Editorials

Preserve what you value

I moved to Durango 29 years ago to live with the man I had just married (the love of my life) and to begin a job in cardiology (that proved…

‘Say no to Next Step’

In discussions with residents of La Plata County as well as business and property owners on Main Avenue, very few are in favor of what three of our five city…

President must be someone we can trust

One of the most important aspects of the duties of the president of the United States is to communicate to the residents of our country about the problems and challenges…

Hunters and anglers call for Biden to designate Dolores River Canyons National Monument

David Lien In the words of former Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Conservation Director John Gale, “Conserving large tracts of undeveloped public lands as national monuments is essential to America’s hunting…

It’s time to ‘Heal the Divide’

I am writing in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign for the presidency of the United States. I am 68 years old, and have never volunteered to support any…

‘We are loving Chicago Basin to death’

After many summers of going into Chicago Basin as a trail ambassador, I’ve come to the conclusion that something must be done to lessen the impact of all the backpack…

Land acknowledgment ‘only serves to increase the tension’

So, the city of Durango has succumbed to the pandering and virtue signaling that does nothing constructive to help any of the tribes mentioned in the demeaning and self-serving Indigenous…

Our view: Special session could end too-blunt 50 and 108

In Colorado, 2,000 voters approved Amendment 23, which set annual public school funding increases at the amount of inflation. For the first 10 years, it was inflation plus 1%. Fine…

Polis is wrong to call for another special session on property taxes

Trish Zorniodu1-i-syn Gov. Jared Polis has made a big mistake calling for another special session to further cut property taxes. Yes, property taxes have caused concern for many Coloradans in…

Let’s have a campaign based on issues, not identity

In the current rancorous political climate, it was so refreshing to read (“Candidates denounce ‘fearmongering’ GOP fundraising email,” Aug. 16) about a Republican candidate renouncing a gender-based personal attack against…

Douthat’s ‘arrogance is on full display’

Please no longer print the New York Times columnists. The latest from Ross Douthat (“There is still scandal around Biden,” Aug. 11) is such a snide and conceited piece as…

Next Step: ‘We can’t take hits like that and survive’

A business owner of two stores in downtown Durango for 50 and 40 years respectively, I am very much opposed to what the man the city has hired to do…

Our view: Porter-Norton should step back, let Matt Salka run his own race

Marsha Porter-Norton is doing a fine job as county commissioner as she approaches the completion of her first four-year term, so good that she’s without a challenger this November. The…

Healthier school environment would mean better student performance

Sara Kuntzler As another school year approaches, one thing that’s top of mind for moms is our kids’ health and safety at school. That includes breathing clean air in their…

Was Tina Peters’ conviction a warning or a trend? The next election will tell us

Mike Littwindu1-i-syn It turns out, as expected, that the question of Tina Peters’ guilt was never really a question at all. Even Peters herself, according to testimony, knew that once…

Democracy is worth saving

I’m pleased to see that the La Plata County Republican Party acknowledges that the divisions in the party are disruptive to the party. I came to that conclusion in early…

Puzzle pieces make us whole

The huge excitement and joy generated by Vice President Kamala Harris’ nomination as candidate for president aligns the Democratic Party with younger generations. Gen Z and millennials are flooding to…

Kamala Harris not ‘border czar’

There’s lots to say about Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for the November presidential election, but describing her as the “border czar” isn’t one of them. The U.S. has no…

Next Step: ‘Please leave downtown alone’

I am appalled that the city came in and took our parking away on the 600 block! Aren’t they losing parking meter revenue … I know they are losing sales…

Crosswalk near Mountain Middle School ‘a serious hazard’

I am writing to express my deep concern about a serious hazard in our town of Durango. The pedestrian crosswalk on the 2900 block of north Main Avenue within two…

All Colorado households deserve to have help with affordable housing

Throughout Colorado, the cost of living, particularly housing, has exploded, and this is true across the income spectrum for low, to moderate, to high incomes, and touches every corner of…

Vivian Smotherman ‘understands and advocates’ for our needs

As a young and concerned voter in this district, I’m writing to express my strong support for Vivian Smotherman running for Senate District 6 in the upcoming election. We deserve…

Reelect ‘experienced and effective’ LPEA board member Tim Wheeler

While we are all acutely aware of the national election this November, there is also an important and more immediate local election worthy of our attention. I strongly encourage you…

‘I support and endorse’ John Purser for LPEA District 4

I support and endorse John Purser for the LPEA Board of Directors’ fourth district in northeast La Plata County. John is an outdoor enthusiast who has lived in and enjoyed…

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Our view: Have a cup of coffee

Tensions between city, county about jail can be worked out without a lawyer

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‘Can hide behind my whiteness’

When growing up in the East, my family moved to a town where we were the only Jewish family. My mother had us wear the Star of David. When we…

‘Proposed change to downtown is madness’

I can only agree that the proposed change to downtown Durango is madness. The whole bump-out concept was a necessary evil, to keep restaurants open through the pandemic. To keep…

‘Current weather worse than prior times’

In reponse to a guest column in The Colorado Sun on July 19, Trish Zornio said: “Fifteen years ago not having an AC in this part of Colorado was probably…