Opinion https://www.durangoherald.com/feeds/opinion/ 2026-05-20 04:28:51 -0700 en-us https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/weiser-for-governor-bennet-for-senate/ Michael Bennet states that he can handle Colorado’s budgeting process because he did budgets while serving as superintendent of Denver Public Schools. He did, but Denver ended up in a deep financial h... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 1a9eb082-0103-4ab1-9656-cda85c723214 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/why-durango-school-district-is-building-three-springs-elementary-despite-enrollment-declines/ I understand why some community members are asking questions about building a new school while the district is discussing enrollment declines and budget challenges. Those are fair questions, and they ... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 892c383f-081a-49a6-813a-ef41266ac742 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/competence-matters-vote-luschen-and-jenkins/ Competence matters. That seems like an obvious statement, but when you are talking about energy, it could not be truer. Competence is what is needed going forward so LPEA makes thoughtful energy procu... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 27d1437b-2987-4647-86a0-337c038cb30e https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/attorney-general-phil-weiser-for-governor/ The midterm primary is June 30, when U.S. Sen. Bennet and current eight-year Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser are on the Democratic ballot for governor of Colorado. I hope you will join me in vot... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 3cfeb0fe-2d86-42fc-b99b-461598d21163 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/lot-f-should-benefit-the-broader-community/ As the new Head Start nears completion, the question is how Lot F, the site of the old Head Start, will be used. This is a city-owned lot, and there is a proposal for 22 housing units, with only four ... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 4e8142db-feae-44cb-9460-6a93da10b741 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/durango-must-take-water-conservation-seriously/ It’s encouraging that Durango is finally addressing water usage. I frequently eat out and socialize at local businesses, and it’s frustrating to see large glasses of water and pitchers of water served... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 d621f2c3-bccc-4299-88f2-7820de233079 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/colorado-voters-should-participate-in-june-primary/ Did you know that there will be a primary in June for us in Colorado? The primary ballot, mailed June 8, will select the final candidates to represent either the Democratic or Republican Party in the ... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 81e3db8a-01c0-4244-9e34-c34b24e85d0b https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/our-view-colorado-public-lands-day/ Since 2016, Colorado has observed the third Saturday in May as Public Lands Day, honoring the role public lands play in the state’s identity, economy and quality of life. In a state where more than 22... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 3a95af39-6c7f-4854-97c9-bc142ad28e02 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/jodi-zuber-brings-trusted-leadership-experience/ Jodi Zuber cares deeply about our community, and that is one of the many reasons I am proud to support her for the LPEA Board of Directors. I have known Jodi for nearly 50 years, dating back to her ch... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 db9237fd-3f66-4f6e-a60b-c29c5568a9e8 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/cpws-role-under-sb25-003-raises-concerns/ Colorado’s new firearm law, SB25-003, takes effect Aug. 1 and places Colorado Parks and Wildlife in charge of developing and approving firearm safety courses that will be required to purchase certain ... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 0cd69d72-815b-4996-8f8d-159a76f88735 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/phil-weiser-for-governor/ Sen. Bennet is running in the Democratic primary for governor of Colorado against Attorney General Phil Weiser. Sen. Bennet questions Weiser’s ability to fight Trump, saying, “I understand that Phil i... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 b8dd7690-9e9b-4326-b274-f0157b34ac06 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/trump-should-undergo-cognitive-evaluation/ A respected psychiatrist recently educated me about a neurological condition known as “sundowning syndrome” in aging people. This mental weakness may indicate oncoming, or existing, dementia. It is a ... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 d666977a-b5f8-40dd-824b-e0cb751dd828 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/jenn-jenkins-puts-community-first/ As an educator, I believe in leading by example. Connection and kindness matter. We are fortunate to live in a small town where we see people we know at the grocery store, friends at the park or previ... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 f0234439-c62b-4e9e-9dfc-ee9091d6627b https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/lpea-needs-practical-dependable-community-leadership/ As a lifelong resident of La Plata County and someone who has spent years working community events around Ignacio and Durango, I want to support Jodi Zuber for the LPEA Board, District 3. I have known... