Columnists - The Durango Herald

Animas Valley Land Use Plan wrongs residents, denies protections afforded the rest of the county

To develop a commercial property in La Plata County, a Land Use permit is required to obtain a building permit. The La Plata Land Use Code defines all land uses other than residential as req...

DATE: May 25, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Greed will become our downfall and harm the most vulnerable among us

As a young man, I often wondered at the fact that so many people idolized the wealthy. I still do. I grew up at a time when many of my family and friends worked for large corporations such a...

DATE: May 25, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Love for alcohol leaves little room for friendship

DEAR ABBY: I have known “Sheila” for 30 years. We were once dear friends. She was always a social drinker. Twelve years ago, she lost her husband to cancer and began drinking increasingly he...

DATE: May 23, 2025 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

House GOP reconciliation bill sacrifices Western resources, values and way of life

Healthy wildlife habitat, clean air and water, strong rural economies, and fiscal responsibility by our government. Who can argue about these things? Not me, and not most Americans. In fact,...

DATE: May 23, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Local First, AI Institute at Fort Lewis College collaborate to streamline Be Local Coupon Book production

Local First has long been a champion of supporting locally owned, independent businesses to strengthen the local economy. One of its signature initiatives, the Be Local Coupon Book, has been...

DATE: May 21, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local First

Mojo Birds’ music a mix of genres

The genre that is “Afro-Peruvian-Mojo” is not household term when it comes to music terms. It does, however, remain an apt descriptor for local band Mojo Birds. Part indie-pop and soul band,...

DATE: May 21, 2025 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

Time to air out dirty laundry?

DEAR ABBY: My late husband and I were married 38 years when we finally went to marriage counseling. I found out then that he had slept with my sister early in our marriage. I had suspected h...

DATE: May 21, 2025 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

For waste and inefficiency, you really can’t beat corn ethanol

Corn ethanol, also known as grain alcohol, has been burned in gasoline engines and human stomachs since before Henry Ford was born. It’s hard on both, so until 35 years ago it never caught o...

DATE: May 21, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Lose weight naturally by unlocking your body’s GLP-1 superpower

You’ve likely heard the hype around Ozempic and Wegovy – weight loss drugs that have taken the world by storm. These medications mimic a gut hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), k...

DATE: May 19, 2025 | CATEGORY: Strength in Well-being

How many miles to the top of Coal Bank?

Dear Action Line, As we cyclists struggle up the grade to Coal Bank Pass, we encounter a sign that reads “Coal Bank Pass Summit 4 Miles.” By my observation, it’s only 3.71 miles to ...

DATE: May 19, 2025 | CATEGORY: Action Line

Husband’s mom not wanted in picture

DEAR ABBY: I have a full-time job and am in pretty good health. I have one son, “Brian,” who is married and has three children. My problem is that my son is often rude to me. I was a single ...

DATE: May 18, 2025 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby