Columnists - The Durango Herald

Vote “against” 2A, Durango deserves a better solution to meeting municipal needs

Durango voters face an important decision: whether to support or oppose Ballot Issue 2A, which asks voters to extend the city’s half-cent sales tax. Despite strong support from Durango City ...

DATE: Mar 14, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Colorado is reviewing future energy plans

Every few years, Colorado utilities have to prepare a plan detailing their anticipated future electric generation sources. This Energy Resource Plan lays out a utility’s road map for how it ...

DATE: Mar 12, 2025 | CATEGORY: Thinking Green

Rabies: What La Plata County residents need to know

The most recent known case of rabies in La Plata County occurred in June 2023 when a bat found in a Durango home tested positive for the virus. While there was no direct human contact, expos...

DATE: Mar 12, 2025 | CATEGORY: From the Humane Society

Durango Contra Dance: No need to be a wallflower

Dancing is exercise. You put yourself on a dance floor and surrender your body to the sounds of the band or the D.J. providing the audio motivation for your movement, and unless you’re mimic...

DATE: Mar 12, 2025 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

Poem continues to resonate

DEAR ABBY: While doing some house cleaning, I came across a column of yours that I had clipped and tucked away. On one of the pages I had dog-eared was the poem, “Decide to Forgive.” I was s...

DATE: Mar 12, 2025 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

From goals to habits: How SMART goals can transform your health

The New Year is already in the rearview – are your health goals keeping up? I’ve heard the same thing repeatedly from clients: “I know what to do, but I just don’t do it.” Sound familiar? We...

DATE: Mar 10, 2025 | CATEGORY: Healing Nutrition

We didn’t start the fire – but what happens if someone does?

Dear Action Line: I can hear the wind howling now as I write this. Considering the warm weather we’re having, how is it looking for fire season? While you're at it, can you find out who ...

DATE: Mar 10, 2025 | CATEGORY: Action Line

On Tourism: ‘Locals’ are giving tourists a bad name

Tourism, a pillar of La Plata County’s economy, accounts for about 30% of local revenue, supporting thousands of jobs (6,566 at last count, per Region 9 Economic Development). Visitors injec...

DATE: Mar 9, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

An honor and a privilege to serve my home district and its citizens

It’s been a busy first month in D.C., setting up our office, assisting constituents, hiring staff, attending committee hearings, participating in floor votes, and so much more. I am proud t...

DATE: Mar 9, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

On Tourism: What is the Tourism Commission’s destination?

On March 11, Durango City Council will vote on a proposed “Tourism Commission” ordinance, the purpose of which is to foster the growth of tourism, enhance and expand the tourism industry, an...

DATE: Mar 9, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Halfway marked by bipartisan support, tribal collaboration and recognition

We’re officially halfway through the legislative session. I’m pleased to share my monthly update from the Capitol building. Every session, each legislator has the opportunity to introduce fi...

DATE: Mar 9, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Charles Hakes: Practicing astronomy in the time shift

Greetings, stargazers. Today we can all say a fond farewell to Mountain Standard Time while we spend at least the next few months living in the Central Standard Time zone. Or at least that i...

DATE: Mar 9, 2025 | CATEGORY: What's up in Durango Skies