The Army is expected to announce this week a plan to lease private property for the expansion of its Piñon Canyon training site.
Word of the deal, first reported Tuesday in The Pueblo Chieftain, provoked concern among Colorado’s congressional delegation, who have largely remained united in opposition to the Army’s site expansion in solidarity with the objections of many who live in the area.
“I am extraordinarily concerned about the Army’s plan to lease land around Piñon Canyon. I want to make it very clear that I will continue to oppose any expansion at the Piñon Canyon maneuver site, unless Southern Colorado farmers and ranchers can support the plan,” U.S. Rep. John Salazar said in a release.
U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and Mark Udall also objected to the lease.
Neither Salazar’s office nor an Army spokesman would confirm that Keith Eastin, assistant secretary of the Army for installations and environment, will announce a deal this week. Eastin is visiting Fort Carson on Thursday and Friday and has made additional time to meet with local stakeholders in the land-acquisition debate, said Dave Foster, an Army spokesman.
Sources identified the landowner who will lease property to the Army as Denver businessman Craig Walker, who owns 70,000 acres to the south of the training ground.
Doug Harris of Walker & Associates said there is no agreement at this time.
“Sen. Udall respects the private right a citizen like Mr. Walker has to engage the Army concerning his land, but there also is broader public accountability by the Army at stake. The Army hasn’t explained why they need this land,” said Udall spokeswoman Tara Trujillo.
The Army originally wanted to add 418,577 acres to the site. After lawmakers and nearby landowners objected, the figure dropped to 100,000 acres.
Walker’s land is contiguous in some places with the training site but also separated by property owned by others, Harris said.
Congress placed a moratorium on the Army spending money on the expansion. “This plan appears to be inconsistent with the congressional moratorium,” Bennet said.
