Residents are breathing easier now that Colowyo Coal Mine will stay open after a nail-biting lawsuit that threatened 220 jobs.

The community is set to get back on track economically, and we have faith that consumer confidence will grow. We understand the uncertainty surrounding the lawsuit and the broader attack on our

natural resource-based economy makes residents leery about spending, but that lack of confidence has created a self-fullfilling prophesy. When we don’t spend, businesses close, government services are cut and our community doesn’t present a high-energy, positive vibe that so many young professionals are looking for.

Fear holds us back from growing as a community. It can stop us in our tracks and become a burden on our souls. It’s our expectation that Craig can move forward with a feeling of hope.

Dale Carnegie said, “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”

Some might say that a local restaurant closing after only 12 days of being in business is an indicator of a lagging economy in Craig, but we strongly disagree.

The decision to close Tamale Town was swift, and perhaps it’s because the owners were fearful of losing money. Yet just because the doors shut in such a short time doesn’t mean our economy is poor.

There will always be attacks on our industry, whether it be regulation, a lawsuit or an environmental group like WildEarth Guardians that wants to threaten our livelihood. That doesn’t mean we can’t go on living the good life, supporting our local businesses and investing in making our community one that residents believe in and in which people want to live, work and play.

We understand that, while some groups want to wage a “war on coal,” as many of our local politicians say, it should be their civic duty to lead our community into a positive light.

Craig and Moffat County can weather this war on coal. America can’t operate without coal mines.

We all need to focus on the positives that are happening in our town. ACT scores are up at the high school. Enrollment at Colorado Northwestern Community College is up.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement worked hard to protect Colowyo, and it now has until April to complete an environmental assessment for Trapper.

This is all great news for Craig. Let’s think positive and be a part of a positive change instead of being weighed down by the negatives.

Let’s come together and support each other, local businesses, our neighbors and our kids.