Columnists - The Durango Herald

Get informed ahead of April elections

Next month, city voters will receive a ballot in the mail in advance of the April 4 election day, providing the opportunity to vote for three of five City Council candidates, as well as to c...

DATE: Feb 26, 2017 | CATEGORY: From the Mayor

Whose armrest is it, anyway? A lesson in seat etiquette

Jacy Reese was just being polite when he offered to switch airline seats with a mother and her young son on a recent flight from Copenhagen, Denmark, to Toronto. But as the old saying goes, ...

DATE: Feb 26, 2017 | CATEGORY: The Travel Troubleshooter

Backpacking is work, but it doesn’t have to be hard work

By Dr. Will Rietveld Many of us moved to Southwest Colorado for the wonderful climate, people and abundant public lands. With millions of acres of public lands surrounding us, we ...

DATE: Feb 25, 2017 | CATEGORY: Stewards of the Land

The LA movie that should have won best picture

My candidate lost, and yes, I still can’t get over it. I speak of the 1997 movie “L.A. Confidential.” A riff on the creepy film-noir movies of the 1950s, its dark brilliance lay clouded in t...

DATE: Feb 24, 2017 | CATEGORY: Froma Harrop

Fluoride in public water systems improves health

The summer after my first year of medical school, I spent time working with a community dentist who was the first to teach me the association between oral health and systemic disease. ...

DATE: Feb 23, 2017 | CATEGORY: La Plata Health Watch

Better know the code before you go

With it officially being Spring conditions at Purgatory Resort, I thought this would be a great time to make sure everyone is aware of Colorado’s Responsibility Code. The slopes can be tons ...

DATE: Feb 22, 2017 | CATEGORY: Snowsports Tips From Tex

Growing up is a dance toward independence

Col is skiing with a buddy, turned loose on the slopes without an adult. Rose is cruising downtown Durango with a friend, “window-shopping,” their hair swept into high ponytails, ears weighe...

DATE: Feb 22, 2017 | CATEGORY: Adventures in Motherhood

Slow economic growth points to a broken century

Most of us came of age in the last half of the 20th century and had our perceptions of “normal” formed in that era. It was, all things considered, an unusually happy period. No world wars, n...

DATE: Feb 22, 2017 | CATEGORY: From our Congressman

What’s up in the downhill ski business?

Colorado is synonymous with skiing. Our state leads the world in resort development, snow conditions, technology and ambiance. We are the champions. So do you know your ski indust...

DATE: Feb 21, 2017 | CATEGORY: A Take on Tourism

How many ways are there to get rid of Trump?

We’re just a month into the Trump presidency, and already so many are wondering: How can we end it? One poll from Public Policy Polling found that as many Americans – 46 percent –...

DATE: Feb 21, 2017 | CATEGORY: Nicholas Kristof

Time’s right to agree on a tax and rebate for carbon

WASHINGTON – By all means, let’s have a carbon tax. It’s the best way to deal with global climate change. It would require Republicans and Democrats to compromise – a good thing...

DATE: Feb 20, 2017 | CATEGORY: Robert Samuelson

Weekly trip to the grocery store can be quite taxing

I’m wondering about taxes we have to pay at the grocery store. I’m attaching my Walmart receipt. I know that the city tax is 3 percent, the county is 2 percent and the state is 2.9 percent f...

DATE: Feb 19, 2017 | CATEGORY: Action Line

Photos: Thousands take to the streets for ‘No Kings’ march and rally in Durango

Photos: Navajo Trail OpenFriday was the first day of the Navajo Trail Open at Hillcrest Golf Club

Friday was the first day of the Navajo Trail Open at Hillcrest Golf Club

Photos: Durango Fire Protection District opens Station 2

Photos: Hundreds gather to honor fallen Bloomfield Police officer Timothy OntiverosA solemn procession stretched for blocks Monday morning along West Apache Street in Farmington – a display of unity, grief and honor for Bloomfield Police Officer Timothy Ontiveros, 32.About 7 a.m., a large contingent of law enforcement, motorcyclists, friends and grieving family prepared to embark on the motorcade to the 9 a.m. service at the Bloomfield High School football stadium to celebrate the life of the officer.