(Colorado Governor) Ritter says "no" to Army move (Eminent Domain)

[RamboLiberal]

Source: Denver Post

Even though he's not sure the state has the power to say "no" to the federal government, Gov. Bill Ritter today signed a bill aimed at stopping the Army from using eminent domain to expand a training site in southeastern Colorado.

Ranchers have mobilized to fight the Army's proposal to expand the Piñon Canyon maneuver site by 418,000 acres - or 653 square miles. That's nearly triple the land the Army now owns, and the expansion would swallow up dozens of ranches.

The Army still is studying how the expansion would be accomplished, but officials have said they can't rule out the use of eminent domain if the plans move ahead.

Eminent domain is the power to force a landowner to sell to make way for a project for the public good.

As ranchers, students and lawmakers looked on, Ritter said he didn't want the new law to raise expectations that the state could definitely stop the Army from forcing ranchers to sell. But he said it is a tool the state could use to help protect ranchers whose families have been living in the area since the turn of the last century.



Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_5810613

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

1. I am slightly encouraged, but why didn't he JUST SAY NO?

Argh, this issue is pissing off a lot of people, why the hell can they just grab the land for their latest rumored, alleged detention center?

MKJ

[Captain Angry]

2. They'll get their land.

As soon as somebody steps up that has land to sell at a major mark-up.

If they can't have the land by paying somebody off, they'll take it from somebody without the financial ability to challenge it.


As I understand it, Denver International Airport ended up where it is because the land it is on was conveniently owner by members of the city council at the time.

[LiberalFighter]

3. Have it in Wyoming or Utah