House approves limiting Piñon Canyon expansion

DENVER - The House approved a plan Wednesday that would bar the state Land Board from selling or leasing property to the U.S. Army for expansion in Piñon Canyon.

The measure is an attempt to stop the Army from expanding its Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site in southeastern Colorado by protecting state land now used to fund Colorado's schools.

The bill heads to the Senate. It drew strong opposition from lawmakers who say the military needs more space to train soldiers to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rep. Sal Pace, a Pueblo Democrat who co-sponsored the legislation, called its passage "a victory for the private property rights of farmers and ranchers in southeastern Colorado."

"Prohibiting the state sale of school lands will prevent any further unwanted eminent domain grab of private lands, which would destroy an important and treasured way of life in southern Colorado," Pace said.

Rep. Wes McKinley, a Democrat from Walsh, said area ranchers currently raise more than 400,000 head of cattle.

The legislation also directs the Colorado Attorney General's office to fight any attempt by the Army to condemn any state land.