Columnists - The Durango Herald

Local First offers free training programs for small businesses across Colorado

At Local First, we believe locally owned independent businesses are the backbone of Southwest Colorado’s economy and the heart of our community. Every day, we see the dedication, creativity ...

DATE: Aug 27, 2025 | CATEGORY: Local First

KNFRMST: Musicians, professors of punk

Punk’s not dead. While some may think otherwise, it’s never been dead. With the rise of “alternative rock” in the 1990s bringing punk rock into the living rooms, resulting in the jock and ch...

DATE: Aug 27, 2025 | CATEGORY: Downtown Lowdown

Wife’s view of herself shrinks

DEAR ABBY: About eight months ago, I stumbled on my husband watching online porn. He admitted to habitual use but said it was just a stress reliever and he would stop viewing it. Meanwhile, ...

DATE: Aug 27, 2025 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

Another family torn apart: The human cost of ICE in Southwest Colorado

In our quiet corners of Southwest Colorado, where families work hard, children play, and neighbors care for one another, there is a story that too many in our immigrant community have lived....

DATE: Aug 27, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Let’s be the kind of community that looks out for each other – and for the bears

If you’ve lived in Durango for more than a minute, you know we share our beautiful mountain town with some pretty wild neighbors – black bears. And while they’re majestic to see from a dista...

DATE: Aug 24, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Health insurance affordability is not just policy – it’s a deeply human issue

Colorado’s Western Slope faces a daunting health care affordability crisis as private insurance premiums for 2026 threaten to skyrocket. Preliminary filings with the Colorado Division of Ins...

DATE: Aug 24, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

How policy volatility could break America's power grid

America’s energy policy is starting to feel like a game of Calvinball – the anything-goes sport from Calvin and Hobbes where the rules change mid-play to favor whoever’s holding the ball. Th...

DATE: Aug 24, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Nephew jumps from frying pan into fire

DEAR ABBY: After their 25th anniversary dinner, my nephew “Will” was blindsided when his wife announced that she had never loved him and has been in love with her stepbrother since her teens...

DATE: Aug 24, 2025 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

Fail quickly – don’t wait to get started

Opportunities don’t stand still. By the time you’ve fine-tuned every detail, the moment may have passed. Some of the best ideas never see daylight, not because they weren’t strong, but becau...

DATE: Aug 23, 2025 | CATEGORY: From the Chamber

Senators’ sneaky attempt to end the Wolf Restoration Program

The Republican “Big Beautiful Bill” has suddenly left Colorado in a $1.2 billion deficit. This means that our legislators in the General Assembly are having to scramble to cut this amount fr...

DATE: Aug 22, 2025 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Unhealthy lifestyle needs adjustment

DEAR ABBY: I’m in a long-term relationship with an incredible guy I’ll call ‘Jerry.“ We both have grown children, his parents and family are amazing, and we all get along wonderfully. Jerry ...

DATE: Aug 22, 2025 | CATEGORY: Dear Abby

A reset for Durango Arts Center

The Durango Arts Center board has officially named Beth Lamberson Warren the new executive director. Warren follows a long leadership line since the 1960s when two community art groups merge...

DATE: Aug 21, 2025 | CATEGORY: Culture Gulch