Durango Herald Opinion

Durango Herald Opinion With reasoned, informed debate and discussion, Durango Herald Opinion helps you keep your finger on the pulse of Southwest Colorado.

At the Durango Herald Opinion desk, we provide a forum for a diversity of expression and commentary on news and issues of the day. We wish to foster a climate in which debate about local issues and constructive change can occur. We aim to create a space on Facebook where readers can exchange intelligent and informed commentary that enhances the quality of our opinion pages. We value thoughtful com

ments representing a range of views that make their point with civility. A few things we won't tolerate on our Facebook wall: personal attacks, obscenity, vulgarity, profanity (including expletives and their substitutes) and commercial promotion. While most comments will remain posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderating decisions are subjective. We will make these decisions as carefully and consistently as we can.

Deadline today at 7 p.m. Visit https://www.lpcgov.org/services/elections/index.php for information."La Plata County vote...
11/04/2025

Deadline today at 7 p.m. Visit https://www.lpcgov.org/services/elections/index.php for information.

"La Plata County voters face a substantive slate of local and statewide measures this election. These decisions will shape the strength of our emergency services, schools, roads, and children’s access to food."

La Plata County voters face a substantive slate of local and statewide measures this election. These decisions will shape the strength of our emergency services, schools, roads, and children’s access ...

"Let’s assume all will be well, that those who would otherwise be unprotected in the bitter nighttime cold during the wi...
10/31/2025

"Let’s assume all will be well, that those who would otherwise be unprotected in the bitter nighttime cold during the winter months will have warm nights indoors. City Council was right to give the center an OK."

That Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s Parish Hall is the location for the overnight emergency warming center for Durangoans without a consistent roof over their heads is welcome. Located across the stre...

La Plata County’s first responders showed extraordinary teamwork and heart.
10/29/2025

La Plata County’s first responders showed extraordinary teamwork and heart.

The Friday-Saturday-Monday-Tuesday days of rain, which exceeded five inches and increased storage in Lemon and Vallecito reservoirs considerably, were an extreme event not seen since the mid-1980s. Cu...

"Colorado communities, including those in La Plata County, continue to demonstrate that intellectual freedom endures bes...
10/28/2025

"Colorado communities, including those in La Plata County, continue to demonstrate that intellectual freedom endures best when diversity of thought is met with trust in readers. The freedom to read remains, always, the freedom to think."

Occasionally, the Herald’s editorial board has a mea culpa to share. This one belongs to the libraries and librarians left out of the editorial about Banned Books Week (Herald, Oct. 22). La Plata Coun...

A library’s shelves may contain something to offend everyone. That’s not a flaw; that’s freedom.
10/26/2025

A library’s shelves may contain something to offend everyone. That’s not a flaw; that’s freedom.

Banned Books Week, observed Oct. 5-11, has come and gone, but its message deserves to linger. Across La Plata and Montezuma counties, public libraries continue to champion one of democracy’s core valu...

"The need for parks remains, particularly for children and families, but given current tax pressures, voters may reasona...
10/24/2025

"The need for parks remains, particularly for children and families, but given current tax pressures, voters may reasonably wait on 2B while approving 2C to establish Bayfield’s first-ever lodgers tax – laying the groundwork for balanced, long-term growth that helps the town retain residents, attract new families, and thrive in a rapidly expanding region."

Bayfield residents face two complementary ballot issues this November: Ballot Issue 2C, a proposal to establish a 4% accommodations (lodgers) tax, and Ballot Issue 2B, a 1% sales tax dedicated to park...

"Only the 181 eligible voters in Durango Hills can decide this issue. We encourage a “yes” vote on 6A to preserve safe, ...
10/21/2025

"Only the 181 eligible voters in Durango Hills can decide this issue. We encourage a “yes” vote on 6A to preserve safe, well-maintained roads and protect neighborhood value.""

Durango Hills residents have a significant measure on the November ballot – one that won’t raise taxes or increase the mill levy, but simply allows the Road Improvement District to keep the revenue it...

Protecting public safety and community well-being:"Readiness, response, and strong local capacity define community stren...
10/15/2025

Protecting public safety and community well-being:

"Readiness, response, and strong local capacity define community strength. Vote “Yes/For” 1A: La Plata County's 1% sales tax increase (Herald, Oct. 8), and 7B, the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District's 1% sales tax (Herald, Oct. 5).

The Durango Herald's editorial board recommends a “Yes/For” vote on LL and MM to secure the future of the Healthy School Meals for All program (Herald, Sept. 17)."

The floods in Vallecito, Pagosa Springs, Durango and across La Plata and Archuleta counties are a vivid reminder of why local government matters – and how essential well-funded public services are whe...

"With the 2026 legislative session a little over three months away, my work preparing new bills for next session is ramp...
10/14/2025

"With the 2026 legislative session a little over three months away, my work preparing new bills for next session is ramping up. I’d like to give an overview of what I’m building right now,..."

- Rep. Katie Stewart

With the 2026 legislative session a little over three months away, my work preparing new bills for next session is ramping up. I’d like to give an overview of what I’m building right now, but please k...

“The county makes a strong case for a 1-cent sales tax increase. La Plata County delivers across a wide range of mandate...
10/10/2025

“The county makes a strong case for a 1-cent sales tax increase. La Plata County delivers across a wide range of mandated services and citizen needs, and the Herald’s editorial board believes it should continue. Vote “yes” on 1A.”

- Herald editorial board

La Plata County’s leadership is asking voters to approve a funding source to sustain operations through 2026 and beyond. If passed, 1A would offset reduced natural gas revenues and state-mandated cuts...

"The Durango Herald editorial board strongly supports the City of Durango Issue 2A, Durango Fire & Rescue/DFPD Issue 7A,...
10/06/2025

"The Durango Herald editorial board strongly supports the City of Durango Issue 2A, Durango Fire & Rescue/DFPD Issue 7A, and Upper Pine River Fire Protection Issue 7B. La Plata County’s fire and EMS system is interconnected. Strengthening one district benefits the entire county."


La Plata County voters face a mix of tax measures on the Nov. 4 ballot (Herald, Sept. 23), proposed by the city of Durango, town of Bayfield, Durango Fire Protection District, and Upper Pine River Fir...

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At the Durango Herald Opinion desk, we provide a forum for a diversity of expression and commentary on news and issues of the day. We wish to foster a climate in which debate about local issues and constructive change can occur. We aim to create a space on Facebook where readers can exchange intelligent and informed commentary that enhances the quality of our opinion pages. We value thoughtful comments representing a range of views that make their point with civility. A few things we won't tolerate on our Facebook wall: personal attacks, obscenity, vulgarity, profanity (including expletives and their substitutes) and commercial promotion. While most comments will remain posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderating decisions are subjective. We will make these decisions as carefully and consistently as we can.