Opinion Columns – The Durango Herald

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Conflicts over wolves mostly ‘social, governance issues’

The restoration of wolves to Colorado is an historic conservation effort to return and preserve the integrity of wild ecosystems in the Southern Rocky Mountains. This is why I feel compelled...

DATE: Dec 8, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘When, in what areas can we recreate shared experiences’

A chance encounter brought up some of my happiest memories, while at the same time tying into a series of conversations I have been party to about what we are missing as a society. It was a ...

DATE: Dec 8, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Christmas goose isn’t only one getting fat

We are in the midst of the great Caloric Festival that occurs between Thanksgiving and New Years, followed by often ill-fated resolutions. And, now, this annual time period has gotten worse....

DATE: Dec 8, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Loss of habitat greatest threat to hunting, not out-of-staters

A disgruntled hunter wrote a Writers on the Range opinion recently about Westerners fed up with the many out-of-staters coming in and buying up draw licenses to shoot bull elk, deer, bear an...

DATE: Nov 29, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Social media ruining Colorado politics. Can we log out?

Social media just might be the worst thing that ever happened to Colorado politics. Yes, it can be good to connect with others digitally. Yes, you can learn about events and meet new people....

DATE: Nov 26, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

In retirement, what to do with so many books?

We’ve all heard the oft-repeated cliches of retirement: • Retirement is just a never-ending vacation. • Think about retirement as being two six-month holidays per year. • Why do retirees smi...

DATE: Nov 24, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Alzheimer’s moved up home deconstruction

It’s funny how one small action can carry a mountain of meaning. I was caught off guard by my reaction to tossing out little drawings done years ago by our grandchildren. Tears rolled down m...

DATE: Nov 22, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘Commodification of college campuses’

Public universities in the U.S. are largely a relic of the past. Today, higher education is mainly a private venture, but not without consequence. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment when...

DATE: Nov 22, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

‘See bigger picture of our careless lives’

Guides in the outdoor industry inevitably come up with collective nicknames for customers. On horseback they’re “dudes,” on the river they’re “mers” –short for customers – and they’re “stick...

DATE: Nov 22, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Pulling thistles, sowing hope

For the past few years I’ve participated in “Thistle Thursdays,” targeting a popular trail near Jackson, Wyoming. The weekly weed party was organized in 2019 by Morgan Graham, wildlife habit...

DATE: Nov 17, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Ski resorts turn ‘blind eye’ to weed, alcohol use

Colorado’s ski season has officially begun and mountain etiquette is already in question. If you were at Winter Park’s opening weekend, you probably know what I mean. For all the joy cruisin...

DATE: Nov 15, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Buck good reasons to give up House seat

Who among us thought that the Ken Buck we’ve known for so many years would apparently end his political career by calling out the Republican Party for its, well, fecklessness – my word, not ...

DATE: Nov 12, 2023 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Photos: Funeral procession for Cortez Police Sgt. Michael MoranHundreds of law enforcement vehicles escort the body of Cortez Police Sgt. Michael Moran

Hundreds of law enforcement vehicles escort the body of Cortez Police Sgt. Michael Moran

PHOTOS: Fort Lewis basketball teams entertain Adams StateFLC men win 100-80 on Tuesday, women lose 76-56

FLC men win 100-80 on Tuesday, women lose 76-56

Hundreds attend Candlelight vigil for Cortez police Sgt. Michael Moran

Skyhawks score 41 points off turnovers Monday at Whalen Gymnasium

Snowstorm moves through the areaThe season’s first big snowstorm causes problems for drivers and makes for a winter wonderland

The season’s first big snowstorm causes problems for drivers and makes for a winter wonderland

Photos: Singing with SantaSanta Claus makes his first appearance in Durango

Santa Claus makes his first appearance in Durango

Snow descends on DurangoForecasters say storm could dump 6 inches in Durango area

A fall storm that moved into Southwest Colorado Friday morning was expected to dump 6 inches of snow in the Durango area – more than weather forecasters had initially predicted.Snow started falling about 9:15 a.m. Friday and intensified shortly before 11:30 a.m., blanketing parks, vehicles and the hilltops overlooking the city. Roads became slick about 2:30 p.m. As of 4 p.m., the Durango Police Department had responded to six crashes, in addition to a few stranded motorists.U.S. Highway 160 at County Road 44 near Mancos Hill was closed from around 4 p.m. to just after 6 p.m. because a vehicle carrying an “oversized load” had spun out and blocked both the eastbound and westbound lanes, according to Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Lisa Schwantes.“Right now our officers are able to keep up with the crashes that are coming in,” said Cmdr. Nick Stasi, with the Durango Police Department. “As always with winter weather, we remind drivers to slow down and give extra space for the cars in front.”Snow started accumulating very fast as the day went on, making it “challenging for plow operators to keep up,” according to CDOT.

