Opinion & Letters to the Editor

Turner for commissioner
Opinion

Turner for commissioner

November 2, 2022

I am very excited to endorse candidate Jack Turner for county commissioner. Jack has done so much to understand the things that are needed to make this county run better.…

‘Focus on behaviors, not tweets’
Opinion

‘Focus on behaviors, not tweets’

October 31, 2022

As an unaffiliated (independent) voter, born in Colorado and raised by honest hardworking Republican farmers, ranchers and miners, I am continuously stunned and saddened by what has happened to the…

Boebert can’t give ‘freedom’
Opinion

Boebert can’t give ‘freedom’

October 31, 2022

As a boy in the early 1970s, I lived a bit in the Soviet Union. There, I saw many posters with an image of Leonid Brezhnev and “Freedom.” Now I…

Trump belittled Latinos ‘over and over’
Opinion

Trump belittled Latinos ‘over and over’

October 31, 2022

As a white guy, I’m elated that the Latino vote is being courted by the two players in our two-party “system.” I mean, gosh, Latinos are voters, too! In a…

‘A parroting of Republican blather’
Opinion

‘A parroting of Republican blather’

October 31, 2022

Two letters in late September just parroted Republican blather that in Orwellian fashion, turns everything on its head. Their writers would make great Kremlin spokesmen in their effort to defeat…

City lot ‘golden’ for parking
Letters to the Editor

City lot ‘golden’ for parking

October 31, 2022

You now have a golden opportunity! Please, consider taking advantage of this gift. The city-owned property on the corner of Camino Del Rio and College Drive now leased to the…

Vote Shaw on agriculture
Letters to the Editor

Vote Shaw on agriculture

October 31, 2022

State Rep. Barbara McLachlan has been promoting her support for farmers and ranchers. However, her voting record paints a different picture. In 2021, she voted for SB21-087 (Agricultural Worker’s Rights),…

‘Yes’ to retain Judge Woods
Opinion

‘Yes’ to retain Judge Woods

October 31, 2022

Wow. In 27 years of living in Durango, I’ve thankfully not witnessed such vitriol tossed around as what is currently happening in the case of Judge Anne Woods. I do…

‘Griswold deserves reelection’
Opinion

‘Griswold deserves reelection’

October 31, 2022

Colorado’s outstanding Secretary of State Jena Griswold deserves our votes for reelection. Griswold’s accomplishments during unprecedented attacks on the integrity of our voting systems nationwide by reckless politicians have made…

‘Turner a refreshing choice’
Opinion

‘Turner a refreshing choice’

October 29, 2022

Independent Jack Turner is a refreshing choice for county commissioner. Born and raised in Durango, Turner is a businessman, a family man and brings a new perspective to the county…

‘Don’t be fooled by Ascent’s language’
Opinion

‘Don’t be fooled by Ascent’s language’

October 29, 2022

Appreciate the editorial from Wednesday. I speak for thousands of true public teachers across Colorado and the nation – with delight, relief and gratitude that the Colorado state board of…

Frisch will ‘foster civility’
Opinion

Frisch will ‘foster civility’

October 26, 2022

I was born and raised in Cortez and although I have not lived there for many years, I keep an eye on what is happening in my hometown. I was…

Medicare, Social Security at risk
Opinion

Medicare, Social Security at risk

October 26, 2022

Before you vote in the midterms, you should know that if Republicans take control of the House, they are planning to cut Medicare and Social Security. I am retired and…

Prepaid mail-in ballots worth it
Opinion

Prepaid mail-in ballots worth it

October 26, 2022

Mail-in ballots are a wonderful way to lower the barrier to voting. Sending them out with prepaid postage would be an affordable to way to lower it even further. Giving…

Griswold ‘get-it-done’ stateswoman
Opinion

Griswold ‘get-it-done’ stateswoman

October 26, 2022

Regarding Jena Griswold, our extraordinary incumbent secretary of state, I’m in favor of both more lengthy, well-documented letters to the editor and quick-read opinions. My bottom line – I fully…

Prop FF for students, food systems
Opinion

Prop FF for students, food systems

October 23, 2022

Many families are having a tough time putting food on the table, but the fact is that some Coloradans are more likely to experience food insecurity than others. A study…

McLachlan ‘makes lives better’
Opinion

McLachlan ‘makes lives better’

October 23, 2022

For anyone who prides themselves on voting for the person and not the party, there is no easier vote this election than a vote for Barbara McLachlan. She has been…

‘Naive fools’ may vote for Frisch
Opinion

‘Naive fools’ may vote for Frisch

October 23, 2022

Prior to my return to Grand Junction, I used to attend National Rifle Association board of directors meetings. One incident is relevant to Western Colorado voters: the resignation of John…

No on 2A, a ‘no-lose’ choice
Opinion

No on 2A, a ‘no-lose’ choice

October 23, 2022

Vote no on 2A. On the same day The Durango Herald supported taking money from the citizens and giving it to the city for housing, the Herald reported that the…

Nonprofits must ‘clean up’ trash
Opinion

Nonprofits must ‘clean up’ trash

October 23, 2022

I often fish the Animas River and returned to the river below the former transient/homeless camp at Purple Cliffs after more than a year of avoiding this section of the…

Boebert ‘accomplished nothing’
Letters to the Editor

Boebert ‘accomplished nothing’

October 23, 2022

It’s fun to watch Lauren Boebert on social media “Owning the Libs.” Turns out, that’s all she has accomplished – angry entertainment. She’s so busy opposing everything, she has accomplished…

Turner will ‘roll up sleeves’
Opinion

Turner will ‘roll up sleeves’

October 23, 2022

Jack Turner has been studying the issues and listening to residents from every corner of La Plata County. There is heartache and frustration countywide on many levels, ranging from permitting…

Boebert ‘a true threat’
Letters to the Editor

Boebert ‘a true threat’

October 21, 2022

U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert is all about “freedom.” But what kind of “freedom” does she stand for? Obviously, it includes the right for anyone to obtain a firearm of any…

Anderson endorsement ‘mystifying’
Letters to the Editor

Anderson endorsement ‘mystifying’

October 21, 2022

It is gratifying that The Durango Herald endorsed our excellent state representative, Barbara McLachlan. This makes the endorsement of Pam Anderson over Jena Griswold all the more mystifying. How anyone…

Fed ‘fueling the fire’
Opinion

Fed ‘fueling the fire’

October 19, 2022

The only thing the Federal Reserve can do to control inflation is to raise interest rates But this only reduces demand, which is not the problem we now have. Our…

Value democracy? Vote Frisch
Letters to the Editor

Value democracy? Vote Frisch

October 19, 2022

Democracy means freedom. The upcoming elections on Nov. 8 is a referendum for democracy. A democracy’s main characteristic is free elections. Despite 63 failed lawsuits, with the majority of the…

‘Community giveback’ with Aichele
Letters to the Editor

‘Community giveback’ with Aichele

October 19, 2022

One consideration missing in The Durango Herald not endorsing County Treasurer Allison Aichele is her community service. Our knowledge of this comes from working with Allison on the volunteer Durango…

‘Help Church continue fine work’
Letters to the Editor

‘Help Church continue fine work’

October 19, 2022

After 20 years of observing our neighbor and friend Clyde Church at work on a wide variety of projects, we support his re-election as District 1 county commissioner for a…

‘Vote no’ for Judge Woods
Letters to the Editor

‘Vote no’ for Judge Woods

October 19, 2022

La Plata County Court Judge Anne Woods’ retention in the 6th Judicial District is up for a vote. I strongly recommend that people read her judicial review and spend a…

‘Independents, look at facts’
Letters to the Editor

‘Independents, look at facts’

October 19, 2022

In Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, independent voters make up 43% of registered voters and hold the key to the election. Independents register that way for a reason – they make…