Local elections

La Plata County Commissioners

Elizabeth Philbrick to run for La Plata County commissioner

‘There's quite a bit of room for improvement available at all tiers of the government,’ she says

January 22, 2026 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

6th Judicial District

What to watch in 2026 for La Plata County

Elections, court trials, fights for social justice and ambitious redevelopments to shape the year

January 5, 2026 • Herald Staff Report

6th Judicial District

A look at the stories that defined 2025 in La Plata County

From wildfires to torrential rains, local happenings to national politics: Here’s what defined community conversations

December 31, 2025 • Herald Staff Report

Electricity production and distribution

Applications open Sunday for 2026 LPEA board election

Deadline to apply is March 21; four seats are open

December 19, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Election

La Plata County clerk plans to seek fifth term in 2026

Tiffany Lee cites election integrity, experience in reelection bid

December 15, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Election

La Plata County saw record turnout in off-year election

Voter participation hit 47%, reflects wave of civic engagement; mirrors national Democratic gains

November 8, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Bayfield

Bayfield lodgers tax proposal fails

La Plata County will continue collecting funds on behalf of town

November 5, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Durango Fire Protection District

Voters approve Durango Fire Protection District property tax increase

DFPD thanks voters for putting their trust in the department

November 5, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Bayfield

Bayfield sales tax hike defeated

Ballot measure 2B would have raised money for parks and recreation

November 5, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Local elections

Voters approve 1% sales tax increase for Upper Pine fire

Measure cruises to victory with 57% of vote total in La Plata County

November 5, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Durango School District 9-R

Incumbents cruise to victory in Durango School District board election

Petersen, Brown and Parmenter win in landslide

November 5, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Durango School District 9-R

Schools, taxes drive La Plata County voters on election day

Turnout on track to surpass clerk and recorder’s expectations

November 5, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Durango School District 9-R

Durango School Board candidate’s criminal history sparks concerns

Jody Trampp acknowledges past but says online claims misrepresent his record and character

November 1, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Ballot initiatives

22% of La Plata County voters have returned ballots

Clerk anticipates turnout to nearly double by end of election night

October 31, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Ballot initiatives

You had questions about La Plata County ballot measures. We dug up some answers

Voters will decide host of tax hikes, school board candidates Nov. 4

October 26, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Durango School District 9-R

Durango school board candidate deletes blog before seeking election

Pearl Stegner wrote extensively about DEI and flag policies before scrubbing website

October 14, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Durango School District 9-R

Durango school board candidates discuss flags, funding and politics at forum

League of Women Voters held event last weekend at VFW

October 14, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Bayfield School District

Four candidates seek three open seats on Bayfield school board

Two incumbents challenge two newcomers in at-large race

October 14, 2025 • Elizabeth Pond — Herald Staff Writer

Ballot initiatives

Durango fire district responds to opposition over proposed property tax increase

Pro and con statements published ahead of ballots being mailed

October 11, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Ballot initiatives

Upper Pine fire seeks sales tax increase on November ballot

1% bump would help with costs, paying firefighters livable wage

October 10, 2025 • Scout Edmondson — Herald Staff Writer

Ballot initiatives

La Plata County ballots are in the mail

Clerk and recorder predicts 40% turnout for Nov. 4 election: ‘But I might be surprised’

October 10, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

Local elections

What do you want to know about upcoming ballot initiatives in La Plata County?

Voters face several tax questions this November

October 7, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer

La Plata County Colorado

La Plata County officials discuss need for new revenue stream amid unsustainable shortfall

1% sales tax increase to appear on November ballot

September 25, 2025 • Christian Burney — Herald Staff Writer

Bayfield

La Plata County voters to weigh mix of sales, property tax hikes this November

From Durango to Bayfield, residents face several measures aimed at closing funding gaps and expanding services

September 23, 2025 • Jessica Bowman — Herald Staff Writer