Southwest Colorado’s five major mountain passes were icy and snowpacked Friday afternoon. But all five remained open as of 4:15 p.m.The Pacific storm favored the southern and central Colorado mountains, said Dave Byers, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.“Durango looks like a 70% chance of getting 6 inches or more of snow by the end of tonight (Friday),” Byers said.He expected a half inch to three-quarters of an inch of moisture from the storm, which is up from the one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch that was predicted earlier this week. Meanwhile, the mountains could receive 1 to 2 feet of snow from the storm, he said.“In the last few days, it has really picked up,” Byers said. “The southern mountains are catching the brunt of it.”The snowy weather didn’t stop Liz Ferrill and her family from stopping by Cream Bean Berry for a Unicorn Sundae. “We thought it might be a festive way to celebrate,” said Ferrill, who was visiting from Snowmass, where the first snow occurred in September.For others, the snow provided the impetus they needed to swap out tires or purchase new snow tires. Andre Payne, a sales person at J/P Tire in Durango, said the phone began ringing shortly after 9 a.m. with people wanting to switch to snow tires.“We’ve been pretty busy,” he said.

It is not unusual for drivers to wait until they see the first snow and then want to swap out tires. The tire shop began advising customers to switch to snow tires about three weeks ago. Some people take the advice, other choose to wait.“We can always tell people what to do, but if you're not ready for it then you have to suffer the consequences of waiting two hours or maybe getting in an accident,” Payne said.Byers said Friday’s storm was the result of a southwest flow pulling moisture from Southern California, Arizona and the Gulf of California.As the moisture-laden atmosphere hits the San Juan Mountains, it wrings out the moisture, he said.Temperatures are expected to cool off as the storm makes its way out of the region this weekend. The highs this weekend will be in the upper 30s, and the lows could dip into the single digits, he said.“There’s still a northerly flow that is pulling cold air down out of Canada,” he said.Byers characterized Friday’s storm as a “shoulder storm” between summer and winter, but he said it is a sure sign that a regular track is settling in for Southwest Colorado.“We’re expecting regular storms … from now on, more into that winter pattern,” Byers said.Residents can expect mostly clear conditions through Wednesday, with clouds moving in the following day ahead of another storm that looks “very similar” to Friday’s storm, Byers said.shane@durangoherald.com; mhollinshead@durangoherald.com

Forecasters say storm could dump 6 inches in Durango area

PHOTOS: Turkey Trot returns to DurangoNearly 600 competitors ran before they gobbled down their Thanksgiving feasts on Thursday

Nearly 600 competitors ran before they gobbled down their Thanksgiving feasts on Thursday

PHOTOS: Durango faces Lutheran in 3A state football quarterfinalsDemons fall to Lions, 39-30, on Saturday

Demons fall to Lions, 39-30, on Saturday

PHOTOS: Fort Lewis basketball teams host doubleheaderThe men’s team beat Western New Mexico 87-68, while the women’s team fell in the final minutes to Northern New Mexico, 67-62

The men’s team beat Western New Mexico 87-68, while the women’s team fell in the final minutes to Northern New Mexico, 67-62

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Next ›

Conflicts over wolves mostly ‘social, governance issues’

‘When, in what areas can we recreate shared experiences’

Christmas goose isn’t only one getting fat

Loss of habitat greatest threat to hunting, not out-of-staters

Social media ruining Colorado politics. Can we log out?

In retirement, what to do with so many books?

Alzheimer’s moved up home deconstruction

‘Commodification of college campuses’

‘See bigger picture of our careless lives’

Pulling thistles, sowing hope

Ski resorts turn ‘blind eye’ to weed, alcohol use

Buck good reasons to give up House seat

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