The ''Ridgway Sun'' was a weekly

newspaper A newspaper is a periodical publication containing written information about current events and is often typed in black ink with a white or gray background. Newspapers can cover a wide variety of fields such as politics, business, sports a ...

based in Ridgway,

Colorado Colorado (, other variants) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of t ...

and owned by

Ouray County Ouray County is a county located in the U.S. state of Colorado. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,874. The county seat is Ouray. Because of its rugged mountain topography, Ouray County is also known as the Switzerland of America. H ...

Newspapers. Known as the "Newspaper that refused to die" it was the

newspaper of record A newspaper of record is a major national newspaper with large circulation whose editorial and news-gathering functions are considered authoritative and independent; they are thus "newspapers of record by reputation" and include some of the o ...

for Ridgway.

History

The ''Ridgway Sun'' was founded by Grant Turner, publishing its first edition in 1909. In a time when newspapers espoused political affiliations, the publication was officially Republican. However it was Turner's policy not to denounce the Democrats, and proclaimed a sincere respect for both parties. Turner published for nine years before selling to John J. McCarthy and E.W. Roscoe, who published for another eight years. Grover C. Huffnagle, editor under McCarthy and Roscoe, then took over and published until 1928. The ''Sun'' then languished until its rebirth April 3, 1980, under the leadership of Joyce Jorgensen, publisher and editor of the Ouray County Plaindealer and the Ouray Herald. In 1990, both the Ridgway Sun and

Ouray County Plaindealer The ''Ouray County Plaindealer'' is a weekly newspaper based in Ouray, Colorado and owned by 550 Publishing, Inc. It is the newspaper of record for the City of Ouray, Town of Ridgway and Ouray County. History The ''Plaindealer'' was founded as t ...

were purchased by Guy and Marcia Wood. In 1995 both newspapers were purchased by current publisher David Mullings and Ouray County Newspapers. In Oct. 2010, Ouray County Newspapers sold the Sun and the Plaindealer to Alan Todd and Beecher Threatt, publishing as 550 Publishing. In 2011, the Sun was merged into the Plaindealer

Editorial policy

In a statement published in the ''Ridgway Suns print editions, the paper's goals were described: :...To accurately and comprehensively report news of importance to the people of Ridgway and the area. :...To be a strong, independent voice on local public issues, and to provide a forum for open discussion of those issues. :...To provide a marketplace for local businesses and individuals, so as to encourage a healthy local economy. :...To be a responsible and profitable business.

Awards

The ''Ridgway Sun'' is a frequent winner of

Colorado Press Association The Colorado Press Association is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting the newspaper industry in Colorado. __TOC__ History The Colorado State Press Association was formed in Denver, Colorado on August 8, 1878. In 1889, J.D. Dillenback ...

awards in its class, and in 2007 Publisher David Mullings received the state’s "Service to the First" (Amendment) award. He was recognized for initiating action against the

Board of County Commissioners that resulted in an open process of selecting planning commissioners, and for enduring sharp and anonymous attacks on the newspaper and his credibility for the challenge.

References

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External links

''Ridgway Sun'' website
Newspapers published in Colorado Newspapers established in 1909