Election - The Durango Herald

Ballots to hit mailboxes this week in La Plata County

Primary voters can weigh in on Lauren Boebert’s replacement, board of education

DATE: Jun 3, 2024 | CATEGORY: Local News

Colorado voters could be blocked from implementing ranked choice voting

Colorado may decide in November whether to move the state’s elections to a ranked choice voting system. However, a recent move by the state legislature could block or delay that change, even...

DATE: Jun 2, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

If voters adopt ranked choice voting, Colorado may prevent it from taking effect

Last-minute provisions added to an elections bill would create a major barrier

DATE: May 31, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

CU Board of Regents candidate withdraws

Kristine Sposato was one of two candidates seeking Republican nomination

DATE: May 30, 2024 | CATEGORY: Local News

Party representatives put election equipment to the test ahead of June 25 primary

La Plata County Logic and Accuracy test found machines compliant

DATE: May 21, 2024 | CATEGORY: Local News

Colorado voters will decide whether to protect abortion access in state Constitution

Initiative 89 would also lift ban on state dollars being used to pay for abortions

DATE: May 17, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Effort to protect same-sex marriage at the polls kicks off in Colorado

State Constitution still defines marriage as being between a man and a woman

DATE: May 9, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

How will Democratic candidates engage young voters this election cycle?

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet headlines meet-and-greet on Sunday

DATE: May 6, 2024 | CATEGORY: Local News

3rd Congressional District candidate Jeff Hurd visits Bayfield

Grand Junction attorney stopped by Chavolo’s Mexican Restaurant on Saturday

DATE: Apr 27, 2024 | CATEGORY: Local News

Marilyn Sandstrom memorial free library opens in Durango

Beloved community member died in 2021 at the age of 84

DATE: Apr 25, 2024 | CATEGORY: Local News

Youths could swing the election. Will they turn out to vote?

As young people grow disillusioned with national politics, some turn to local engagement

DATE: Apr 22, 2024 | CATEGORY: Local News

Ballot proposal to protect furnaces and gas stoves in Colorado is dead – for now

Political group did not file petitions by April 18 deadline to put measure on ballot

DATE: Apr 19, 2024 | CATEGORY: Regional News

Photos: Where there's smoke there's firefightersDurango firefighters take advantage of the old River City Hall building for training

Durango firefighters take advantage of the old River City Hall building for training

Photos: Durango plays Montezuma-Cortez in boys, girls high school basketballDurango girls and boys basketball teams defeat Montezuma-Cortez at DHS

Durango girls and boys basketball teams defeat Montezuma-Cortez at DHS

Year in photos: A look back at Southwest Colorado in 2024Each year brings some of the new and some of the old – breaking news and cherished traditions. It is the people, their emotions, different cultures and varied forms of entertainment that make for impactful images. Add to that Southwest Colorado’s gorgeous scenery, abundant wildlife and range of weather events, and you have the makings for stunning photos. We hope you enjoy Photo Editor Jerry McBride’s photos from 2024.

Each year brings some of the new and some of the old – breaking news and cherished traditions. It is...

Montezuma County DA Christian Hatfield charged with DWICharges come 16 weeks after crash near Farmington, New MexicoMontezuma County District Attorney Christian Hatfield was charged Friday with driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs 16 weeks after he crashed his SUV on U.S. Highway 64 outside Bloomfield.The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office charged Hatfield, 59, with petty misdemeanor charge of DWI and an open container in connection to the Aug. 30 single-car crash.The charges come after results from a blood test by the New Mexico Department of Health Scientific Laboratory showed alcohol and a drug in Hatfield’s body after the crash.

“The results show that at the time of the blood draw, which was approximately eleven hours after the time of the crash due to medical issues, were 0.05 g/100 ml of Ethanol and 0.04 mg/L of Zolpidem (Ambien). Both Ethanol and Ambien are Central Nervous System Depressants,” the law enforcement report states.Two vials of blood were taken from Hatfield at 1:33 p.m. Aug. 30, which was more than 12 hours after the crash occurred about 1 a.m. Those vials were received by the New Mexico Department of Health Scientific Laboratory at 10:26 a.m. Oct. 11, which was six weeks after the crash, according to records from the lab.An investigation into the blood warrant by The Journal newspaper in Cortez, Colorado, showed that the blood sample sat in a refrigerator at the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office until Oct. 3, because paperwork to send it to the state laboratory was not processed.“I think it’s a non-prosecutable case because of all the errors made by law enforcement,” said Arlon Stoker, a high-profile defense attorney secured by Hatfield to fight the charges.

The charges made by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office are “based on the observations made by law enforcement officers on scene and the presence of intoxicating drugs and liquors in Christian's blood,” according to the report that was given to The Journal by the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government.Amanda Lavin, legal director for NMFOG, assisted The Journal in accessing public records from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office in Aztec. The records had been redacted, leaving out Hatfield’s name and information about the blood warrant filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court.Public records requests by The Journal and the Tri-City Record went unresolved for 14 weeks.The Journal requested body camera footage and lapel camera video on Sept. 3.The Tri-City Record requested any and all warrants, investigative reports and laboratory reports as well as photos, lapel cam videos and dash cam videos on Oct. 23.On Dec. 9, Lavin made the same requests.

The Journal received access to photos and videos in an email on Dec. 19, and Lavin, after making a legal argument for unredacted information, received the full report Dec. 19 and was advised that charges would be forthcoming.The report detailing the crash states that Hatfield was found “unresponsive and barely able to stand” about 1 a.m. Aug. 30 near the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and County Road 5099.Investigators and medics noted a “pungent” odor of alcohol coming from Hatfield, and investigators found “an open 12-ounce can of Mexican Lager with residual liquid inside,” an “empty wine glass,” and a “bottle of Ambien prescribed to Christian,” according to the report.The affidavit for search warrant for blood submitted by sheriff’s deputy Avery Killifer states he had an “opinion that the defendant was driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance.” The deputy “placed the defendant under arrest” at the time, but Hatfield was taken to San Juan Regional Medical Center, because of “extensive injuries.”A summons was issued for Hatfield, and an arraignment is set for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 8 in Aztec Magistrate Court.

Charges come 16 weeks after crash near Farmington, New Mexico