Senator Ken Kester and Representative Wes McKinley are sponsoring legislation in the state house, HB07-1069, that would withdraw the consent of the state of Colorado to the Federal government's (Department of Defense, Department of Army, etc.) acquisition of property though the powers of eminent domain and condemnation.  As a lifelong resident of SE Colorado

the Department of Defense and Army's attempts to force property owners and other citizens off their land are more than unsettling.  There is no doubt in my mind that if the expansion were to go through our way of life, the history of the area, will go by the wayside.

The bill is getting set to be heard in the House State, Veterans and Military Affairs committee in the next two weeks.  In the weeks and days leading up to the meeting it will be important for you as a citizen to lobby committee members to understand how important this bill is to the people of SE Colorado.  Write them, email them, call their offices and encourage you family and friends who share your concerns to do the same.  It's important for the members of the committee to see that there are real people behind this who are passionate about their history, their land and their way of life.

 

The members of the House State, Veterans and Military Affairs committee and their office numbers are:

 

Chairman: Rep. Paul Weissman -303.866.2920       Rep. Cheri Jahn – 303.866.5522     

Vice Chair: Rep. Nancy Todd - 303.866.2919         Rep. Jeanne Labuda – 303.866.2966

                   Rep. Rafael Gallegos -303.866.2916     Rep. Kent Lambert – 303.866.2937

                   Rep. Bill Cadman - 303.866.5525         Rep. Larry Liston – 303.866.2965

                   Rep. Terrance Carroll - 303.866.2909   Rep. Kevin Lundberg – 303.866.2907

                   Rep. Edward Casso – 303.866.2964

 

 To reach them by mail at the Capitol use the following address:

 

200 E. Colfax

Room 271

Denver, CO 80203

 

To reach any House member by email use the following format:

 

FirstName.LastName.house@state.co.us

 

Thank you for your time and your concern in preserving the way of life for thousands of citizens in SE Colorado, and if you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to email me at representativemckinley@hotmail.com.

 Your Representative,

 Wes McKinley

Colorado State Representative (D-Walsh)

We could use a big turnout on March 6 at the State Capitol for the hearing on Representative Wes McKinley's bill to limit the federal government's use of Eminent Domain to seize ranchland for the Army's Pinon Canyon Expansion plan.  Lots of our rancher friends will be there and rumor has it that the famous Kim school bus full of students will be there.

When we get the exact time and place for the hearing we will let you know, here.  It will likely take several hours so it should provide some opportunity for folks to come and go throughout the day.