DENVER-
Republican and Democratic senators on Tuesday united behind a bill backed by opponents of the proposed expansion of the Army’s Pinon Canyon maneuver site.
As ranchers and students watched from seats that rim the chamber, senators gave initial backing to the measure (House Bill 1069). It tells the Army that it can’t use eminent domain to acquire another 418,000 acres—or 653 square miles—to nearly triple the size of Pinon Canyon.
It must undergo another vote, as early as Wednesday, before it could be sent to Gov. Bill Ritter.
Sen. Ken Kester, R-Las Animas, said many of the families who live in the proposed expansion area have lived there for generations and have survived everything from the Dust Bowl to a blizzard that caused 10 foot drifts this winter.
“We want the nation to know we support our military and we will continue to support our military with food,” he said.
Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, unsuccessfully tried to delay implementation of the bill for five years, saying the Army needed more time to complete environmental studies to decide whether to acquire more land. Ultimately, he said the area’s ranchers might have to give up their land to provide the training that will give soldiers a “fighting chance” in battle.
“It’s too much too soon. It’s telling the Army they cannot have the land regardless of their need,” Morse said of the bill.
Republican Sen. Greg Brophy, a farmer from Wray, said farmers and ranchers are among the most patriotic Americans, noting that he often sees flags waving from combines. But he said the Army hasn’t proven that they need more land in order to train.
“If they absolutely had to have it I would give them my farm,” Brophy said.
Democratic Sen. Jim Isgar, a farmer and rancher in southwestern Colorado, said he thought the Army would need to train in a new way in order to fight terrorism.
“Last I knew neither al-Qaida or the Taliban had tanks,” said Isgar, who suggested the government focus more on gathering intelligence and training baggage handlers.
Others said the bill sends a negative message to the Army, which has begun adding 10,000 soldiers to Fort Carson and add the post is the largest economic generator in the state.
Tim Erickson, a rancher near La Junta and an Army veteran, said the Army already owns 25 million acres besides the public lands owned by the federal government across the West. He thinks it would make more sense to hold training in desert land already owned by the government where no one lives.
“The don’t have to play by any rules,” he said of the federal government.
