Since 1976, YouthZone has been a cornerstone of support for youth and families in Colorado’s 9th Judicial District. We’re proud of the reputation we’ve built in the last 50 years: meeting young people where they are and walking alongside them through life’s challenges. Today, one of the most pressing issues[Read More…]
Tag: Guest Column
HOPEWEST: Grief and the holidays
The holiday season is a time of celebration and togetherness, but this time of year can also be emotionally challenging for those grieving the loss of a loved one. “Grief is a natural and deeply personal process, and there is no right or wrong way to experience it,” said Lindsay[Read More…]
GUEST COLUMN: From the RBC Commissioners
Clarifying FEMA Public Assistance We’ve learned there is some confusion about FEMA Public Assistance and we’d like to offer a few clarifications. First, it’s important to understand that FEMA assistance is not guaranteed. The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) worked with Rio Blanco County and local[Read More…]
GUEST COLUMN: From the Meeker School District
District on track to pay off bonds early, opening discussion about use of interest revenue The specifics of this strategy are very complicated, but the summary is as follows: We are on track to pay off the elementary and high school bonds early. In the 2008 and 2018 elections, our[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS: The last laugh
Most of us are used to thinking of the above phrase in a negative way in a personal situation, as in “at least I got the last laugh.” Even now with such a thin line drawn between insult and compliment, such an old-time phrase can be the perfect way to[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS: What we should have learned from the Greatest Generation
The polarization across the country continues, especially as it relates to important issues that will affect the future health of children all over America. Blame it on the pandemic or blame it on the political climate that has prompted the newest increase of people who have turned a public health[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS: The color green
“Green, Green, they say, on the far side of the hill” is a repetitive verse in one beloved old folk song. It wouldn’t be surprising to hear it now, during the long recovery period predicted for the land traumatized from the Lee and Elk fires. The sight of the newest[Read More…]
YOUTHZONE — GUEST COLUMN
Special to the HT MEEKER | Back-to-school season is an interesting time in our communities. Transitioning between the long, empty days of summer and the shorter days of fall – which are packed with sports, extracurriculars, and academic obligations – can be positive for some and challenging for others. [Read More…]
HOPEWEST — GUEST COLUMN: Transforming fear into confidence
Special to the HT MEEKER | When facing life challenges related to aging, illness, or grief, it’s common to feel a sense of worry or uncertainty about what lies ahead. Navigating medical and daily needs can be overwhelming, and for some, asking for help may feel like you’re “giving up”[Read More…]
GUEST COLUMN: New water study adds further worries for water managers
A new study (Klavans, 2025) by climate researchers at University of Colorado Boulder adds further worries for water managers. The Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), which drives the delivery of moisture to the American Southwest, is locked in its “negative” phase. Those conditions result in persistent drought. The PDO is similar[Read More…]
LOOSE ENDS: Meeker Strong
Thank you, firefighters, firefighting support staff, as well as all the Meeker families and friends who are continuing to make sure Meeker, as well as the surrounding countryside, is on its way to recovery. The MEEKER STRONG support system remains. It is so great to see those caring acts of[Read More…]
GUEST COLUMN: HOPEWEST – Meeting you exactly where you are
At HopeWest, our work isn’t just about care — it’s about presence. That simple idea has shaped how we walk beside people through aging, illness, and grief for more than thirty years. When you or someone you love needs support, we take the time to understand what matters most to[Read More…]