From the State Senate https://www.durangoherald.com/section/columnists-from-the-state-senate/feed/ Stay informed with the latest breaking news, local stories, sports, business, weather, and community events from Durango, Southwest Colorado, and the Four Corners region. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:09:27 -0600 en-us 30 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/effort-against-416-fire-is-remarkable/ Sen. Don Coramdu1-i-syn The Gold King Mine spill and previous fires have honed the response team’s skills. These firefighters from all over have done a remarkable job. When you look at the number of homes in harm’s way, it is... Fri, 15 Jun 2018 23:41:19 -0600 6EBC6BA7-D6AF-05C6-E053-0100007FC3DF https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/coram-a-very-productive-71st-session/ State Senator Don Coram As I reflect back, I am very proud of my accomplishments during this session. Senate Bill 2, the Rural Broadband Deployment Act has been the foundation for the nearly 70 pieces of legislation I presented this... Sat, 05 May 2018 05:04:19 -0600 6B6484F1-2D3E-50D9-E053-0100007F114E https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/coram-being-responsible-with-our-water/ Senator Don Coram The wells, reservoirs and ditches needed to direct water for both agriculture and municipal uses have been a major feat of mankind. Many forget that the land we live on was once abandoned by civilizations because of... Sat, 21 Apr 2018 05:04:51 -0600 6A4FE7ED-8FB3-7DB2-E053-0100007FB4BB https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/coram-bringing-justice-to-the-victims-2/ Senator Don Coram This last Monday, the Senate was asked to consider expelling a member of our body because of allegations of sexual harassment. Justice for victims of sexual harassment is needed, but when the process is flawed, justice cannot... Sat, 07 Apr 2018 05:04:26 -0600 6931C4D7-5DD4-1D8D-E053-0100007FB1A4 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/coram-bringing-justice-to-the-victims/ Senator Don Coram This last Monday, the Senate was asked to consider expelling a member of our body because of allegations of sexual harassment. Justice for victims of sexual harassment is needed, but when the process is flawed, justice cannot... Sat, 07 Apr 2018 05:00:00 -0600 69FAA156-A90D-0296-E053-0100007F8869 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/coram-a-victory-for-rural-broadband/ Sen. Don Coramdu1-i-syn Not because they want to and not for after-school activities. They flock to the schools because they live in rural Colorado, and the only internet reliable enough to finish their work is at school. We have been... Sat, 24 Mar 2018 05:04:57 -0600 68191C88-0BFA-43A1-E053-0100007F70A4 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/coram-a-colorado-all-citizens-deserve/ Senator Don Coramdu1-i-syn It is also not often the FBI has to investigate crime in Montrose. This caught my attention, and that of other Western Slope legislators, and we are taking action. As many of you know, there have been... Sat, 10 Mar 2018 05:05:24 -0700 6700529C-0D32-6881-E053-0100007FCDFB https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/coram-keeping-our-children-safe-at-school/ Senator Don Coramdu1-i-syn I am not going to tell you that the state government can quell all of your fears. I will not propose legislation that I do not believe will pass or have little, to no, effect. I will,... Sat, 24 Feb 2018 05:04:43 -0700 65E81E83-0EF4-15BF-E053-0100007F8E93 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/coram-letters-and-calls-make-a-difference/ Sen. Don Coramdu1-i-syn Since my last column, I have received letters and calls all in support of Senate Bill 2 and rural broadband. Letters like those from Wayne and Chris outside Durango – who are trying to use internet to... Sat, 10 Feb 2018 05:05:39 -0700 64CEE1D6-6C76-3AFD-E053-0100007FCD79 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/coram-speaking-up-for-broadband-in-rural-colorado/ Representative Don Coram To start the year off, we successfully passed a bill that continues an interstate compact allowing nurses from neighboring states to practice in Colorado. Being surrounded by three other states, you can imagine how this is needed... Sat, 27 Jan 2018 05:05:26 -0700 63B1F266-C007-592C-E053-0100007FADD0 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/coram-informing-the-future-with-the-past/ Sen. Don Coram The answer is a good year. In my seven years, I have never had a bad one. I expect the same this year. Just like in life, the only constant we face in the assembly is change.... Sat, 13 Jan 2018 05:06:50 -0700 62A2E9A6-5141-2863-E053-0100007FBCB0 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/budget-hemp-and-broadband-dominate-final-days/ Senator Don Coramdu1-i-syn The only thing we are required to do is pass a budget. That has not happened yet. The sticking point seems to be that money was taken from the Hospital Provider Fee to go to the General... Sat, 06 May 2017 05:03:10 -0600 4EC8E5FA-9BFE-54DB-E053-0100007FE152 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/much-accomplished-remains-with-three-weeks-to-go/ Senator Don Coramdu1-i-syn In the past, I have seen that a bill will be run four or five years before it finally passes. The longest I remember was a driving while under the influence of drugs bill. Sen. Steve King,... Sat, 22 Apr 2017 05:02:14 -0600 4D76FE41-8E72-7F73-E053-0100007F98EC https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/budget-week-brings-long-days-hectic-schedule-to-legislature/ Coramdu1-i-syn It is too bad that some amendments to the budget can be so contentious that some members lose their civility. Before I address the budget, I would like to bring you up to date on a couple of issues... Sat, 08 Apr 2017 05:02:25 -0600 4C9D33E7-1F25-342E-E053-0100007F3C41