Columnists - The Journal

From the mountains to the Capitol: Colorado kids need a champion for youth mental health

Colorado is a state that takes pride in its quality of life – our mountains, outdoor culture and thriving communities. But there is a quieter crisis that has been building in Southwest Color...

DATE: Jun 12, 2026 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Geothermal energy legislation moves forward with strong bipartisan support

For many Americans, Washington can feel disconnected from the challenges people face at home. Too often, political debates generate headlines but little progress. When I ran for Congress, I ...

DATE: Jun 10, 2026 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Pre-statehood water rights still govern Southwest Colorado water use today

With the celebration of Colorado’s 150th anniversary, we old water buffalos couldn’t remember – even though we were there – which water rights were diverting water in Southwest Colorado befo...

DATE: Jun 5, 2026 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Timeout, not cop-out

How to pause a heated conversation without abandoning the relationship Several years ago, a commercial featured a soap opera star dressed like a physician, saying, “I’m not a doctor, but I d...

DATE: Jun 3, 2026 | CATEGORY: Lessons from the Sandbox

‘No one should freeze to death’: The Bridge Shelter’s 20 years in Cortez

Homelessness in Cortez is not new. MB McAfee recalls that while growing up, it wasn’t unusual for several people to freeze to death in Montezuma Park every winter. However, it was a death in...

DATE: May 29, 2026 | CATEGORY: Guest Columns

Colorado lawmakers keep dodging debate over public stream access rights

It’s perplexing that preserving legal public stream access remains one of the most untouchable topics in the Colorado legislature. Our state’s constitution boldly proclaims that every natura...

DATE: May 17, 2026 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Colorado budget passes, but long-term fiscal imbalance remains unresolved

As the Second Regular Session of the 75th Colorado General Assembly winds down, the conversation once again centers on the state’s annual budget. On April 30, the General Assembly finalized ...

DATE: May 15, 2026 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Legislative session’s final sprint: Votes, signing ceremonies and upcoming town halls

This year’s legislative session ends May 13, and we worked through the weekend to get bills across the finish line. If you’d like to learn more about our work over the past year, come to one...

DATE: May 13, 2026 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Delivering reliable water for tribal communities in the West

In parts of the Upper Colorado River Basin, families still live without reliable access to safe drinking water. That’s not a resource problem; it’s a delivery problem. For decades, the feder...

DATE: May 8, 2026 | CATEGORY: Opinion

When conflict turns into avoidance

Editor’s note: This is the fourth segment of a five-column series. Life is all about relationships. That may seem simplistic to some, but think it through, and I believe you’ll find tha...

DATE: May 1, 2026 | CATEGORY: Lessons from the Sandbox

Keeping Montezuma County beautiful: A balance of policy and partnership

As Montezuma County Commissioners, we have heard our residents’ concerns loud and clear. Across the county, people are seeing an increase in trash, abandoned vehicles, and neglected properti...

DATE: May 1, 2026 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Wild hunting dogs

African wild hunting dogs are one of the most successful predators in the animal kingdom. Cooperation and coordination are the keys to their success. Because of their small stature, injuries...

DATE: Apr 24, 2026 | CATEGORY: Chess Corner