Opinion https://www.the-journal.com/feeds/opinion/ 2026-08-03 03:12:48 -0700 en-us https://www.the-journal.com/articles/southwest-colorado-needs-affordability-accountability-and-balance/ For more than three decades, I have worked with families, farmers, ranchers, property owners, small businesses and local governments across Southwest Colorado. I have helped people navigate land-use r... 2026-08-02 05:00:00 -0700 b8580df0-60d3-4914-a1c8-76bc93b032bf https://www.the-journal.com/articles/beware-the-dangers-of-gambling/ Gambling in the U.S. has become a real epidemic. It’s not enough to buy a lottery ticket or play roulette at a local casino; gambling has spread like wildfire through online betting. You can bet on al... 2026-07-31 05:00:00 -0700 b78d66a3-176e-41db-aa46-739a20f98832 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/biochar-demonstration-seeks-local-farmers/ Southwest Colorado farmers who wish to participate in a biochar demonstration at no cost should email NPI at npiinc2000@aol.com with their contact information, an indication of their willingness to pa... 2026-07-31 05:00:00 -0700 c5d3b3a6-f8f3-43b3-8434-01408551da12 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/editorial-cartoon-489/ ... 2026-07-29 05:00:00 -0700 8fbccd78-3f0d-46ce-8f30-d2eba38e6712 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/our-view-come-to-the-fair/ The Montezuma County Fair was born from the apple harvest. According to a 2021 History Colorado-funded study by the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project, fruit growers organized the first fairs in 19... 2026-07-29 05:00:00 -0700 b6c04287-ac79-4eeb-8ab9-1ff3a724f76a https://www.the-journal.com/articles/rep-hurd-answer-bears-ears-questions/ Congressman Hurd: Thank you for responding to my concerns about President Trump’s proclamations reducing Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments. I understand that these were presi... 2026-07-29 05:00:00 -0700 f0c7993a-97a4-446a-8f91-e18ac17455c6 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/candelaria-owes-sheriff-nowlin-an-apology/ Sheriff Nowlin is and has been a sheriff for the people. As a minority, I can say that the sheriff has won my respect and has always treated me with the same respect he gives everyone else. Sheriff No... 2026-07-26 05:00:00 -0700 e227acc1-c1f0-445a-9b70-e3cbea3d2410 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/its-time-to-create-new-water/ For decades, the West has debated how to divide the shrinking waters of the Colorado River. Every proposal asks who should receive less. We should be asking a different question: How can we create mor... 2026-07-26 05:00:00 -0700 a7eef6c0-64e6-4b29-9831-b52b5a77e226 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/big-ag-wants-to-overrule-your-vote-on-animal-welfare/ At Podunk’s Ranch, in Southwest Colorado, family tradition and a sincere commitment to sustainability stand at the heart of everything we do. A woman-owned farm, we are dedicated and responsible stewa... 2026-07-26 05:00:00 -0700 73933548-ceb8-4a96-8221-61364208f4c0 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/speed-bias-and-human-judgment-inside-the-leagues-ai-presentation/ Recently the Montezuma County League of Women Voters hosted a presentation on Artificial Intelligence by Ben Burkett. Ben audits large corporate accounts and uses AI daily, both at work and at home, t... 2026-07-24 05:00:00 -0700 bf6d408c-55fe-4479-b2a1-23acf7459611 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/our-view-kicking-down-the-barn/ “They took the land from the people,” President Donald Trump said last Monday as he signed proclamations shrinking Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments. “We’re giving it back.” ... 2026-07-22 05:00:00 -0700 f1cc24bb-2ac9-4432-a487-fce4f511cbfa https://www.the-journal.com/articles/editorial-cartoon-488/ ... 2026-07-22 05:00:00 -0700 20199a42-94e8-4d70-96a5-e558e68302ce https://www.the-journal.com/articles/protect-chaco-canyon-from-the-drilling-threat/ Chaco Canyon is under threat of drilling rigs in the very near future. For those who have visited – and those who haven't – once Chaco is invaded by drilling rigs, everything ancient, peaceful and bea... 2026-07-22 05:00:00 -0700 b9670576-9ab0-4530-9543-a7ae4b64a1eb https://www.the-journal.com/articles/naomi-riess-is-the-right-choice-for-hd-59/ I have known Naomi Riess for many years through our shared involvement in local community groups. She is thoughtful, prepared and effective. She listens carefully, communicates clearly and understands... 2026-07-19 05:00:00 -0700 4aa38fa5-3f28-443c-8362-1d9716201a3d https://www.the-journal.com/articles/protecting-southwest-colorado-wildfires-water-and-our-way-of-life/ After a record-breaking March that left much of our mountain snowpack depleted, forecasters predict June and July will be our hottest months of the year. With less snowpack comes less water flowing in... 2026-07-17 05:00:00 -0700 9d4d8527-4988-41e9-a5b9-263d01ba40ea https://www.the-journal.com/articles/editorial-cartoon-487/ ... 