the service during the Korean War. That was in ‘51, way back. I ...

Feature

Meet your neighbor: Rob Rose

By By Chloe Kiparsky Plaindealer intern

May 14, 2025

Editor's note: During focus group discussions we held earlier this year, to gather for our redesign of the newspaper, we heard from some Plaindealer readers that they wanted to see m...

Calendar & Events, Feature...

Calendar & Events

May 15-29, 2025

By Erin

May 14, 2025

THURSDAY MAY 15 LIVE MUSIC: Stillhouse Junkies, doors at 7 p.m. music at 7:30 p.m. at the Sherbino Theater, 604 Clinton St. in Ridgway. Tickets $15 at sherbino.org, $20 at door. FRIDAY MAY 16 THEATER:...

Small but mighty: Ridgway girls’ track and field secures first league title as independent program

Columns, Feature...

PREP ROUNDUP

Small but mighty: Ridgway girls’ track and field secures first league title as independent program

By By Matt Meyer Special to the Plaindealer

May 7, 2025

In high school track and field, athletes are limited to competing in four events. It’s a way to ensure competitive balance, limit wear and tear on athletes and — in the case of the Ridgway girls' team...

Columns, Feature...

Scenic Last Dollar Road connects to rugged past

By Carolyn Snowbarger

May 7, 2025

It is time to begin planning our explorations into the San Juan Mountains again. Be certain to include another trek on Last Dollar Road, connecting Ridgway and Telluride over a 21-mile, unpaved, breat...

Calendar & Events, Feature...

May 8-21, 2025

CALENDAR & EVENTS

May 7, 2025

THURSDAY MAY 8 IGNITE TALKS: Doors at 6:30 p.m., event starts at 7 p.m. at the Sherbino Theater, 604 Clinton St. in Ridgway. Entry by donation. PUBLIC LANDS TALK: 5 p.m. at the Ridgway Public Library,...

Letters, Opinion...

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

A brief appreciation

May 21, 2025

Dear Editor: It was so nice to read the News Briefs in the Plaindealer. I, personally, prefer it when you have shorter, more concise, informative articles that don't contain confrontational subject ma...

Calendar & Events

CALENDAR & EVENTS

May 22–June 5, 2025

May 21, 2025

THURSDAY MAY 22 WORKSHOP: "Overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities," in economic resilience. 11 a.m. at the Decker Community Room, 675 Clinton St. in Ridgway. Community , business owner...

Ouray police, wildlife officers investigating reported bear attack

Woman, 49, reports minor injuries, taken to hospital

By Mike

May 18, 2025

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Ouray Police Department are investigating a Ouray woman’s report that she was attacked by a bear behind the Beaumont Hotel in Ouray early Saturday morning. Authorit...

Ouray police, wildlife officers investigating reported bear attack

Woman, 49, reports minor injuries, taken to hospital

By Mike

May 18, 2025

Ridgway adopts planet Earth flag

Town council approves request 4-1

By By Lia Salvatierra lia @ouraynews. com

May 16, 2025

Welcome to Ridgway, Colorado, U.S.A., Earth — the first place in the world to formally adopt and fly the International Flag of Planet Earth. The Ridgway Town Council voted Wednesday night to raise the...

Best of

Business and Real Estate

Summer Guide

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines