Columnists - The Journal

Inventing options: a path to mutual gain

For the past two columns, we have been looking at Principled Negotiation, a strategy developed by the Harvard Negotiation Project for handling situations when you find yourself at odds with ...

DATE: Oct 16, 2025 | CATEGORY: Lessons from the Sandbox

2026 legislative preview: Affordable homes, rural health care and community education

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, bu...

DATE: Oct 15, 2025 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Recognizing 65 years of the Peace Corps

As our nation prepares to celebrate 250 years since its founding, the nearly quarter-million individuals who served in the Peace Corps are preparing to celebrate a key milestone that was lau...

DATE: Oct 12, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Yin and Yang

DIAG 1 Yin and Yang walked into an Irish pub. “What’d ya have, laddies?” asked the bartender. Neither said a word. The bartender, who had sailed the world in the Navy and had a girl in ...

DATE: Oct 10, 2025 | CATEGORY: Chess Corner

Defending free speech means standing firm – even when it’s politically unpopular

The Founders may not have intentionally put the First Amendment first in the Bill of Rights, but they treated it as the foundation of self-government. Without the freedom to speak and publis...

DATE: Oct 10, 2025 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Focus on interests, not positions, to resolve conflict

This week, I’ll continue reviewing the four components of Principled Negotiation, developed by scholars at the Harvard Negotiation Project and presented in the book “Getting to Yes,” by Fish...

DATE: Oct 3, 2025 | CATEGORY: Lessons from the Sandbox

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

Close your eyes and think back to COVID-19 days – Do you remember the empty grocery store shelves? Your grandparents calling asking you to deliver food because Meals on Wheels couldn’t? Folk...

DATE: Oct 3, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Mr. Know-It-All: Secret shelter?

Citizens Bank demolition reveals Cold War secrets

DATE: Oct 2, 2025 | CATEGORY: Mr. Know It All

A kind of symphony

Black to move and mate DIAG 1 The Grand Swiss tournament, held in September, was one of the most important events of the year. Three of the world’s youngest grandmasters showcased thei...

DATE: Sep 26, 2025 | CATEGORY: Chess Corner

Why voters should pay attention and vote in school board elections

In November, voters living in the Cortez RE-1 and Mancos RE-6 school districts will vote to fill seats on their local school boards. Though congressional and presidential candidates get a lo...

DATE: Sep 26, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

What’s mightier than the sword?

The International Chess Federation’s Grand Swiss tournament qualifies the top two finishers for two of the eight spots in the Candidates Tournament. Eight players then compete for the chance...

DATE: Sep 22, 2025 | CATEGORY: Chess Corner

A budgetary crisis: What happened during the Special Session

Last week was a difficult week for Colorado – and for our country. The ache of gun violence is persistent nationally, and another school has been impacted by this inexplicable harm. Amid the...

DATE: Sep 21, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion