Opinion https://tj.durangoherald.com/section/opinion/feed/ Latest local news from The Durango Herald. Fri, 14 Aug 2026 18:22:58 -0600 en-us 30 https://tj.durangoherald.com/when-the-smoke-clears-southwest-colorados-wildfire-work-is-just-beginning/ When a wildfire is finally declared contained, most people breathe a sigh of relief. Families return home. Businesses reopen. The smoke begins to lift from our mountains. But in Southwest Colorado, we know containment is not the finish line. It’s... Fri, 14 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0600 46E293DB-21B1-43F1-89C5-990C4B53AFED https://tj.durangoherald.com/why-stop-at-a-constitutional-right-to-hunt/ If Colorado voters are being asked to put a constitutional right to hunt and fish into our state Constitution, why not a constitutional right to birdwatch? It is, after all, a traditional Colorado activity. The amendment should guarantee every citizen... Fri, 14 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0600 726E8A41-C0EC-406C-80AC-A5E5314D254C https://tj.durangoherald.com/guest-commentary-not-even-trying/ Victor Marx: No to Club 20 participation Wed, 12 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0600 443734E5-3445-4E2C-8048-F9D986EC8F2F https://tj.durangoherald.com/editorial-cartoon-101/ Wed, 12 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0600 0C4F31B6-9CF1-4CD9-AFA5-C0800623CB79 https://tj.durangoherald.com/trump-loves-inflation-we-pay-the-price/ “I love the inflation.” – Donald Trump I used to buy a convenient six-pack of canned tomato sauce. Now it’s a space-saving four-pack at over the six-pack price. I drink a brand of coffee my relatives in Seattle like –... Wed, 12 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0600 BB2B937A-E4DB-427E-95B4-D586DC0E142C https://tj.durangoherald.com/leave-county-private-property-rights-alone/ Where do we draw the line? Cars, dogs, guns, horses, pigs, kids – for the love of freedom, why should we worry about stuff on our neighbors’ property like old classic cars and other collectibles? This issue came up years... Sun, 09 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0600 CCC04601-3BE7-42B4-8AA6-3FB9FED08135 https://tj.durangoherald.com/cortez-community-shines-in-storms-aftermath/ Our home and neighborhood were hit hard during the storm on July 21. We were fortunate to have no home damage or uprooted trees, yet so many others did. We did lose a lot of tree branches and limbs. Empire... Fri, 07 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0600 489940A6-3DEB-453D-9401-01A1BA97574C https://tj.durangoherald.com/our-view-colorado-turns-150/ A statewide milestone, celebrated close to home Wed, 05 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0600 5080137A-2044-461C-8C6E-C8C605D25076 https://tj.durangoherald.com/southwest-colorado-needs-affordability-accountability-and-balance/ For more than three decades, I have worked with families, farmers, ranchers, property owners, small businesses and local governments across Southwest Colorado. I have helped people navigate land-use rules, permitting requirements, water issues and development approvals. Through that work, I... Sun, 02 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0600 B8580DF0-60D3-4914-A1C8-76BC93B032BF https://tj.durangoherald.com/beware-the-dangers-of-gambling/ Gambling in the U.S. has become a real epidemic. It’s not enough to buy a lottery ticket or play roulette at a local casino; gambling has spread like wildfire through online betting. You can bet on almost anything: who will... Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 B78D66A3-176E-41DB-AA46-739A20F98832 https://tj.durangoherald.com/biochar-demonstration-seeks-local-farmers/ Southwest Colorado farmers who wish to participate in a biochar demonstration at no cost should email NPI at npiinc2000@aol.com with their contact information, an indication of their willingness to participate and how many acres of their farmland are available. Biochar,... Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 C5D3B3A6-F8F3-43B3-8434-01408551DA12 https://tj.durangoherald.com/editorial-cartoon-100/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 8FBCCD78-3F0D-46CE-8F30-D2EBA38E6712 https://tj.durangoherald.com/rep-hurd-answer-bears-ears-questions/ Congressman Hurd: Thank you for responding to my concerns about President Trump’s proclamations reducing Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments. I understand that these were presidential actions and did not receive a congressional vote. However, your response did not... Wed, 29 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 F0C7993A-97A4-446A-8F91-E18AC17455C6 https://tj.durangoherald.com/our-view-come-to-the-fair/ Built by hand, generation after generation, showcasing the value of agriculture Wed, 29 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 B6C04287-AC79-4EEB-8AB9-1FF3A724F76A https://tj.durangoherald.com/its-time-to-create-new-water/ For decades, the West has debated how to divide the shrinking waters of the Colorado River. Every proposal asks who should receive less. We should be asking a different question: How can we create more? A