Letters to the Editor

Stop the lies, corruption and contempt
Letters to the Editor

Stop the lies, corruption and contempt

April 27, 2025

Our government is snatching and disappearing people. Our government is cutting people off from their livelihoods and depriving us of their services. Move fast and break things. Why did democracy…

Trump is establishing a Kingdom
Letters to the Editor

Trump is establishing a Kingdom

April 27, 2025

Power grabbing is standard fare for an authoritarian government: – impounding congressionally-appropriated funds at numerous federal agencies, in violation of federal law – firing dozens of federal prosecutions, thousands of…

LPEA needs forward thinking board members
Letters to the Editor

LPEA needs forward thinking board members

April 27, 2025

The election for the LPEA Board is a chance to move forward. The difference between the candidates’ positions is related to last year’s cancellation of the LPEA and Tri-State contract.…

Take down the racist Chief statue
Letters to the Editor

Take down the racist Chief statue

April 27, 2025

Let’s be clear: The Chief statue in downtown Durango is racist. It’s not art. It’s a caricature that mocks Native American people and culture. It’s a relic of white supremacy,…

Reelect LPEA directors who have delivered results
Letters to the Editor

Reelect LPEA directors who have delivered results

April 27, 2025

After years of careful planning, La Plata Electric Association is finally on the verge of delivering the affordable and reliable power our community deserves. We didn’t get here by accident…

Don’t open the gate for the RV Resort
Letters to the Editor

Don’t open the gate for the RV Resort

April 27, 2025

I’m very aware of the location for the RV resort because I passed that area for 30 years on the way to visit family who still live there before I…

FLC got it exactly wrong
Letters to the Editor

FLC got it exactly wrong

April 27, 2025

Concerning the recent controversy involving gallery owner Jackson Clark and Native American activists, Fort Lewis got it exactly wrong and the big losers are the Native American students and activists…

Vote Barber for leadership, fiscal responsibility
Letters to the Editor

Vote Barber for leadership, fiscal responsibility

April 25, 2025

I’ve been an LPEA member for 33 years and think it is important to have directors who know the utility business like Greg Barber, who is running for District 2…

Witchel has the skills McKnight seeks
Opinion

Witchel has the skills McKnight seeks

April 25, 2025

As District 4 members prepare to vote for the LPEA Board of Directors, it’s crucial to consider the candidates’ experience and track records with substantial financial projects. Incumbent John Witchel…

Metzler, Lewandowski and Witchel for LPEA
Opinion

Metzler, Lewandowski and Witchel for LPEA

April 23, 2025

Roughly 25 years ago, I attended my first LPEA annual meeting, and the keynote speaker from Tri-State gave a talk titled, “The Myth of Renewable Energy.” He mainly spoke about…

Missed the mark by a mile
Opinion

Missed the mark by a mile

April 23, 2025

Whether I agree with a Herald editorial or not, there is generally a thoughtful basis for the writer’s point of view. However, the editorial on the new Colorado gun laws…

Be aware, be informed
Letters to the Editor

Be aware, be informed

April 23, 2025

All citizens should read and watch all variety of news outlets. Do not listen to, or read, one news outlet. To be informed, you need to look at different opinions.…

What happens to LPEA capital credits?
Letters to the Editor

What happens to LPEA capital credits?

April 23, 2025

As a member-owner of Tri-State, LPEA receives annual capital credit allocations – a share of Tri-State’s profits based on how much power LPEA purchases. These are recorded as patronage capital,…

How to fix our black bear problem
Letters to the Editor

How to fix our black bear problem

April 20, 2025

Black bears were here before any of us were. At first, I had problems with them getting into our kitchen garbage. Then, I specified from our trash hauler that I…

Leaving Tri-State is smart
Letters to the Editor

Leaving Tri-State is smart

April 20, 2025

LPEA’s decision to exit its contract with Tri-State next year was driven by a desire for more affordable and more renewable energy sources that benefit the local economy. The move…

Unstoppable, united, indivisible we stand
Letters to the Editor

Unstoppable, united, indivisible we stand

April 20, 2025

Corporations operate for one purpose only – profit for investors. Any CEO daring to risk profit to protect a mere river, or employees, would be immediately fired. We see the…

Let’s keep La Plata Electric sane
Letters to the Editor

Let’s keep La Plata Electric sane

April 20, 2025

Republicans have taken over the federal government. Locally, Republicans are also trying for any offices they can, understanding that local government – from school boards to the county, from libraries…

Tyranny is the opposite of God’s kingdom of love
Letters to the Editor

Tyranny is the opposite of God’s kingdom of love

April 20, 2025

I’ve recently been rereading “Caesar and Christ,” historian Will Durant’s 1944 classic which traces the history of Rome and Christianity from their beginnings into the 4th century. The similarities of…

Readers write poetry
Letters to the Editor

Readers write poetry

April 20, 2025

Would that I could as I know I should But such is the quandary of life in the laundry or life as a resident or even the president Leslie Ray…

Federal spending is not the problem
Letters to the Editor

Federal spending is not the problem

April 20, 2025

The Trump administration has stated that the government is spending too much. This is false! The real problem is the IRS has been severely defunded and short staffed. According to…

Stand for free speech, due process
Letters to the Editor

Stand for free speech, due process

April 20, 2025

Free speech is among the most important of all values in our culture. The free exchange of ideas is paramount to the rule of law which is foundational to our…

Since 1942, federal workforce has been constant
Letters to the Editor

Since 1942, federal workforce has been constant

April 20, 2025

I am writing in response to a letter Rep. Jeff Hurd recently sent to constituents regarding cuts to the federal workforce. In his letter he said, “I wholeheartedly agree our…

Student advocacy and the power of youth
Letters to the Editor

Student advocacy and the power of youth

April 20, 2025

I am writing to acknowledge the recent efforts of two dedicated students in the Ignacio School District who have successfully been working toward reintegrating sexual education into their school’s curriculum.…

Readers write poetry:
Letters to the Editor

Readers write poetry:

April 20, 2025

(Inspired by Nomadland) There’s a nation you don’t know Moving through the Motherland Hard times put us on the go In a camper, truck, or van We are nomads on…

Vallecito, a great source of local power
Opinion

Vallecito, a great source of local power

April 20, 2025

The Vallecito hydro plant could be providing over 18,000,000 kWHs of clean, reliable power to La Plata Electric Association every year. It can also do it below Tri-State’s costs, providing…

You calling me a ‘Commie’?
Opinion

You calling me a ‘Commie’?

April 20, 2025

When did Republicans have the “come to Jesus” moment that the American worker needs help? Years of stagnate wages, union busting and not an inkling of respect for those who…

Icing over the other part of Chapman
Opinion

Icing over the other part of Chapman

April 20, 2025

As another winter draws to a close, there has been plenty of talk about the Chapman ski hill improvements this past year. While hill staff did make the most of…

Bravo, La Plata County Board of Commissioners
Opinion

Bravo, La Plata County Board of Commissioners

April 18, 2025

Last week, La Plata County became the first county in the country to pass a resolution supporting national public lands and opposing the Trump administration’s push to sell them off…