What a difference eight years makes.
The Army’s formal permission to expand the Piñon Canyon training site, announced Monday, is a reflection not only of the tenacity of opponents but of changing times.
The Army came to the right decision, though was roiled by controversy.
It began in 2005 when the Army sought permission to acquire a large swath of land near Fort Carson to expand its training site.
The country was at war, and Army officials were adamant the additional space was needed to train soldiers for combat.
Those whose land the Army sought felt bullied and shut out of the process. At the time we hoped for compromise so the Army , and nearby landowners wouldn’t be so dreadfully impacted.
Fierce opposition bought enough time for changing military priorities and tight budgets, and the expansion is no longer needed.
Monday was a good day for neighbors of Piñon Canyon, some of whom have owned their land for many years. We’re glad Army officials saw fit to provide them a measure of certainty.
