Columnists

Dear Abby

Siblings not interested in ‘party’ for dad

DEAR ABBY: My father was a terrible person. He was physically abusive to his wife and kids, and he sexually…

September 24, 2025

Opinion

Celebrating our students’ success: A closer look at student achievement

As we begin another school year, I would like to share the remarkable progress our district has made and address…

September 21, 2025

Opinion

Our vanishing culture of argument

A guy I knew in college once told me, as I struggled to make a point in a dorm lounge…

September 21, 2025

Opinion

Question 1A: Ensuring core services continue and our shared future thrives

Effective leadership requires adapting and being forward-thinking. We believe leadership in local government comes with the responsibility to guide our…

September 21, 2025

Dear Abby

Job change falls heavy on family

DEAR ABBY: My husband, “Andy,” and I have been together 25 years, married for 16. We have three kids ages…

September 21, 2025

From the Chamber

Celebrating our community: The ripple effect of recognition

Jeff Dupont One of the most powerful tools a chamber has isn’t a policy paper or a ribbon-cutting – it’s…

September 19, 2025

From the Humane Society

New Colorado law prohibits pets for sale in parking lots

As executive director of the La Plata County Humane Society, I’ve seen countless animals being given away in parking lots…

September 19, 2025

Opinion

How federal budget cuts are going to affect our community’s food security

Close your eyes and think back to COVID days – Do you remember the empty grocery store shelves? Your grandparents…

September 19, 2025

Dear Abby

Mom’s change in attitude stumps family

DEAR ABBY: My mom is in her early 80s. More and more often lately, she seems to be avoiding seeing…

September 19, 2025

Thinking Green

Roadless area protections removed

As overseer of the national forests, the Secretary of Agriculture recently announced her intention to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area…

September 17, 2025

Downtown Lowdown

Rockfest celebrates music community

Music scenes need someone to do the heavy lifting. That “someone” are first fans and musicians, second venue owners and…

September 17, 2025

Opinion

Autumn calls: Keeping up the fight for public lands

With the end of summer in sight and the beginning of fall in the crosshairs, hunters and many others are…

September 17, 2025

Dear Abby

New job requires people skills

DEAR ABBY: I’m a man in my early 30s who has made a career switch. My new field requires me…

September 17, 2025

Strength in Well-being

Give your gut a fresh start in just one week

Bloating, cravings, fatigue, even mood swings. Believe it or not, many of these struggles can be traced back to one…

September 15, 2025

Opinion

A budgetary crisis: What happened during the Special Session

This week was a difficult week for Colorado – and for our country. The ache of gun violence is persistent…

September 14, 2025

Opinion

On the ubiquitous rhetoric of, and short step between, hatred and murder

I am writing this on Sept. 11, 2025. Twenty-four years ago today, this country was attacked by radicalized terrorists. For…

September 14, 2025

Dear Abby

Husband protests wife’s financial planning

DEAR ABBY: I’ve been married for 19 years to my second husband, “Jack.” Our children are grown. When we met,…

September 14, 2025

What's Up Downtown

Win $50 for supporting North Main businesses

The Durango Business Improvement District works for Downtown and North Main District businesses. BID has a North Main promotion coming…

September 12, 2025

Creating Community

Grant will help connect people with services

If you are one of the cool kids driving around with one of the fun historic Colorado license plates, I…

September 12, 2025

Stewards of the Land

Sit spot in the ponderosa

Mount Sneffels is visible from the Top of the Pines recreation area near Ridgway. (Courtesy) It was mid-day at 8,500…

September 12, 2025

What's up in Durango Skies

Following one of the wanderers

This Jan. 2, 2010 image made available by NASA shows the planet Saturn, as seen from the Cassini spacecraft. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space…

September 12, 2025

Gulliford's Travels

Westward Wagons on the Oregon Trail

Communities along the Oregon Trail are proud of their history and tell those pioneer stories with signs, placards and murals…

September 12, 2025

Opinion

Do simple things well, to mow or not, and other retirement musings

To mow or not to mow. That is the question. Whether ’tis nobler to cultivate green, weed free space or…

September 12, 2025

Dear Abby

Cousin mired in miserable rough patch

DEAR ABBY: I love my cousin “Carly” like a sister. We come from a large family, and both of us…

September 12, 2025