Ouray County Plaindealer
@ouraynews.bsky.social
Weekly newspaper serving majestic Ouray County, Colorado since 1877. Independently owned, dedicated to reporting important stories and keeping the community informed. Proud to be a Report for America host newsroom.
Congressman Jeff Hurd has joined Sens. Bennet and Hickenlooper, sponsoring legislation to transfer Crystal Reservoir from the Forest Service to the city of Ouray. ✍️by Lia Salvatierra w/ Report for America:
Hurd introduces House bill to transfer Crystal Reservoir to Ouray - Ouray County Plaindealer
U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd has introduced legislation to transfer ownership of Crystal Reservoir from the U.S. Forest Service to the city of Ouray, identical to a Senate bill introduced in September, after w...
www.ouraynews.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Congressman Jeff Hurd has joined Sens. Bennet and Hickenlooper, sponsoring legislation to transfer Crystal Reservoir from the Forest Service to the city of Ouray. ✍️by Lia Salvatierra w/ Report for America:
Ouray County’s new county manager will travel from Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico, for the job, if he accepts the position.
Commissioners selected Antonio Mendez over local Patrick Rondinelli to helm the county on Tuesday.
From @wordsbylia.bluesky.social.
www.ouraynews.com/2025/10/22/b....
Commissioners selected Antonio Mendez over local Patrick Rondinelli to helm the county on Tuesday.
From @wordsbylia.bluesky.social.
www.ouraynews.com/2025/10/22/b....
Board makes offer on top job - News
Ouray County’s new county manager will travel from Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico, for the job, if he accepts the position.
www.ouraynews.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Ouray County’s new county manager will travel from Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico, for the job, if he accepts the position.
Commissioners selected Antonio Mendez over local Patrick Rondinelli to helm the county on Tuesday.
From @wordsbylia.bluesky.social.
www.ouraynews.com/2025/10/22/b....
Commissioners selected Antonio Mendez over local Patrick Rondinelli to helm the county on Tuesday.
From @wordsbylia.bluesky.social.
www.ouraynews.com/2025/10/22/b....
Wildfire science is an entirely new animal for Tim Pinnow, who is applying his decades of experience in strategic planning and leadership as West Region Wildfire Council's new executive director.
New to wildfire science, nonprofit director boasts experience in leadership, planning - News
Tim Pinnow's resume might not immediately lead someone to think about forestry or fire mitigation.
www.ouraynews.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Wildfire science is an entirely new animal for Tim Pinnow, who is applying his decades of experience in strategic planning and leadership as West Region Wildfire Council's new executive director.
The Colorado Department of Transportation will expedite a shoulder-widening project on U.S. Highway 550 and potential interim safety measures along the corridor in response to public concern about danger and accidents.
ouraynews.com/2025/10/01/s...
ouraynews.com/2025/10/01/s...
State to speed up some safety upgrades on Highway 550 - News
The Colorado Department of Transportation will expedite a shoulder-widening project on U.S. Highway 550 and potential interim safety measures along the corridor in response to public concern about…
ouraynews.com
October 7, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The Colorado Department of Transportation will expedite a shoulder-widening project on U.S. Highway 550 and potential interim safety measures along the corridor in response to public concern about danger and accidents.
ouraynews.com/2025/10/01/s...
ouraynews.com/2025/10/01/s...
More than a year after catastrophic flooding destroyed Ridgway's main water source, the town is pushing to finish a project to rebuild the diversion structure and pipe the ditch, hoping to avoid expensive repairs in the future due to flood events.
A race against time, Mother Nature - News
Randy Barnes knew that morning he needed to check on Beaver Creek and the ditch bringing water down from the mountains above Elk Meadows to supply the town of Ridgway.
www.ouraynews.com
October 6, 2025 at 11:38 PM
More than a year after catastrophic flooding destroyed Ridgway's main water source, the town is pushing to finish a project to rebuild the diversion structure and pipe the ditch, hoping to avoid expensive repairs in the future due to flood events.
ICYMI: The Ouray Police Department is nearly fully staffed, overhauling policies and regaining trust a year after an audit deemed the department in 'crisis.'
Once in ‘crisis,’ Ouray police rebuilding - News
Daric Harvey needs another dry erase board.
www.ouraynews.com
September 29, 2025 at 11:38 PM
ICYMI: The Ouray Police Department is nearly fully staffed, overhauling policies and regaining trust a year after an audit deemed the department in 'crisis.'
