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…
In March, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” To my knowledge no historians were consulted on this sweeping attempt to rewrite…
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…
Voters in this year’s La Plata Electric Association board election, concluding on Wednesday, retained two incumbents and added a former county commissioner for the seats representing La Plata County (we…
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,…
Durango’s version of the running of the Pamplona bulls kicks off today as 1,800 riders and racers get ready to mount their trusty steeds Saturday morning for the 53rd Iron…
I have read with horror that someone was killed on the Animas River Trail. Yes, killed. The trail is no longer a safe place for anyone, unless you’re walking slowly…
I work at an affordable housing apartment complex for seniors. When I saw that the Street Dog Coalition provides veterinary services I was intrigued. Street Dog Coalition provides these services…
Having spent a lot of time volunteering in the outdoors and interacting with dog owners in areas that require dogs to be leashed, I’ve come up with six reasons for…
As a neighbor of the recently deceased bike rider whose fall was caused by a loose dog encounter, I am deeply saddened for his family and irate at the irresponsible…
Big changes are coming to health insurance in 2026, and hardly anyone is talking about it. During COVID-19, Congress expanded tax credits that helped millions of Americans – especially families,…
There are only days remaining in the House Republicans’ pledge to submit the coming year’s federal budget. While the larger components in play today are known, their fates and sizes…
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…
There is little ‘big and beautiful’ about the Republicans’ budget, especially for public lands The president’s “big, beautiful” tax, defense, energy and immigration bill crashed and burned on Friday and…
The continuous outrage against Donald Trump is fascinating to watch. A friend of mine who is a nationally prominent psychologist (and a liberal) told me that we’re watching true mass-hysteria.…
Dialing 911 in a medical emergency is not something people expect to do, but when they do, they have expectations from a system largely unknown to them. People want and…
The first regular session of the 75th Colorado General Assembly concluded on May 7 after our constitutionally limited 120 days. We actually completed our legislative work several hours before midnight…
John Witchel has been a resource and positive force for startup companies in our community for many years. He has a strong background as an entrepreneur and donates his time…
A recent letter (Herald, May 11) relies on outdated and misleading talking points about Tri-State’s approximate $2.6 billion debt. The debt is primarily backed by long-term, low-interest federal loans from…
Here’s how you fix the DeNier Center. Open it to juvenile offenders. Vet and hire some juvenile justice folks including a juvenile prosecutor and a juvenile public defender. That ensures…
A recent letter (Herald, May 9) was most certainly written by a former advertising person. First off, the Animas Valley proposed RV park will be built on a former gravel…
I have observed that Trump, Musk and DOGE’s cost-cutting efforts are for programs that do not provide immediate monetary benefits. The programs they are cutting reduce death and disease, do…
So here we are. We’ve got a president who’s now openly ignoring an order from the Supreme Court. That should worry everybody, no matter your politics. He has betrayed the…
Climate change threatens every aspect of our way of life in Durango. Whether it’s biking our trails, kayaking our rivers or skiing our mountains, these treasured pastimes depend on a…
As a graduate of Colorado School of Mines (B.S. Electrical Engineering, 1989; M.S. Mining Engineering, 1992) and a resident of this area since 1977, I have watched La Plata Electric…
Community connectivity and the promise of two trails “We’re all waiting for that trail to be completed,” said a participant to the City of Durango’s inaugural Parade of Projects held…
The Scots are a practical and direct people. They spell whisky without an “e.” The “e” takes up ink and space and is quite simply unnecessary. Cross I was the…
The proposed Roberts Resorts Village Camp Durango – Phase I (PL20230036) for 275 luxury RVs and Park Model Homes will bring an influx of around 800 people into the Animas…
In a beautiful downtown public park such as Buckley park, why are the three portable toilets there always locked? I get the homeless issues in town, but couldn’t these toilets…
Motorcycle riding has its risks, and here is the largest risk, with numbers: during 2024, 165 riders were killed in Colorado, which was about 25% of all vehicle-involved fatalities. What…