Colorado River Renewal Project... Sun, 26 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 A7EEF6C0-64E6-4B29-9831-B52B5A77E226 https://tj.durangoherald.com/big-ag-wants-to-overrule-your-vote-on-animal-welfare/ At Podunk’s Ranch, in Southwest Colorado, family tradition and a sincere commitment to sustainability stand at the heart of everything we do. A woman-owned farm, we are dedicated and responsible stewards of the land, following sound grazing principles, ensuring high... Sun, 26 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 73933548-CEB8-4A96-8221-61364208F4C0 https://tj.durangoherald.com/candelaria-owes-sheriff-nowlin-an-apology/ Sheriff Nowlin is and has been a sheriff for the people. As a minority, I can say that the sheriff has won my respect and has always treated me with the same respect he gives everyone else. Sheriff Nowlin is... Sun, 26 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 E227ACC1-C1F0-445A-9B70-E3CBEA3D2410 https://tj.durangoherald.com/speed-bias-and-human-judgment-inside-the-leagues-ai-presentation/ Recently the Montezuma County League of Women Voters hosted a presentation on Artificial Intelligence by Ben Burkett. Ben audits large corporate accounts and uses AI daily, both at work and at home, to save time and boost efficiency. His talk... Fri, 24 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 BF6D408C-55FE-4479-B2A1-23ACF7459611 https://tj.durangoherald.com/our-view-kicking-down-the-barn/ Monument cuts undo in an afternoon what neighbors spent decades building Wed, 22 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 F1CC24BB-2AC9-4432-A487-FCE4F511CBFA https://tj.durangoherald.com/protect-chaco-canyon-from-the-drilling-threat/ Chaco Canyon is under threat of drilling rigs in the very near future. For those who have visited – and those who haven’t – once Chaco is invaded by drilling rigs, everything ancient, peaceful and beautiful will be a thing... Wed, 22 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 B9670576-9AB0-4530-9543-A7AE4B64A1EB https://tj.durangoherald.com/editorial-cartoon-99/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 20199A42-94E8-4D70-96A5-E558E68302CE https://tj.durangoherald.com/naomi-riess-is-the-right-choice-for-hd-59/ I have known Naomi Riess for many years through our shared involvement in local community groups. She is thoughtful, prepared and effective. She listens carefully, communicates clearly and understands how decisions made at the Capitol actually affect people living and... Sun, 19 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 4AA38FA5-3F28-443C-8362-1D9716201A3D https://tj.durangoherald.com/dont-listen-to-what-trump-says-watch-what-he-does/ I always wonder: Do young people read the newspaper or do they get their information from social media and their parents? Listen up, parents – make your voting children read this so they can make up their own minds. In... Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 B55449D2-19AB-4546-93E3-F1E5BE389BE8 https://tj.durangoherald.com/editorial-cartoon-98/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 366ACF42-0264-4D39-9696-423FF8CE903F https://tj.durangoherald.com/our-view-thanks-to-polis-and-peters-clemency-needs-sunshine/ Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters’ belief that the 2020 election denied Donald Trump the presidency, and that her county’s voting results could prove it, rippled across the state and the country, harmfully undermining confidence in elections. After Gov. Jared... Wed, 15 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 26708C53-241C-4F04-A6E4-D4F8CC39A6FE https://tj.durangoherald.com/after-decades-of-permitting-gridlock-congress-has-a-rare-chance-to-act/ America’s energy permitting crisis has a number: 29 years. That’s how long it takes, on average, to bring a mine online in the United States, longer than any country except Zambia, according to S & P Global. The problem isn’t... Sun, 12 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 D717B41E-4AE4-4465-8749-200ACF728B2A https://tj.durangoherald.com/colorados-elk-herds-need-your-voice-by-july-8/ Colorado’s world-class elk herd is in trouble. The BLM is proposing oil and gas leases on the Roan Plateau of 126,744 acres – in the heart of the finest and most critical elk habitat in Colorado. The Western Slope elk... Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 5C7F5E56-1474-4AB4-9A5C-9E35FAA10984 https://tj.durangoherald.com/editorial-cartoon-97/ Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 BC4448A0-9362-4AE6-8D35-D8E6824B1E9C https://tj.durangoherald.com/understanding-initiative-no-195-and-colorados-proposed-graduated-income-tax/ This November, Colorado voters will decide candidates and several statewide ballot measures. Colorado is one of 26 states with a referendum and initiative process. A referendum is a proposal submitted by the Legislature and referred to voters for approval or... Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 E576B512-30C1-49DA-B64C-3F6C3FE220CE https://tj.durangoherald.com/editorial-cartoon-91/ Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 174DFA52-A79F-4DBA-8F96-0EFC08722EFB