It's 2026 budget season and we've got you covered.
For Ouray, public works, public safety and the Ouray Hot Springs Pool are taking the front seat.
www.ouraynews.com/2025/09/17/o...
And after years of growth, Ouray County leaders are trying to to rein in or hold costs steady in 2026.
For Ouray, public works, public safety and the Ouray Hot Springs Pool are taking the front seat.
www.ouraynews.com/2025/09/17/o...
And after years of growth, Ouray County leaders are trying to to rein in or hold costs steady in 2026.
County looks to curb 2026 budget - News
After years of growth, Ouray County leaders are working together to find ways to rein in or hold costs steady in 2026.
www.ouraynews.com
September 23, 2025 at 3:27 PM
It's 2026 budget season and we've got you covered.
For Ouray, public works, public safety and the Ouray Hot Springs Pool are taking the front seat.
www.ouraynews.com/2025/09/17/o...
And after years of growth, Ouray County leaders are trying to to rein in or hold costs steady in 2026.
For Ouray, public works, public safety and the Ouray Hot Springs Pool are taking the front seat.
www.ouraynews.com/2025/09/17/o...
And after years of growth, Ouray County leaders are trying to to rein in or hold costs steady in 2026.
The city of Ouray is planning to scrap a series of new large signs installed this summer in the downtown core in favor of smaller signs, acceding to residents, business owners and even some city councilors who objected to their size and appearance.
www.ouraynews.com/2025/09/17/o...
www.ouraynews.com/2025/09/17/o...
Ouray to ditch large downtown signs - News
The city of Ouray is prepared to scrap a series of new large signs installed this summer in the downtown core meant to direct drivers to various locations in favor of smaller signs, acceding to…
www.ouraynews.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:38 PM
The city of Ouray is planning to scrap a series of new large signs installed this summer in the downtown core in favor of smaller signs, acceding to residents, business owners and even some city councilors who objected to their size and appearance.
www.ouraynews.com/2025/09/17/o...
www.ouraynews.com/2025/09/17/o...
Ouray city leaders are exploring other ways to address dead, fallen trees littering neighborhoods and hillsides now that it’s unclear when a large-scale, federally funded wildfire mitigation project will come to fruition.
City seeks options to reduce wildfire danger, without federal funds - News
Ouray city leaders are exploring other ways to address dead, fallen trees littering neighborhoods and hillsides now that it's unclear when a large-scale, federally funded wildfire mitigation…
www.ouraynews.com
September 9, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Ouray city leaders are exploring other ways to address dead, fallen trees littering neighborhoods and hillsides now that it’s unclear when a large-scale, federally funded wildfire mitigation project will come to fruition.
City councilors Tamara Gulde and Michael Underwood will square off to replace two-term Mayor Ethan Funk during the Nov. 4 election.
Two vying for Ouray mayor; one seeking council - News
There will be some new faces in new places on the Ouray City Council by the end of this year.
www.ouraynews.com
September 8, 2025 at 11:38 PM
City councilors Tamara Gulde and Michael Underwood will square off to replace two-term Mayor Ethan Funk during the Nov. 4 election.
ICYMI: The city of Ouray is moving ahead with plans to remodel a portion of the Ouray Community Center and a building across the street that will house the police department.
City proceeds with plans to remodel city hall, police station - News
The city of Ouray is moving ahead with plans to remodel a portion of the Ouray Community Center and a building across the street that will house the police department.
www.ouraynews.com
August 31, 2025 at 11:38 PM
ICYMI: The city of Ouray is moving ahead with plans to remodel a portion of the Ouray Community Center and a building across the street that will house the police department.
A cluster of mining claims on Red Mountain Pass will be preserved for the public and protected from further development.
Read more about the acquisition of Silver Mountain Mine — a long awaited piece of the Red Mountain Project puzzle.
Read more about the acquisition of Silver Mountain Mine — a long awaited piece of the Red Mountain Project puzzle.
Trust to preserve, donate more Red Mountain mining claims - News
Another cluster of mining claims on Red Mountain Pass will be preserved for the public and protected from further development.
www.ouraynews.com
August 31, 2025 at 3:27 PM
A cluster of mining claims on Red Mountain Pass will be preserved for the public and protected from further development.
Read more about the acquisition of Silver Mountain Mine — a long awaited piece of the Red Mountain Project puzzle.
