Columnists - The Journal

My New Year’s resolution: Lower the volume, raise the results

Every January, people make resolutions they half-expect to break. Exercise more. Eat better. Spend less time staring at their phones. Members of Congress don’t usually make resolutions in pu...

DATE: Jan 9, 2026 | CATEGORY: Opinion

What’s happening with Denver TV in Southwest Colorado?

Dear Action Line, Why does NBC from Albuquerque channel 12 have such horrible sound on all sports and TV shows like “Chicago Med,” “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.”? These shows com...

DATE: Jan 5, 2026 | CATEGORY: Action Line

The wizard

This December, Magnus Carlsen won both the World Chess Championship in Rapid and Blitz time controls. Rapid is a game played in 15 minutes with a 10‑second increment; Blitz, a game played in...

DATE: Jan 2, 2026 | CATEGORY: Chess Corner

Why some people brighten a room

The quiet power of optimism and the difference it makes

DATE: Dec 29, 2025 | CATEGORY: Lessons from the Sandbox

Building Cortez’s future together: Progress made and opportunities ahead

I want to wish everyone a joyous Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year this holiday season. As I reflect on 2025, I am pleased to share that despite significant cuts in grant fu...

DATE: Dec 26, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Stewart’s 2026 legislative priorities: EMS pay, jail safety, health care subsidies

We have less than six weeks to go before the 2026 legislative session, so I’d like to give an overview of my bills for the coming year. These policy proposals may look different by the time ...

DATE: Dec 19, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Take it

When you come to a fork in the road, take it “When you come to a fork in the road, take it,” Yogi Berra quipped. With this hint in mind, please try to find White’s winning move in this week’...

DATE: Dec 18, 2025 | CATEGORY: Chess Corner

Five mistakes that are sabotaging your weight loss

Are you putting in the work but not seeing the results you expected? You are not alone. Many people make these five common “wellness” mistakes without realizing they are slowing their progre...

DATE: Dec 17, 2025 | CATEGORY: Columnists

Tiny moves: White to move and win

“Tiny Tim, you mischievous devil,” snarled Scrooge. “Now, now,” chided the Ghost of Christmas Future from behind Scrooge’s chair. Playing black, Scrooge thought the game was won with his qu...

DATE: Dec 15, 2025 | CATEGORY: Chess Corner

Rep. Hurd, it’s time to introduce the Dolores River National Conservation Area bill

As County commissioners from Montezuma and La Plata counties with multigenerational histories in the Dolores River Basin, we have spent nearly two decades working together to address the com...

DATE: Dec 14, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

Making life less affordable, one hidden tax at a time

You know those streaming services that quietly raise their prices every few months, and suddenly you’re paying $49.99 a month to watch one show? That’s what a lot of Coloradans tell me their...

DATE: Dec 12, 2025 | CATEGORY: Opinion

The relationship bank account

Relationships can be tricky. Life often feels like it’s moving at breakneck speed, becoming more complicated by the day. People are stretched thin, pulled in multiple directions, and carryin...

DATE: Dec 10, 2025 | CATEGORY: Lessons from the Sandbox