FOUNTAIN, Colo.—A Veterans Affairs official toured land east of Fountain Tuesday that El Paso County has offered free of charge for a new veterans’ cemetery.
“It’s a signal that the VA is aware, the National Cemetery Administration is aware of the veterans’ concerns in this area, and we’re looking at ways those concerns might be addressed,” said Bill Jayne, VA cemetery development coordinator.
He toured the 400-acre parcel with county commissioners and an aide to Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo.
The site is appealing because the county has offered it to the VA at no cost, said Lamborn aide Dale Anderson.
The ranch land was bequeathed to the county several years ago and the commissioners decided last year to offer it to the VA.
The visit by Jayne follows a field hearing by Lamborn May during which VA Undersecretary William Tuerk heard from veterans in Colorado Springs about the need for a cemetery. The region’s only other veterans’ cemetery is Fort Logan in Denver.
Jayne said he is doing preliminary research on the site and much more would have to be done, including an environmental analysis, before any decision.
