Guest Columns https://www.durangoherald.com/feeds/guest-columns/ 2026-06-28 08:44:36 -0700 en-us https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/dwayne-romero-why-i-am-running-for-congress/ When I was 18 years old, I raised my right hand and swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic. That oath never expires. It's why ... 2026-06-26 05:00:00 -0700 6f02931a-6a27-40a4-9197-886ed291bd40 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/alex-kelloff-what-working-families-told-me-in-dolores/ When I stopped in Dolores as part of my By The People Tour, I came to learn directly from the people who live here about what is working, what isn't, and what they need from Washington D.C. and their ... 2026-06-26 05:00:00 -0700 1ec1da3c-b467-4c9f-9700-449df0330387 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/the-constitution-doesnt-trust-anyone-and-thats-the-point/ An oversight hearing in North Carolina produced one of those moments that was equally viral and revealing. When Rep. Chesser asked Mecklenburg County Sheriff McFadden a basic civics question – “Which ... 2026-06-26 05:00:00 -0700 5a989b93-8e65-4c54-9232-7c793198c95f https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/dont-override-voters-will-on-funding-colorados-roads-and-bridges/ Drive almost any highway in Colorado, and you can feel the problem in your hands. The wheel chatters over ruts, you swerve to miss potholes and you grip a little tighter on narrow, crumbling shoulders... 2026-06-24 05:00:00 -0700 ad50f26d-bb6f-4d68-aecb-32ce9d8a8c92 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/the-lesson-from-d-day-america-fought-fascism-trump-undermines-its-legacy/ As we mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day, Americans must remember not only the courage displayed on the beaches of Normandy but also what that sacrifice was intended to achieve. More than 156,000 Alli... 2026-06-22 05:00:00 -0700 f8f5dab3-d620-4465-8d15-8a687c957c1d https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/southwest-colorado-officials-michael-bennet-has-always-delivered-for-our-region/ We are city, county and state officials from across La Plata and San Juan counties, and we agree that Michael Bennet has always been a staunch friend and ally of our corner of Colorado, has listened t... 2026-06-19 05:00:00 -0700 4a3050ee-efab-4b2d-b1c9-38a0aa374b57 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/your-investment-at-work-strengthening-la-plata-county-roads-and-infrastructure/ In November, La Plata County voters made an important investment in the future of our community by approving Ballot Issue 1A. On behalf of the board of county commissioners, we want to thank our resid... 2026-06-19 05:00:00 -0700 b621b0a8-2e29-4069-bc5d-2d09e5720d94 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/the-high-cost-of-political-musical-chairs-why-colorado-needs-bennet-in-the-senate/ As the 2026 Democratic primary for governor of Colorado approaches, voters will be asked to choose between two capable leaders: Attorney General Phil Weiser and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet. Both are fine... 2026-06-19 05:00:00 -0700 3f3cbab6-c191-4c35-8093-2c001c3034c6 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/city-council-silenced-the-voices-of-durango-residents/ Editor's note: Durango City Attorney Mark Morgan said he did not advise City Council that the citizen initiative was "administrative" and should be rejected. Rather, he advised council that... 2026-06-17 05:00:00 -0700 f216ae6e-a15f-4e91-be20-2789c3daf5ab https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/colorados-most-important-election-may-be-the-one-youre-skipping/ Every November, Colorado voters turn out in impressive numbers. Every June, a different story unfolds. Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans who faithfully vote in general elections never cast a ballot ... 2026-06-15 05:00:00 -0700 e32bfc80-56b3-4646-9d40-04b0ec0fb74d https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/our-wins-for-hd-59-and-advancing-affordability-in-southwest-colorado/ We brought real progress home to HD-59 this legislative session. I’m proud to share that 14 of my bills were signed into law. We also worked across the aisle, successfully passing seven bipartisan bil... 2026-06-12 05:00:00 -0700 ef540797-797e-4785-80de-ea5b481d978a https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/scott-bottoms-reclaiming-colorado-for-families-and-freedom/ I am running for governor of Colorado to reclaim Colorado from reckless spending, rising crime, failing schools, and out-of-touch elites who prioritize mandates and special interests over the freedoms... 2026-06-12 05:00:00 -0700 5b3a86ac-7a84-40c2-b82e-391bc957bb32 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/barb-kirkmeyer-real-solutions-proven-leadership-for-a-stronger-colorado/ Colorado is one of the most beautiful places in America. From the ranches and farms that feed our communities to the mountains, rivers and small towns that define the Western Slope, our state is worth... 2026-06-12 05:00:00 -0700 e7ed4809-152c-4359-8f27-7b0d9d109417 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/new-yorks-bromate-ban-jeopardizes-its-greatest-products/ New York lawmakers have passed legislation banning bromate. I know, shocking, right? This is not a ban that affects neighborhood bros, homeboys and mates. No, it’s worse. It is a ban on potassium brom... 2026-06-10 05:00:00 -0700 dfc87d44-8574-4acf-b8db-b3a2a67dc270 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/father-johns-message-was-love/ Father John Jatau, the parish priest at St. Columba Church, has left Durango. “God is great, all the time” was his greeting. His baseball hat said the same. You had to know him to appreciate the impac... 