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 dc79d6ff-ec4d-441d-b854-fefe8d85f72d https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/lpea-needs-practical-energy-leadership/ We need to elect new La Plata Electric Association board members, ones who will seriously consider the impact rising electric costs are having on families, seniors and businesses in our communities. L... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 cb3fdef3-da43-4633-8b06-1593520ca5b9 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/voting-alone-will-not-stop-fascism/ The third No Kings protest in March was, from the perspective of its organizers, a huge success. Said to be, once again, among the largest protests in U.S. history, it demonstrated that many Americans... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 bf8892a3-4ef3-4119-aa76-70c23384299f https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/public-education-deserves-colorado-first-leadership/ As a lifelong educator and former state representative deeply invested in promoting public education, I am saddened to learn that Sen. Michael Bennet’s super PAC has accepted millions of dollars from ... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 d65f069f-bb4c-433c-8a1b-b79cdc905584 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/editorial-cartoon-1280/ ... 2026-05-18 05:00:00 -0700 43cc651f-5e27-442b-899a-9820ef9fc417 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/reelect-luschen-for-lpea-district-4/ In deciding who you will choose to elect for LPEA District 4 this month, please ask yourself: Will you vote to re-elect David Luschen, or elect John Purser for the first time after his three previous ... 2026-05-15 05:00:00 -0700 18555c1b-42d2-4d52-b765-99eff2237568 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/our-view-endurance-the-most-fitting-name-possible/ May is National Bike Month, and few communities embrace cycling culture quite like Durango. We host world-class races. We celebrate Iron Horse season like a civic holiday. We decorate the “Endurance” ... 2026-05-15 05:00:00 -0700 33d0e718-865f-4d6a-8704-2706b6a9b93c https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/a-vote-of-confidence-for-lpea/ Paying a utility bill to a monopoly provider can be frustrating, especially as the cost of living rises. That frustration might tempt you toward “change for change’s sake.” But as a member-owner of La... 2026-05-15 05:00:00 -0700 64725d63-00c2-441c-b7cd-22b3ebfbaa27 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/historical-comparison-goes-too-far/ The letter, “Remember the victims of 1776,” (Herald, April 22) certainly is not aging well. It identified British atrocities during the American Revolution, then appeared to indirectly smear alleged m... 2026-05-15 05:00:00 -0700 6ddb6a72-fd33-4b83-ba3e-2f92dca1aa7c https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/council-should-reconsider-mayor-pro-tem-decision/ Over the past year, I have met one-on-one with all of our City Council members while advocating for better bike and pedestrian infrastructure. While I am not privy to internal council conversations, C... 2026-05-15 05:00:00 -0700 07485101-b865-4431-9171-d5a210c91edd https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/building-a-rural-health-care-workforce-one-pathway-at-a-time/ When Axis Health System approached the La Plata Economic Development Alliance about the Opportunity NOW grant Axis received to create Healthcare Workforce Pathways, it was because of the Alliance's pr... 2026-05-15 05:00:00 -0700 757c0e65-428a-4bf7-901f-942b5db478ec https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/animas-river-trail-should-be-the-priority/ Although I agree the mall would be a great venue for indoor pickleball courts, I question the idea of the city footing the bill for such an endeavor. After all, how many people in the community would ... 2026-05-15 05:00:00 -0700 d059ce7b-2310-460b-9d06-6da6609a151f https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/respecting-different-choices-during-state-testing/ In response to the letter, “Opt-out students deserve better treatment,” (H erald, April 27), regarding the treatment of students who opted out of state testing, I would like to provide additional c... 2026-05-15 05:00:00 -0700 a5f6935b-9824-42e3-a9b5-74690e17b466 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/building-an-affordable-future-how-la-plata-county-is-addressing-housing-costs/ With rising prices at the grocery store and the gas station, the term “affordability” seems to be everywhere. But for many in our community, affordability isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a daily challeng... 2026-05-15 05:00:00 -0700 93059327-af98-4ba7-a655-7d18a95f4591 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/colorado-lawmakers-keep-dodging-debate-over-public-stream-access-rights/ It’s perplexing that preserving legal public stream access remains one of the most untouchable topics in the Colorado legislature. Our state’s constitution boldly proclaims that every natural stream b... 2026-05-15 05:00:00 -0700 a4f0ea83-bdca-400e-9d9c-933cb7574767 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-colorado-needs-riess-at-the-capitol-2/ I am proud to endorse Naomi Riess for Colorado House District 59. I have known Naomi for more than a decade, both as a client and as collaborator on planning projects, and I can say without hesitation... 2026-05-15 05:00:00 -0700 01af4e99-debf-4717-97f1-3eccddcd5e7c https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/my-view-planned-parenthood-is-health-care/ Long before abortion became one of America’s most weaponized political issues, Planned Parenthood was simply where I went for affordable, compassionate health care and contraception as a young college... 2026-05-13 05:00:00 -0700 796e9acb-a8c1-4d15-9d10-a49398287983