About 200 people signed up for an online class this week on conflict de-escalation in protest spaces, sponsored by PIRAC, a local immigrant rights group. 

Some of us watched at home. Others attended group meetings at Community United Methodist Church or Pagosa Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (pictured).

Thanks to PIRAC for arranging and underwriting this helpful resource for all of us. 

Our representative in the statehouse, Katie Stewart, has drawn a Republican opponent for the November 2026 election. 

Naomi Riess is a land-use consultant in La Plata County. 

Looks like her key campaign issue is "less regulation."

This Durango Herald article gives more detail on her qualifications. 

Dwayne Romero, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. Jeff Hurd in November, met with about 15 voters on March 10 in Pagosa Springs. 

He outlined his background, which includes military service and stints on the Aspen City Council, Aspen School District Board of Education and the state economic development commission.

He also discussed the issues he plans to focus on in his campaign.

About 50 people turned out Dec. 15 for our Dem Club lunch on the future of public media. 

Tami Graham, executive director of KSUT, and Rick Holter, a local NPR veteran, discussed the challenging financial landscape now that the Trump Administration has defunded NPR and PBS. 

Graham gave an update on her recent trip to Washington for a hearing on a lawsuit challenging Trump's actions. KSUT, Aspen Public Radio and Colorado Public Radio are plaintiffs in the suit. 

The next lunch is Jan. 26th and will feature PIRAC, a local immigrant rights group.