Columnists https://www.durangoherald.com/section/columnists/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. Thu, 09 Jul 2026 21:05:05 -0600 en-us 30 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/protecting-southwest-colorado-wildfires-water-and-our-way-of-life/ Katie Stewart After a record-breaking March that left much of our mountain snowpack depleted, forecasters predict June and July will be our hottest months of the year. With less snowpack comes less water flowing into our rivers and reservoirs, drier... Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:03:57 -0600 915A0BFC-8EFF-4910-925A-E0A07B5E0361 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/fantastic-cat-is-having-a-blast/ What started as a one-off recording project has turned into a full-blown band. Fantastic Cat is not a group where the band supports one songwriter, rather it’s a group of songwriters and multi-instrumentalists whose collective cuts make up the Fantastic... Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:12:01 -0600 20FB4397-29C1-46CF-AD6B-6D697C4FE299 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/buzz-off-how-mosquitoes-find-you-and-what-keeps-them-away/ My kids’ favorite trivia question: What is the world’s deadliest animal? It’s the pesky mosquito that kills over 1 million people worldwide each year. Known as vectors, they transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue and West Nile, the latter being... Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:43:09 -0600 7A0AE4D2-5C37-4F43-A859-F374172B4970 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/new-law-reshapes-role-of-guardianship/ They say the third time’s a charm, and that is certainly true in the Colorado Legislature. After two recent failed attempts at passing revisions to Colorado’s guardianship laws, 2026 was finally the year for disability advocates to celebrate. Guardianship is... Wed, 08 Jul 2026 11:03:45 -0600 70F17E91-37F9-4FC1-A3FC-BD47EA5F5D6E https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/computer-repair-leads-to-upsetting-discovery/ DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my wife for three years. She asked me to fix her old computer. As I was doing that, I saw emails from her ex, “Doug,” dated a few months before our wedding. They... Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 E53444F5-EAC5-4ED2-939A-6291B47C69CC https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/world-cup-is-the-best-global-diplomacy-america-has-had-in-years/ Yes, I have been watching the World Cup games, though I must admit that I was often reading the paper while doing so. Soccer is still a bit of an enigma to me and to many fellow Americans, as well.... Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 D3E76550-1590-4A46-81C1-207F0B1B3651 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/what-do-i-say-to-my-relative-whose-son-struggles-with-addiction/ (Adobe Stock) Dear Rachel, How do I respond with empathy to a relative who shares about her adult son who struggles with addiction? In the past I have said things like “Oh I am so sorry.” This has been received... Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:30:00 -0600 BD21016D-7A87-4BCB-B50C-95D09AA3DC34 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/honoring-the-fallen-while-preparing-for-the-fire-season-still-ahead/ In Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, wildfire is a fact of life. Every summer, communities across Western and Southern Colorado prepare for the possibility that a single spark can threaten homes, businesses, public lands and lives. This year, that threat is... Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 51C0D873-A643-4B91-BA75-36E783DF069D https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/lack-of-intimacy-puts-marriage-on-ropes/ DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married 10 years. Before that we dated for several years. We have a wonderful relationship in many ways, but we’ve never had the kind of sex life I would prefer. For a... Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 B7B81719-98CE-4C0B-B182-647BD1FC0F11 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/whats-up-with-the-backward-sign-near-main-avenue-bridge/ This sign is more than just a historical marker;, it is part of the “moments” project created by Shan Wells in 2005. There are 11 of these around town, and they seek to place the viewer in history both literally... Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 3AE09BCF-6A91-4D49-A8B9-9B2B41C45CD5 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/a-duel-celebration/ Honor the past and present as we honor our state and country Fri, 03 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0600 8B397A4B-8D9B-4B96-9027-864C38E3FFF4 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/the-declaration-of-independence/ Editor’s note: Saturday marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Most of us know the preamble by heart – “We hold these truths to be self-evident” – and little else. That’s a loss, because the bulk of... Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 DC041C36-7DA2-452B-80F1-38EAF6C2A391 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/celebrating-250-years-of-the-american-experiment-and-defending-its-future/ The United States has long been described as one of history’s most ambitious democratic experiments – not because its democracy has been flawless, but because it rests on a bold proposition: that a diverse people can govern themselves through liberty,... Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 826D3BDE-E9E6-43DF-AE02-ED9E59783DE2 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/grown-sons-tell-dad-to-ditch-wife/ DEAR ABBY: My husband was married to a woman who lied to him about being pregnant. She wasn’t at the time, but she later became pregnant. They had two sons and divorced five years later. He never loved her. I... Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 7B07C02E-DAA7-4D60-B7EA-64F3E293A2B1 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/david-mayfield-parade-heads-to-dolores/ David Mayfield comes from a family bluegrass band. While the Ohio-based musician was reared on all the music that a person could dig on being born in the latter half of the 20th century – everything from radio-friendly folk to... Thu, 02 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 E3344166-E74D-415C-8D58-77ECDF38D040 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/its-a-wrap-3/ PlayFest 2026 Playwright Panel was held June 24 at Blue Rain Gallery. From left: Dan Lauria, John Farmanesh-Boca, Christian Missonak, Zoe Stanton-Savitz, and Richard Vetere. (Courtesy of J. Reynolds) PlayFest 2026 has come and gone. In less than a week,... Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:59:45 -0600 59E2B469-5912-470F-B31C-0CC34E379DDC https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/food-for-thought-on-the-fourth-of-july/ Sean Beckwith Durango Herald journalist. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)Jerry McBride If we want to localize it, my favorite food in Colorado isn’t an omelet or green chili or elk back straps. In mountain towns, there’s a 75% chance that the best... Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0600 E7D1FA5A-7D12-4EEA-BAB5-4D122A3EDEC9 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/sister-shows-true-colors-time-and-again/ DEAR ABBY: When I was 16 and my sister “Daisy” was 18, I found out she was in a sexual relationship with my boyfriend, “Tyler” (also 18). I broke it off. She then asked if I minded her dating him.... Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 63CFA0B2-48BE-4C0F-AE93-CECAB2E642B7 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/americas-national-parks-the-public-inheritance-no-billionaire-can-buy/ Jeff Bezos may have a 417-foot yacht and multiple private jets and mansions, but here’s something very special about America: I have a couple of summer retreats that he could never buy. One is a spot beside a glacier-fed creek... Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0600 1730E111-0C43-4EC7-B25B-211559B942A0 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/the-art-of-the-scorebook-makes-for-a-great-game-of-baseball/ FARMINGTON – There are several traditions within the sport of baseball that I genuinely enjoy. In addition to finding colorful and sometimes inappropriate nicknames for players, many fans—myself included—enjoy a box of Cracker Jack, a cold beverage, and a bag... Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:45:00 -0600 3B11A1E0-58E0-4CA4-9161-3C2414E34DEB https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/if-a-bear-can-get-in-a-can-what-can-we-do/ If your bear-proof can is difficult to open, or is broken so that it opens without operating the lever (or undoing the clips in the older style), you can call the city’s dispatch number at 375-5004 and it will get... Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0600 29A27BC9-4989-48DB-AC55-8C31488F3C23 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/hot-headed-grandson-pushes-grandmother-to-ground/ DEAR ABBY: My 20-year-old nephew, “Conrad,” has anger issues. His girlfriend recently broke up with him. He was upset and went to see his grandma, my mom. When Conrad pulled into her driveway, my mom’s boyfriend, “Rob,” was standing outside.... Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0600 75668E9C-D2D9-438B-B347-C79C69380BDF https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/frankly-speaking-bud-and-fran-franks-saying-goodbye-to-playfest-board/ Remember STEAM Park? Back in the teens, a group of civic-minded Durangoans developed a vision of a convention center that would include meeting and performance spaces for a variety of purposes. Known as the Durango STEAM Park Project, Bud Franks... Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:00:00 -0600 6480E769-E53F-4AD3-A80C-6D6A826D1473 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/remarkable-bumblebees-stir-up-a-buzz/ A bumblebee flies around lupine. Note the long tongue! (Courtesy of Kestrel Detweiler) Mary Grizzard First, though – a few basics. There are no generic bumblebees but rather over 250 unique species worldwide, with 14 recorded just in La Plata... Fri, 26 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0600 7CD38682-A114-4596-A731-878D97A7017A https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/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 branch of government does his office operate under?” –... Fri, 26 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0600 5A989B93-8E65-4C54-9232-7C793198C95F https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/fiance-tells-widow-no-pictures-of-late-husband-in-home/ DEAR ABBY: I’ve been a widow for nine years and just got engaged. When I asked my fiance if I could put a picture of my late husband in our new home, he became upset. He said he shouldn’t have... Fri, 26 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0600 7CA50401-4C44-457A-99B3-813ADE0D33AB https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/yope-drops-debut-album/ The Ohio Players. Goose. Mateus Osato. Those are a handful of bands or musicians the members of local band Yope toss out when asked about who influences them and what they listen to. Then throw in Snarky Puppy, Flatland Cavalry... Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:36:15 -0600 CF87C15A-2437-4168-9C8F-BA5513DE23B8 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/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 that should have been rebuilt... Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0600 AD50F26D-BB6F-4D68-AECB-32CE9D8A8C92 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/truth-emerges-after-two-decades-of-concealment/ DEAR ABBY: Years ago, my wife and I were separated. During that time, we still spent time together, had marital relations and went on many trips with our children. During that period, two people who were supposed to be my... Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0600 320DB111-5F9D-499A-94E2-E4B9EE2C49EE https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/please-re-leash-me-dont-let-me-go/ Between all the patchwork lands and rules in the area, you pretty much need to keep your dog on-leash. (Action Line) Hello Action Line, My understanding of the law round these parts is that in the city of Durango, a... Mon, 22 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0600 58DE35ED-64E2-4EF1-8A57-02CC3A7E376A