Guest Columns https://www.the-journal.com/feeds/guest-columns/ 2026-09-08 03:26:07 -0700 en-us https://www.the-journal.com/articles/why-cant-the-county-fix-my-road-the-answer-protects-all-taxpayers/ As commissioners, one of the most common questions we hear from residents is, “Why can’t the county fix my road?” Sometimes the answer is simple: The road doesn’t belong to the county. Montezuma Count... 2026-09-04 05:00:00 -0700 c40b9c29-140f-4428-b318-777646ca106a https://www.the-journal.com/articles/to-our-readers/ A vibrant community depends on having trusted spaces where neighbors can discuss, debate and solve challenges that affect us locally and regionally. Over the years, and more recently, we have heard fr... 2026-09-02 05:00:00 -0700 931453fc-891f-49ea-8984-eae4ef02f09a https://www.the-journal.com/articles/youre-entitled-to-your-opinions-but-not-to-your-own-facts/ Fake news and misleading information rank among voters’ top concerns for this election season. For years, U.S. intelligence agencies have confirmed that Russia and China have targeted American electio... 2026-08-28 05:00:00 -0700 8f73b224-1629-44d3-aa8f-d3fcf5dab85b https://www.the-journal.com/articles/hollowed-out-healthcare-how-southwest-colorados-medical-landscape-is-changing/ Despite providing critical care to the largest share of Medicaid patients in House District 59, two of our region’s most important hospitals are now operating at a loss. At the same time, new federal ... 2026-08-23 05:00:00 -0700 42efcaf3-0cb9-4d3d-ab5d-0a5e782dcaf4 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/healthcare-costs-are-rising-where-coloradans-can-find-affordable-care/ Since Congress let ACA premium subsidies lapse and the One Big Beautiful Bill took effect in July 2025, nearly 5 million people lost private coverage in 2026 alone – the steepest single-year drop sinc... 2026-08-16 05:00:00 -0700 b2bd2b34-6734-48b1-ac88-9d4099017bb8 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/when-the-smoke-clears-southwest-colorados-wildfire-work-is-just-beginning/ When a wildfire is finally declared contained, most people breathe a sigh of relief. Families return home. Businesses reopen. The smoke begins to lift from our mountains. But in Southwest Colorado, we... 2026-08-14 05:00:00 -0700 46e293db-21b1-43f1-89c5-990c4b53afed 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/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/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/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/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/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/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/colorados-most-important-election-may-be-the-one-youre-skipping/ Every November, Colorado voters turn out in impressive numbers. Every June, a different story unfolds. Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans who faithfully vote in general elections never cast a ballot ... 2026-06-26 05:00:00 -0700 3135032a-c5be-4a9d-adf3-c26d3c748543 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/scott-bottoms-reclaiming-colorado-for-families-and-freedom/ I am running for governor of Colorado to reclaim Colorado from reckless spending, rising crime, failing schools, and out-of-touch elites who prioritize mandates and special interests over the freedoms... 2026-06-21 05:00:00 -0700 744de368-9646-441e-a8d2-54e1a7deebf2 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/barb-kirkmeyer-real-solutions-proven-leadership-for-a-stronger-colorado/ Colorado is one of the most beautiful places in America. From the ranches and farms that feed our communities to the mountains, rivers and small towns that define the Western Slope, our state is worth... 2026-06-21 05:00:00 -0700 bbc57c9f-39e9-49bc-8934-ff6c884721e8 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/our-wins-for-hd-59-and-advancing-affordability-in-southwest-colorado/ We brought real progress home to HD-59 this legislative session. I’m proud to share that 14 of my bills were signed into law. We also worked across the aisle, successfully passing seven bipartisan bil... 2026-06-19 05:00:00 -0700 97130b13-fdce-4401-a1b6-0cb3ddd2c721 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/understanding-who-does-what-a-lesson-in-municipal-county-and-state-responsibilities/ When residents have questions or concerns, one of the most common sources of confusion is determining which level of government is responsible for providing a particular service. In Colorado, responsi... 2026-06-17 05:00:00 -0700 7043b2a6-30dc-4f12-8b88-3459d53a949e https://www.the-journal.com/articles/phil-weiser-why-im-running-to-be-colorados-next-governor/ Editor's note: The Journal Editorial Board invited Democratic and Republican candidates for Colorado governor to submit guest columns for publication. Columns are published as submitted, subject t... 2026-06-14 05:00:00 -0700 340aed51-6d79-403d-9710-80f04f55962d https://www.the-journal.com/articles/michael-bennet-colorados-future-is-worth-fighting-for-together/ Editor’s note: The Journal Editorial Board invited Democratic and Republican candidates for Colorado governor to submit guest columns for publication. Columns are published as submitted, subject t... 2026-06-14 05:00:00 -0700 b51ac669-dcff-4fad-a635-cd8b73fe11fd https://www.the-journal.com/articles/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 Colorado and ac... 2026-06-12 05:00:00 -0700 2afe659d-5b2a-4956-a08b-ac3b760ce9e9 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/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 made a sim... 2026-06-10 05:00:00 -0700 3cfd9ef5-48d8-4dfa-8720-102b39f4c04d https://www.the-journal.com/articles/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 before stateho... 2026-06-05 05:00:00 -0700 c5cb0aa4-f85c-4f23-bf5d-dff8c3f57c4a https://www.the-journal.com/articles/no-one-should-freeze-to-death-the-bridge-shelters-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 2005 that... 2026-05-29 05:00:00 -0700 0cfbc062-871e-4405-ba53-bfe65565b549 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/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 natural stream b... 2026-05-17 05:00:00 -0700 2967b4f2-216f-42ac-91d3-e1339b1ecfbc https://www.the-journal.com/articles/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 next year’... 2026-05-15 05:00:00 -0700 8bcb5891-549d-4d3c-a7f4-ceed9a809ff2 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/legislative-sessions-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 of my tow... 2026-05-13 05:00:00 -0700 4d00833f-f38c-4a9f-b812-6cde29cb8524 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/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 federal governm... 2026-05-08 05:00:00 -0700 07e7735a-5cf1-41d7-bffb-ad1bb0ee73b8