Guest Columns https://www.the-journal.com/feeds/guest-columns/ 2026-07-24 01:24:05 -0700 en-us 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-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/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 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/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 properties – and w... 2026-05-01 05:00:00 -0700 4051e8be-b3a2-4686-8d81-3a2dfcef0d27 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/who-is-government-panel-brings-public-service-stories-to-cortez-stage/ Perhaps the most famous quotation from a U.S. inaugural address is John F. Kennedy’s: “And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” It... 2026-04-24 05:00:00 -0700 08bf0a44-8bff-4de8-9860-1a92912c20df https://www.the-journal.com/articles/backcountry-turkey-hunting-and-the-roadless-rule-are-both-worth-protecting/ Twenty years ago, I had the privilege of first crossing paths with Durango resident David “Elkheart” Petersen at a public meeting of the Colorado Roadless Areas Review Task Force in Pueblo. David was ... 2026-04-19 05:00:00 -0700 045cf462-7fa1-4b6a-b649-f0f003b3e233 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/colorado-budget-cuts-will-hit-schools-medicaid-snap-and-rural-hospitals/ As I’m writing this, the House is hearing the “long bill,” which lays out the entire Colorado budget for the coming year. As many of you know, Colorado is facing a more than $1.5 billion budget defici... 2026-04-17 05:00:00 -0700 8b1743f3-f4cb-4dfe-b13f-7bf830e49f06 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/the-farm-bill-should-work-for-the-people-who-actually-produce-our-food/ In Washington, the Farm Bill is often treated like another large piece of legislation to negotiate, debate and delay. In Colorado’s Third District, it is something much more concrete. It is whether a ... 2026-04-10 05:00:00 -0700 206785c2-eb1b-4edb-a81b-6871fdb3a56d https://www.the-journal.com/articles/protect-our-public-lands-protect-the-la-plata-mountains-2/ Our beautiful area in the Southwest is graced with an abundance of public lands – places that are part of our culture and ingrained in the identity of the region. These spaces provide opportunities fo... 2026-04-01 05:00:00 -0700 02d08f51-093d-4efc-af2d-c1518d3d32e2 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/four-charter-questions-five-council-seats-your-cortez-voter-guide/ Cortez residents are voting April 7 to fill five City Council seats and decide four ballot questions that would amend the city charter. Cortez is a home rule city, giving residents significant autonom... 2026-03-29 05:00:00 -0700 810d4e16-f639-4d19-b410-5c9457575d6c https://www.the-journal.com/articles/protect-our-public-lands-protect-the-la-plata-mountains/ Our beautiful area in the Southwest is graced with an abundance of public lands – places that are part of our culture and ingrained in the identity of the region. These spaces provide opportunities fo... 2026-03-22 05:00:00 -0700 778a4f7a-7c5e-47df-b16e-962e8652c679