Columnists - The Journal

Why a National Conservation Area for the Southern Dolores River?

I’m writing to address the growing misinformation surrounding the proposed National Conservation Area for the southern Dolores River. As someone who has worked and lived in this area and who...

DATE: Jan 25, 2026 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Why Montezuma County commissioners structure their meetings the way they do

Montezuma County Commissioners often receive questions about the structure of their meetings. Residents who attend have sometimes expressed frustration with not receiving immediate answers d...

DATE: Jan 23, 2026 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Catching people doing what’s right

How noticing civility helps shape a better community

DATE: Jan 22, 2026 | CATEGORY: Lessons from the Sandbox

Those who bait

The alligator turtle lures unsuspecting fish into its jaws with its tongue, which looks like a tasty worm. As the fish goes for the bait, the turtle’s jaws snap shut and it’s the worm that g...

DATE: Jan 19, 2026 | CATEGORY: Chess Corner

Welcoming the 2026 legislative session amid federal Medicaid changes, water funding challenges

With the 2026 legislative session starting in just a few days, I’ve been making the most of my time with my family before heading off to Denver. I’ve also had a series of meetings with const...

DATE: Jan 16, 2026 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Something wicked

DIAG 1 In Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth,” Lady Macbeth drugs the king’s guards, allowing General Macbeth to murder King Duncan easily. Similarly, in this week’s position White removes Bla...

DATE: Jan 12, 2026 | CATEGORY: Chess Corner

What are those things on the U.S. Highway 160 west hillside behind the Holiday Inn parking lot?

Dear Action Line, Pray tell, what are these old structures behind the east end of the Holiday Inn parking lot on 160 as one leaves Durango going west? I’m thinking mini Stonehenge m...

DATE: Jan 12, 2026 | CATEGORY: Action Line

Time for a reboot

Why meaningful change in life and relationships rarely happens by accident

DATE: Jan 11, 2026 | CATEGORY: Lessons from the Sandbox

My New Year’s resolution: Lower the volume, raise the results

Every January, people make resolutions they half-expect to break. Exercise more. Eat better. Spend less time staring at their phones. Members of Congress don’t usually make resolutions in pu...

DATE: Jan 9, 2026 | CATEGORY: Opinion

What’s happening with Denver TV in Southwest Colorado?

Dear Action Line, Why does NBC from Albuquerque channel 12 have such horrible sound on all sports and TV shows like “Chicago Med,” “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.”? These shows com...

DATE: Jan 5, 2026 | CATEGORY: Action Line

The wizard

This December, Magnus Carlsen won both the World Chess Championship in Rapid and Blitz time controls. Rapid is a game played in 15 minutes with a 10‑second increment; Blitz, a game played in...

DATE: Jan 2, 2026 | CATEGORY: Chess Corner

Why some people brighten a room

The quiet power of optimism and the difference it makes

DATE: Dec 29, 2025 | CATEGORY: Lessons from the Sandbox