Pollution and air quality regulations should be standardized

As anyone who loves in or has visited Southwest Colorado knows, it’s truly a special place. This region holds deep significance to the Indigenous tribes who have lived here for generations, ...

The night before Cowboy Christmas

’Twas the night before Christmas here on the farm, not a creature as stirring out in the barn. The boots were placed by the back door with care at the hopes of not hearing mama holler, “No m...

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Hermosa Watershed Protection

December marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act and the Hermosa Creek Wilderness. Congress passed legislation at the end of 2014 that p...

What Westerners cared about in 2024

Writers on the Range, an independent opinion service based in western Colorado, sent out close to 50 weekly opinion columns this year. They were provided free of charge to about 150 subscrib...

Community collaboration essential for the Clean Energy Transition

Colorado currently ranks 12th in the nation for total installed solar capacity and seventh for solar jobs. The value of the statewide solar market is $8.1 billion and existing installed capa...

‘Community cats’ can use a little help in winter

Cats are incredibly hardy and resilient animals and many of them manage to survive and thrive on their own. During the winter months, our community becomes a tougher place for felines who li...

Colorado doctor finds hobby in photographing snowflakes

Each flake that tumbles from the sky this time of year is a one-of-a-kind

Records of 2024: Part 2

Please allow me to repeat myself, as I’ve said this before: If you are one of those people who claims no good music has been made since (insert year of your liking here) then you just aren’t...

Exes check in to new phase of uncertainty

DEAR ABBY: I was with my ex-fiance for 13 years. Not long after he broke up with me, I found myself going to meet him at a hotel. We have been seeing each other regularly, once a week at lea...

Art should inspire, be thought provoking, even shock, just not ridiculous

Right up front I need to say that I am not qualified to write about this topic. So, let’s get to it. I will boldly go where I should not. Not being qualified has never stopped me before. A b...

Does artificial intelligence change how we talk about rural America?

About a month ago, I was doing research for a story about school choice on multiple state ballots when I came across something that stopped me in my tracks. Unless you’re living under a rock...

Days Inn extreme makeover coming, but slowly

Dear Action Line: What is happening with the Days Inn on north Main Avenue? A January article said it had been purchased by Hansji Corporation in 2022, and that it was to be rebranded as...