2026-06-08 05:00:00 -0700 9341939e-c594-47ff-b6cb-05ec5220f55a https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/from-the-mountains-to-the-capitol-colorado-kids-need-a-champion-for-youth-mental-health/ Colorado is a state that takes pride in its quality of life – our mountains, outdoor culture and thriving communities. But there is a quieter crisis that has been building in Southwest Colorado and ac... 2026-06-08 05:00:00 -0700 c992c950-36d5-45eb-80a8-d19a76494c47 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/geothermal-energy-legislation-moves-forward-with-strong-bipartisan-support/ For many Americans, Washington can feel disconnected from the challenges people face at home. Too often, political debates generate headlines but little progress. When I ran for Congress, I made a sim... 2026-06-05 05:00:00 -0700 c7875864-225d-4ef3-9431-295763f5055f https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/phil-weiser-why-im-running-to-be-colorados-next-governor/ Editor's note: The Herald Editorial Board invited Democratic and Republican candidates for Colorado governor to submit guest columns for publication. Columns are published as submitted, subject to... 2026-06-05 05:00:00 -0700 3faea9f1-2870-4144-a994-158bdaddfd81 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/michael-bennet-colorados-future-is-worth-fighting-for-together/ Editor’s note: The Herald Editorial Board invited Democratic and Republican candidates for Colorado governor to submit guest columns for publication. Columns are published as submitted, subject to... 2026-06-05 05:00:00 -0700 1c7ddfcc-2e24-437d-9033-a93d850df963 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/policing-homelessness-worsens-the-crisis/ A criminal record never helped me improve my life. I gained no benefit from mine and, though some people may think “that’s the point,” that is exactly my point. No amount of jail or probation got me a... 2026-06-05 05:00:00 -0700 f09a1f98-cbb9-4572-a7af-77d2ab396895 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/what-we-lose-when-politics-becomes-tribal-and-performative/ I’ve posted political jabs online that felt sharp in the moment – and embarrassed me an hour later. They land exactly the way you expect: likes, agreement, a small rush of validation. And then they cu... 2026-06-03 05:00:00 -0700 77c9f6e7-b89f-424e-bcf7-a8fdb296bcd2 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/business-growth-and-housing-expansion-could-reverse-la-plata-countys-economic-decline/ Editor’s note: Part I of this two-part column appeared in the Friday edition . Reversing these trends will require more than small adjustments. Two major initiatives could fundamentally ch... 2026-06-01 05:00:00 -0700 e3afcad6-8c31-4b44-9bd2-d66ddf7c9f27 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/responsible-mining-the-la-platas-are-not-ours-to-gamble-away/ I cry during movies frequently, though I am rarely – if ever – wrecked by a children’s movie. “Hoppers” did it; minutes in, I felt tears welling as the on-screen grandmother teaches her granddaughter ... 2026-05-29 05:00:00 -0700 6e540692-735d-44d2-bb9a-6c917ae484fe https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/pre-statehood-water-rights-still-govern-southwest-colorado-water-use-today/ With the celebration of Colorado’s 150th anniversary, we old water buffalos couldn’t remember – even though we were there – which water rights were diverting water in Southwest Colorado before stateho... 2026-05-29 05:00:00 -0700 e4d7a5bf-0258-454a-899b-c536d1907ea4 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/la-plata-countys-economy-is-stagnating-as-workers-and-families-are-pushed-out/ Editor’s note: This is Part I of a two-part column examining La Plata County’s economy. Part II will appear Monday, June 1 . The La Plata County economy is failing. A lack of economic grow... 2026-05-29 05:00:00 -0700 cf71321f-fe48-4859-bb6b-b12e66afbf06 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/ted-turner-leaves-enduring-conservation-legacy-across-the-american-west/ Before he died at age 87 in early May, Ted Turner knew that stewardship of land would be his real legacy. Of course, he might also be long known for starting CNN and 24-hour news, as well as building ... 2026-05-27 05:00:00 -0700 824707d2-c338-478f-b203-c4bc11d84b1c https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/remember-me/ I am Corporal Allen Stall; I am ALL those you will never know, I am those who lived and died far away, because I went where others didn’t go. Yes, you can call me corporal, but that really isn’t quit... 2026-05-25 05:00:00 -0700 c573e682-31f8-4e9c-9bd6-1a5134c3470c https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/dhs-students-bring-community-together-to-build-a-more-resilient-future/ Just a stone’s throw from the too-low-for-April Animas River, more than 100 community members and Durango High School students gathered at the Powerhouse to learn, discuss and ultimately prove that de... 2026-05-22 05:00:00 -0700 6e1a2eec-46de-4ba4-9ed9-a3f2cb1ddcfc https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/durangos-public-lands-need-rep-hurds-voice-and-vote-in-washington/ Drive any direction from downtown Durango, and you find public land within minutes. The San Juan Mountains surround us – the foundation of our economy, our identity and the lives we've built. Each of ... 2026-05-22 05:00:00 -0700 66337fe1-4466-4656-90a6-2b9d2a7beb47 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/hands-on-transplant-science-lesson-gave-students-unforgettable-look-inside-the-human-body/ I held the lungs in my hands, thinking about how apparent the effects of smoking were. That moment stuck with me throughout the day. On April 13, what started as a normal school day turned into a mem... 2026-05-22 05:00:00 -0700 5543aff5-3723-4493-8b82-11a03ddeb671