2026-07-15 05:00:00 -0700 366acf42-0264-4d39-9696-423ff8ce903f https://www.the-journal.com/articles/dont-listen-to-what-trump-says-watch-what-he-does/ I always wonder: Do young people read the newspaper or do they get their information from social media and their parents? Listen up, parents – make your voting children read this so they can make up t... 2026-07-15 05:00:00 -0700 b55449d2-19ab-4546-93e3-f1e5be389be8 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/our-view-thanks-to-polis-and-peters-clemency-needs-sunshine/ Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters’ belief that the 2020 election denied Donald Trump the presidency, and that her county’s voting results could prove it, rippled across the state and the country, h... 2026-07-15 05:00:00 -0700 26708c53-241c-4f04-a6e4-d4f8cc39a6fe https://www.the-journal.com/articles/after-decades-of-permitting-gridlock-congress-has-a-rare-chance-to-act/ America's energy permitting crisis has a number: 29 years. That's how long it takes, on average, to bring a mine online in the United States, longer than any country except Zambia, according to S & P ... 2026-07-12 05:00:00 -0700 d717b41e-4ae4-4465-8749-200acf728b2a https://www.the-journal.com/articles/after-fur-debate-gratitude-for-colorado-wildlife-professionals-remains-strong/ The March meeting of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission centered on proposed changes involving the sale of furs from legally harvested wildlife. In the end, the commission voted 6-4 to advance... 2026-07-12 05:00:00 -0700 9c9b9ec2-d367-4a6e-8c79-7f1356fb4a1c https://www.the-journal.com/articles/honoring-the-fallen-while-preparing-for-the-fire-season-still-ahead/ In Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District, wildfire is a fact of life. Every summer, communities across Western and Southern Colorado prepare for the possibility that a single spark can threaten homes,... 2026-07-10 05:00:00 -0700 c8768ffe-7a98-4c2d-8270-e95c13503768 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/colorados-elk-herds-need-your-voice-by-july-8/ Colorado’s world-class elk herd is in trouble. The BLM is proposing oil and gas leases on the Roan Plateau of 126,744 acres – in the heart of the finest and most critical elk habitat in Colorado. The ... 2026-07-08 05:00:00 -0700 5c7f5e56-1474-4ab4-9a5c-9e35faa10984 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/our-view-a-primary-of-extremes/ It’s the extremes in Colorado’s primary results that are attracting attention both within the state and nationally, involving both parties. At this writing, the Republican race for governor has not be... 2026-07-08 05:00:00 -0700 e9dbfa57-a2c9-42f5-bfc9-cf694fdce1c7 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/world-cup-fans-are-falling-for-americas-charms/ I just read an editorial by Jeff Bogle on BBC News that made me quite emotional. It shared tales of World Cup fans visiting our country and being gobsmacked by its many charms – from different cuisine... 2026-07-08 05:00:00 -0700 318577ab-899e-494e-b64c-11922893b160 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/editorial-cartoon-486/ ... 2026-07-08 05:00:00 -0700 bc4448a0-9362-4ae6-8d35-d8e6824b1e9c https://www.the-journal.com/articles/dont-override-voters-will-on-funding-colorados-roads-and-bridges/ Drive almost any highway in Colorado, and you can feel the problem in your hands. The wheel chatters over ruts, you swerve to miss potholes and you grip a little tighter on narrow, crumbling shoulders... 2026-07-05 05:00:00 -0700 8f8f9d26-ea20-4eca-b3aa-98082c991114 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/understanding-initiative-no-195-and-colorados-proposed-graduated-income-tax/ This November, Colorado voters will decide candidates and several statewide ballot measures. Colorado is one of 26 states with a referendum and initiative process. A referendum is a proposal submitted... 2026-07-03 05:00:00 -0700 e576b512-30c1-49da-b64c-3f6c3fe220ce https://www.the-journal.com/articles/editorial-cartoon-485/ ... 2026-07-01 05:00:00 -0700 77b5a852-3e3e-411d-8058-47c2aee0801c https://www.the-journal.com/articles/colorado-is-being-punished-for-being-blue/ In the June 17 Journal article titled “Montezuma County opts against issuing official emergency,” Commissioner Candelaria suggested the reason Colorado is not receiving federal funding is because the ... 2026-07-01 05:00:00 -0700 425c8fa3-d444-4927-b741-0441963f1a3c https://www.the-journal.com/articles/our-view-america-at-250/ Americans can struggle to grasp the reasoning behind the writings of the Founding Fathers after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which is celebrated this weekend. The debates about indi... 2026-07-01 05:00:00 -0700 59a108ae-8c89-415b-905f-2c1b2ba40c80