Read more about the acquisition of Silver Mountain Mine — a long awaited piece of the Red Mountain Project puzzle.
Ouray County Public Health is asking local governments to more strictly regulate nicotine and tobacco retailers to help prevent underage use, by requiring local retail licenses on top of state-required licenses.
Public Health urges stricter tobacco regs - News
Ouray County Public Health is asking local governments to more strictly regulate nicotine and tobacco retailers to help prevent underage use, by requiring local retail licenses on top of…
www.ouraynews.com
August 30, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Ouray County Public Health is asking local governments to more strictly regulate nicotine and tobacco retailers to help prevent underage use, by requiring local retail licenses on top of state-required licenses.
The driver of the car that went off Red Mountain Pass on Aug. 5 had a significant amount of marijuana in his system, according to toxicology results from his autopsy.
The accident is one of two fatal crashes on the pass this month.
The accident is one of two fatal crashes on the pass this month.
Fatal crash on pass involved marijuana - News
The driver of the vehicle that went off Red Mountain Pass on Aug. 5 had a significant amount of marijuana in his system, according to toxicology results from his autopsy.
www.ouraynews.com
August 30, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The driver of the car that went off Red Mountain Pass on Aug. 5 had a significant amount of marijuana in his system, according to toxicology results from his autopsy.
The accident is one of two fatal crashes on the pass this month.
The accident is one of two fatal crashes on the pass this month.
There will be a new lodging tax question on the ballot this November.
Unincorporated Ouray County voters will be asked to approve a new 6% county lodging tax to fund local law enforcement, fire protection services, affordable housing and child care facilities.
Unincorporated Ouray County voters will be asked to approve a new 6% county lodging tax to fund local law enforcement, fire protection services, affordable housing and child care facilities.
County lodging tax question will be on November ballot - News
Ouray County voters living in the unincorporated part of the county – outside Ridgway and Ouray – will be asked to approve a new 6% county lodging tax to fund local law enforcement, fire protection…
www.ouraynews.com
August 29, 2025 at 11:38 PM
There will be a new lodging tax question on the ballot this November.
Unincorporated Ouray County voters will be asked to approve a new 6% county lodging tax to fund local law enforcement, fire protection services, affordable housing and child care facilities.
Unincorporated Ouray County voters will be asked to approve a new 6% county lodging tax to fund local law enforcement, fire protection services, affordable housing and child care facilities.
The Board of County Commissioners will decide whether to place a lodging tax question on the ballot this fall during a regular meeting tomorrow morning.
Read about the proposed ballot measure here: www.ouraynews.com/2025/08/20/c...
@wordsbylia.bsky.social
Read about the proposed ballot measure here: www.ouraynews.com/2025/08/20/c...
@wordsbylia.bsky.social
County drafts language for lodging tax ballot question - News
Ouray County commissioners finished drafting a buzzer beater ballot measure to ask voters to approve a new county lodging tax on Tuesday.
www.ouraynews.com
August 25, 2025 at 11:38 PM
The Board of County Commissioners will decide whether to place a lodging tax question on the ballot this fall during a regular meeting tomorrow morning.
Read about the proposed ballot measure here: www.ouraynews.com/2025/08/20/c...
@wordsbylia.bsky.social
Read about the proposed ballot measure here: www.ouraynews.com/2025/08/20/c...
@wordsbylia.bsky.social
Ouray is hiring an attorney to pursue potential legal claims against the contractors who built the city’s new $17 million wastewater treatment plant.
The plant has been afflicted by a host of operational problems less than a year after coming online.
The plant has been afflicted by a host of operational problems less than a year after coming online.
City retains lawyer in light of sewer problems - News
The city of Ouray will hire an attorney who could help potentially pursue legal claims against the contractors who built and equipped the city’s new $17 million wastewater treatment plant, which has…
www.ouraynews.com
August 23, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Ouray is hiring an attorney to pursue potential legal claims against the contractors who built the city’s new $17 million wastewater treatment plant.
The plant has been afflicted by a host of operational problems less than a year after coming online.
The plant has been afflicted by a host of operational problems less than a year after coming online.
Ridgway is opening up a competitive process for its tourism and marketing services instead of handing the job to the the Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber's new executive director is determined to apply for the role anyway.
@wordsbylia.bskk.social
The chamber's new executive director is determined to apply for the role anyway.
