Editorials

Editorial cartoon

Growing talent locally: Why internships matter for Durango’s economy

Durango’s biggest export isn’t craft beer or mountain views – it’s our young people. Every May, when graduates receive their diplomas, they often also pick up a one-way ticket out…

My New Year’s resolution: Lower the volume, raise the results

Every January, people make resolutions they half-expect to break. Exercise more. Eat better. Spend less time staring at their phones. Hurd Members of Congress don’t usually make resolutions in public.…

We the People will decide the fate of U.S. democracy in 2026

Democracies rarely collapse in dramatic moments. More often, they erode quietly – rules bent, norms ignored, institutions weakened until they exist mostly on paper. In 2025, the United States experienced…

Are we spending Colorado’s money wisely?

Electric school buses are often described as “cleaner” and “more efficient,” and the recent article on Durango School District’s plans reflects that framing (Herald, Dec. 19). Those goals sound positive.…

An adult delinquent in the White House

Not long ago when teenagers vandalized public or private property they were called juvenile delinquents. Violators were immediately reprimanded by parents (or law enforcement) and defaced property remediated. Today, an…

A Christmas poem

Ho, ho, ho and a bottle of rum Guess we all need something strong To keep from getting numb But the Spirit of Christmas Reminds us all of something true…

Trump’s chasm between reality and rhetoric

A week before Christmas, President Donald Trump once again attacked Biden’s economy, grossly departing from truth and reality. Trump said he actually brought prices down, that you lost 20% of…

Responsible adults must safeguard our children

A couple of Saturday morning shows ago, the CNN program hosted by Michael Smerconish ran a poll of about 30,000 people across the U.S., and 84% stated that the child…

Lies threaten the future of society

Tomorrow’s society may be at risk because of an understated problem: lies. Politicians and citizens with perceived power have lied to us throughout history, but today their proliferation is exploding.…

Socialism isn’t America’s villain

I was pleasantly surprised to see Mike Sigman’s Letter to the Editor (Herald, Jan. 2) in which he referenced history. The pleasant part was that Mr. Sigman has obviously done…

The deficit is a spending problem

Sen. Mitt Romney is right about one thing: the fiscal cliff is real (Herald, Dec. 28). But taxing “the rich” has become Washington’s favorite distraction from the true cause of…

Our view: Ben Nighthorse Campbell

An independent with lasting impact

Questioning historical comparisons of Antifa

It’s a bit troubling to read former educator Gene Orr’s opinion piece (Herald, Dec. 19) where he conflates the current U.S. “Antifa” with various groups who were called “Antifa” in…

At the local level, abundance comes from building, not dismantling

Lately, people across the political spectrum have been celebrating a renewed call to “cut red tape” in the name of business growth. As a progressive Democrat – and a La…

Thank you, good people

We would like to thank all the people of Archuleta and La Plata counties who came to our rescue after we were involved in a horrific car crash on Monday,…

Wondering about Durango Mall redevelopment

I’m delighted to hear that plans are afoot to make better use of the Durango Mall and its gigantic, empty parking lot. It’s a great location for more housing, near…

Our view: WRC

Amid upheaval, the mission must endure

Your view: 2025 in letters

In a year marked by national division – during a season that is now leaning toward the light – we want to pause and thank the readers without whom there…

Our view: Strike

When obstinance overrides reason

Help build a more walkable, bikeable Durango

Are you interested in making Durango a better place to live? A place that’s easier to walk, bike and maybe be more affordable? Strong Towns is a national nonprofit organization…

There’s no getting around this if we want to avoid the cliff ahead

In 2012, political ads suggested that some of my policy proposals, if enacted, would amount to pushing grandma off a cliff. Actually, my proposals were intended to prevent that very…

Leading with purpose, serving with heart: Durango’s progress and 2025 achievements

As the close of 2025 approaches, I want to take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary progress we’ve made together as a community. This season is a time for…

Fight to keep Peters behind bars

The request from Tina Peters’ lawyers – asking for leniency or intervention in her sentence – is patently absurd, both on the face of it and under the Rule of…

Flock data collection violates the Fourth Amendment

All citizens driving through Durango are being watched and surveilled by the Durango Police Department’s Flock Safety cameras installed at 21 locations. These cameras record every license plate and all…

Friendship is life’s embrace

Inside the Statue of Liberty is a plaque engraved with words from “The New Colossus,” an 1883 poem by Emma Lazarus: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses…

Protecting transgender kids is the moderate position

For the few weeks before our school board election, I was spammed with text messages from “Neighbors for a Better Colorado,” who tried to incite a moral panic about transgender…

Gun-free zones can invite tragedy

I am writing regarding the editorial, “Our view: Choose light” (Herald, Dec. 17). There is one point you missed: these are Gun-Free Zones – and, in some cases, gun-free countries.…

Herald stands strong for our civil rights

Kudos to the Herald’s editorial board for the strong, well-written, well-researched editorials standing up for our community’s civil rights at a time when we sorely need it. The editorial on…

Counties are right: Hurd must introduce NCA

As a Montezuma County resident and avid outdoorsman, I was encouraged to see Commissioners Gerald Koppenhafer and Marsha Porter-Norton urge Congressman Hurd to introduce the Dolores River National Conservation Area…