Letters to the Editor https://www.the-journal.com/feeds/letters-to-the-editor/ 2026-09-10 08:56:46 -0700 en-us https://www.the-journal.com/articles/sen-simpson-endorses-riess-for-hd-59/ As a member of the Colorado Senate for nearly six years, including more than three years representing Senate District 6, I understand the challenges facing the rural communities of Southwest Colorado.... 2026-09-09 05:00:00 -0700 ca00399c-22ad-4cb0-ba0d-cc266bbdb002 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/dollys-generosity-touched-our-community/ Dolly Parton was a national treasure, and the news of her death Aug. 25 has brought tributes from around the world. A musical child prodigy encouraged by her mother, she frequently said that she wante... 2026-09-06 05:00:00 -0700 94656804-7ed1-4f16-b2ae-4c2b356c887c https://www.the-journal.com/articles/why-stop-at-hunting-i-want-a-right-to-ski/ My right to ski in Colorado ought to be enshrined in our state Constitution. As a native with ancestors born and raised in the Centennial State, skiing is my family tradition, my heritage, and thus it... 2026-08-30 05:00:00 -0700 2e8ffe4a-4ec2-4e60-ab55-e6ae91a3c932 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/neighbors-junk-costs-property-value/ I know this subject has generated strong feelings on both sides, but I wanted to share a real-time example. I’m getting older and having a hard time keeping up my property so it looks nice, healthy an... 2026-08-26 05:00:00 -0700 065fa0a3-274d-42a3-a9d8-c97e387debe3 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/why-was-esther-in-second-grade/ We found the descriptions of the Bluebonnet elementary school curriculum rejected by our school board curious. We particularly wondered why the story of Esther was chosen for second graders. This stru... 2026-08-26 05:00:00 -0700 db7263d0-edbf-45d4-930e-bf2513fef71d https://www.the-journal.com/articles/killing-young-wolves-is-not-conflict-prevention/ Colorado Parks and Wildlife has killed a second yearling wolf in less than two months, this one from the One Ear Pack, after livestock losses in Grand and Jackson counties. It forces a question: Are w... 2026-08-26 05:00:00 -0700 c97a1c98-aeec-44f2-9275-ab169fe5f2e0 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/neighbors-junk-desecrates-our-sacred-views/ To the letter writer defending countywide blight as a right (Journal, Aug. 12): When I moved to the Four Corners about 12 years ago, I sought a home with what I heard was the trifecta of natural landm... 2026-08-21 05:00:00 -0700 b4ee52a9-ac15-41ad-b6ec-78c5efc18eb9 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/let-the-blight-debate-come-out-in-the-open/ Props to letter writer Dave Sipe regarding his view on allowing the county visual blight to continue, “Leave County property rights alone,” (Journal, Aug. 9). And the same to commissioner candidate Ro... 2026-08-21 05:00:00 -0700 f082c8dd-789f-46b4-8fb3-ddc4a1cb05a4 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/suckla-endorses-naomi-riess-for-hd-59/ As the current state representative for neighboring House District 58, I know how important it is to elect leaders who understand the unique needs of rural Colorado. That's why I proudly support Naomi... 2026-08-19 05:00:00 -0700 5ab2c9c3-8e4d-4814-a995-407a9203aa88 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/tell-hurd-vote-yes-on-russia-sanctions/ The U.S. Senate just passed S. 5025, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act, by a vote of 86-11. It now heads to the U.S. House, and it needs to pass once congressional representatives return fr... 2026-08-16 05:00:00 -0700 3396e1ec-b6fb-4ae6-9220-1ac66e37a569 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/why-stop-at-a-constitutional-right-to-hunt/ If Colorado voters are being asked to put a constitutional right to hunt and fish into our state Constitution, why not a constitutional right to birdwatch? It is, after all, a traditional Colorado act... 2026-08-14 05:00:00 -0700 19ad30af-44d0-4f8e-acb3-7d907a279041 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/trump-loves-inflation-we-pay-the-price/ “I love the inflation.” – Donald Trump I used to buy a convenient six-pack of canned tomato sauce. Now it’s a space-saving four-pack at over the six-pack price. I drink a brand of coffee my relatives ... 2026-08-12 05:00:00 -0700 bb2b937a-e4db-427e-95b4-d586dc0e142c https://www.the-journal.com/articles/leave-county-private-property-rights-alone/ Where do we draw the line? Cars, dogs, guns, horses, pigs, kids – for the love of freedom, why should we worry about stuff on our neighbors’ property like old classic cars and other collectibles? Thi... 2026-08-09 05:00:00 -0700 ccc04601-3be7-42b4-8aa6-3fb9fed08135 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/cortez-community-shines-in-storms-aftermath/ Our home and neighborhood were hit hard during the storm on July 21. We were fortunate to have no home damage or uprooted trees, yet so many others did. We did lose a lot of tree branches and limbs. E... 2026-08-07 05:00:00 -0700 489940a6-3deb-453d-9401-01a1ba97574c 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/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/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/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/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/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/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/bennets-water-record-earns-southwest-colorados-trust/ Southwest Colorado is on the front lines of a historic drought. Farmers are forced to fallow fields, and towns are rationing water. Right now, Coloradans need a governor focused on solving problems al... 2026-06-28 05:00:00 -0700 e7bb414c-5d60-43c3-9c52-2d1123bc0484 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/weiser-should-remain-in-colorado-leadership/ Colorado voters will have to choose between Sen. Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser in the upcoming June 30 Democratic primary election for governor. It is important to understand the wei... 2026-06-07 05:00:00 -0700 682e0dff-c951-4809-a6ac-42330aab5470 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/at-the-grave-of-my-drill-sergeant/ At the grave of my drill sergeant at Arlington National Cemetery. I saw on the news that he had been killed while I was working out at the Durango Recreation Center. The reason it made such big news w... 2026-06-05 05:00:00 -0700 4abee5bc-28e2-419d-8bee-387dfa14727f https://www.the-journal.com/articles/southwest-memorial-deserves-community-support/ I was recently admitted to Southwest Memorial Hospital for medical care. I went from radiology to the emergency room to intensive care. While health care takes time, Southwest Memorial Hospital provid... 2026-06-03 05:00:00 -0700 070f6560-52e2-4aad-b65c-ab7588f5fe12 https://www.the-journal.com/articles/kelloff-puts-public-lands-at-forefront/ Alex Kelloff has been part of ranching and public lands for four generations. He and his family have lived, run cattle, hunted, fished and worked with local communities from Trinidad and the San Luis ... 2026-05-31 05:00:00 -0700 0b6032bd-ea19-4303-8885-db45b933b2be