@wordsbylia.bskk.social
Ridgway opens door for tourism marketing - News
The town of Ridgway is opening up a competitive process for its tourism and marketing services after years of handing the task to the Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce.
www.ouraynews.com
August 22, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Ridgway is opening up a competitive process for its tourism and marketing services instead of handing the job to the the Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber's new executive director is determined to apply for the role anyway.
@wordsbylia.bskk.social
The chamber's new executive director is determined to apply for the role anyway.
@wordsbylia.bskk.social
Six months into the job, Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer received high marks on her first job performance review and will secure a 6% pay raise early next year.
Administrator secures positive review, raise - News
Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer received high marks on her first job performance review and will secure a 6% pay raise early next year.
www.ouraynews.com
August 22, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Six months into the job, Ouray City Administrator Michelle Metteer received high marks on her first job performance review and will secure a 6% pay raise early next year.
Ouray County residents are calling on the Colorado Department of Transportation to tighten safety measures on U.S. Highway 550 after consecutive head-on crashes this month.
Read more about crash data and potential solutions from @wordsbylia.bsky.social.
www.ouraynews.com/2025/08/20/c...
Read more about crash data and potential solutions from @wordsbylia.bsky.social.
www.ouraynews.com/2025/08/20/c...
August 22, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Ouray County residents are calling on the Colorado Department of Transportation to tighten safety measures on U.S. Highway 550 after consecutive head-on crashes this month.
Read more about crash data and potential solutions from @wordsbylia.bsky.social.
www.ouraynews.com/2025/08/20/c...
Read more about crash data and potential solutions from @wordsbylia.bsky.social.
www.ouraynews.com/2025/08/20/c...
Ridgway won its case for condemning private property to build a trail from the River Park subdivision to Ridgway Secondary School.
Read the new story from @erinmcwriter.bsky.social.
Read the new story from @erinmcwriter.bsky.social.
Ridgway wins condemnation case - News
The town of Ridgway will be allowed to condemn private property to build a trail from the River Park subdivision to Ridgway Secondary School. According to an order dated on Sunday and filed this…
www.ouraynews.com
July 29, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Ridgway won its case for condemning private property to build a trail from the River Park subdivision to Ridgway Secondary School.
Read the new story from @erinmcwriter.bsky.social.
Read the new story from @erinmcwriter.bsky.social.
MONTHLY BUSINESS AND REAL ESTATE ROUNDUP 🛍️
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.
From @wordsbylia.bsky.social
www.ouraynews.com/2025/06/25/t...
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.
From @wordsbylia.bsky.social
www.ouraynews.com/2025/06/25/t...
Tariffs hit home for local businesses - News
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.
www.ouraynews.com
July 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
MONTHLY BUSINESS AND REAL ESTATE ROUNDUP 🛍️
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.
From @wordsbylia.bsky.social
www.ouraynews.com/2025/06/25/t...
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.
From @wordsbylia.bsky.social
www.ouraynews.com/2025/06/25/t...
A wildfire that burned five acres on Red Mountain Pass and closed U.S. Highway 550 for nearly 24 hours last week is suspected to be human-caused.
Red Mountain Pass fire likely human-caused - News
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.
www.ouraynews.com
July 1, 2025 at 11:38 PM
A wildfire that burned five acres on Red Mountain Pass and closed U.S. Highway 550 for nearly 24 hours last week is suspected to be human-caused.
The town of Ridgway’s attempt to condemn part of a private owner's vacant lot to create a public walking trail will continue into July, after a district judge approved extending the hearing.
Trail condemnation hearing continued - News
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.
www.ouraynews.com
July 1, 2025 at 9:12 PM
The town of Ridgway’s attempt to condemn part of a private owner's vacant lot to create a public walking trail will continue into July, after a district judge approved extending the hearing.
Ridgway Secondary School is banning cellphones this fall.
Ouray High School is still sorting out where to draw the line.
Read more from @wordsbylia.bsky.social
Ouray High School is still sorting out where to draw the line.
Read more from @wordsbylia.bsky.social
Ridgway schools dial up phone ban - News
Ouray also aims to update tech policy for kids, staff
www.ouraynews.com
July 1, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Ridgway Secondary School is banning cellphones this fall.
Ouray High School is still sorting out where to draw the line.
Read more from @wordsbylia.bsky.social
Ouray High School is still sorting out where to draw the line.
Read more from @wordsbylia.bsky.social