Letters to the Editor

Taxpayers should not fund Trump’s ballroom
Letters to the Editor

Taxpayers should not fund Trump’s ballroom

May 22, 2026

When President Donald Trump went on his destructive East Wing rampage, he reassured an anxious nation that his ballroom would not be paid for with $400 million in tax dollars…

Dougherty most prepared at AG debate
Letters to the Editor

Dougherty most prepared at AG debate

May 20, 2026

During the May 7 attorney general debate in Denver, I quickly observed that the responsibilities facing the next attorney general will be as serious as a heart attack, but only…

Executive experience matters in governor’s race
Letters to the Editor

Executive experience matters in governor’s race

May 20, 2026

There’s a writer on Substack, David Thielen, who explained the upcoming June primary decision for Colorado governor this way: “This race isn’t about ideology – it’s about competence. … On…

Colorado wolf recovery shows encouraging signs
Letters to the Editor

Colorado wolf recovery shows encouraging signs

May 20, 2026

After a challenging third year in Colorado’s citizen-initiated program to restore the gray wolf, some good news has finally arrived – particularly regarding the high number of pups that have…

Lot F should benefit the broader community
Letters to the Editor

Lot F should benefit the broader community

May 18, 2026

As the new Head Start nears completion, the question is how Lot F, the site of the old Head Start, will be used. This is a city-owned lot, and there…

Jodi Zuber brings trusted leadership experience
Letters to the Editor

Jodi Zuber brings trusted leadership experience

May 18, 2026

Jodi Zuber cares deeply about our community, and that is one of the many reasons I am proud to support her for the LPEA Board of Directors. I have known…

Jenn Jenkins puts community first
Letters to the Editor

Jenn Jenkins puts community first

May 18, 2026

As an educator, I believe in leading by example. Connection and kindness matter. We are fortunate to live in a small town where we see people we know at the…

LPEA needs practical energy leadership
Letters to the Editor

LPEA needs practical energy leadership

May 18, 2026

We need to elect new La Plata Electric Association board members, ones who will seriously consider the impact rising electric costs are having on families, seniors and businesses in our…

Phil Weiser for governor
Letters to the Editor

Phil Weiser for governor

May 18, 2026

Sen. Bennet is running in the Democratic primary for governor of Colorado against Attorney General Phil Weiser. Sen. Bennet questions Weiser’s ability to fight Trump, saying, “I understand that Phil…

CPW’s role under SB25-003 raises concerns
Letters to the Editor

CPW’s role under SB25-003 raises concerns

May 18, 2026

Colorado’s new firearm law, SB25-003, takes effect Aug. 1 and places Colorado Parks and Wildlife in charge of developing and approving firearm safety courses that will be required to purchase…

Voting alone will not stop fascism
Letters to the Editor

Voting alone will not stop fascism

May 18, 2026

The third No Kings protest in March was, from the perspective of its organizers, a huge success. Said to be, once again, among the largest protests in U.S. history, it…

Trump should undergo cognitive evaluation
Letters to the Editor

Trump should undergo cognitive evaluation

May 18, 2026

A respected psychiatrist recently educated me about a neurological condition known as “sundowning syndrome” in aging people. This mental weakness may indicate oncoming, or existing, dementia. It is a disturbance…

Weiser for governor, Bennet for senate
Letters to the Editor

Weiser for governor, Bennet for senate

May 18, 2026

Michael Bennet states that he can handle Colorado’s budgeting process because he did budgets while serving as superintendent of Denver Public Schools. He did, but Denver ended up in a…

Durango must take water conservation seriously
Letters to the Editor

Durango must take water conservation seriously

May 18, 2026

It’s encouraging that Durango is finally addressing water usage. I frequently eat out and socialize at local businesses, and it’s frustrating to see large glasses of water and pitchers of…

Attorney General Phil Weiser for governor
Letters to the Editor

Attorney General Phil Weiser for governor

May 18, 2026

The midterm primary is June 30, when U.S. Sen. Bennet and current eight-year Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser are on the Democratic ballot for governor of Colorado. I hope you…

Public education deserves Colorado-first leadership
Letters to the Editor

Public education deserves Colorado-first leadership

May 18, 2026

As a lifelong educator and former state representative deeply invested in promoting public education, I am saddened to learn that Sen. Michael Bennet’s super PAC has accepted millions of dollars…

Competence matters: Vote Luschen and Jenkins
Opinion

Competence matters: Vote Luschen and Jenkins

May 18, 2026

Competence matters. That seems like an obvious statement, but when you are talking about energy, it could not be truer. Competence is what is needed going forward so LPEA makes…

Southwest Colorado needs Riess at the Capitol
Letters to the Editor

Southwest Colorado needs Riess at the Capitol

May 15, 2026

I am proud to endorse Naomi Riess for Colorado House District 59. I have known Naomi for more than a decade, both as a client and as collaborator on planning…

Respecting different choices during state testing
Letters to the Editor

Respecting different choices during state testing

May 15, 2026

In response to the letter, “Opt-out students deserve better treatment,” (Herald, April 27), regarding the treatment of students who opted out of state testing, I would like to provide additional…

Historical comparison goes too far
Letters to the Editor

Historical comparison goes too far

May 15, 2026

The letter, “Remember the victims of 1776,” (Herald, April 22) certainly is not aging well. It identified British atrocities during the American Revolution, then appeared to indirectly smear alleged modern-day…

Reelect Luschen for LPEA District 4
Letters to the Editor

Reelect Luschen for LPEA District 4

May 15, 2026

In deciding who you will choose to elect for LPEA District 4 this month, please ask yourself: Will you vote to re-elect David Luschen, or elect John Purser for the…

Council should reconsider mayor pro tem decision
Letters to the Editor

Council should reconsider mayor pro tem decision

May 15, 2026

Over the past year, I have met one-on-one with all of our City Council members while advocating for better bike and pedestrian infrastructure. While I am not privy to internal…

Animas river trail should be the priority
Letters to the Editor

Animas river trail should be the priority

May 15, 2026

Although I agree the mall would be a great venue for indoor pickleball courts, I question the idea of the city footing the bill for such an endeavor. After all,…

How does anyone support jailing a child?
Letters to the Editor

How does anyone support jailing a child?

May 13, 2026

Under President Obama, annual deportations peaked around 400,000, without today’s expanded detention cruelty. Under Trump, deportations averaged 250,000, yet detention expanded, adding costly payments for unnecessary and often unconstitutional punishment…

Why leaving Tri-State made sense
Letters to the Editor

Why leaving Tri-State made sense

May 13, 2026

I am writing in response to John Purser’s letter (Herald, April 27) questioning whether LPEA’s departure from Tri-State will deliver the reliable, affordable power members were promised after Craig Station…

Zuber brings practical experience
Opinion

Zuber brings practical experience

May 11, 2026

We are proud to support our daughter, Jodi Zuber, for a position on the LPEA board of directors. Jodi brings something that truly matters right now: real-world experience managing budgets,…

Jenn Jenkins for LPEA District 3
Opinion

Jenn Jenkins for LPEA District 3

May 11, 2026

I have lived in Durango since 2006. During that time, I have worked with rural electric cooperatives across the country researching and sharing information about rural energy innovations. I met…

A vote of confidence for LPEA
Letters to the Editor

A vote of confidence for LPEA

May 9, 2026

Paying a utility bill to a monopoly provider can be frustrating, especially as the cost of living rises. That frustration might tempt you toward “change for change’s sake.” But as…