Kennie Gyurman, above, was forced to sell 5,000 acres to the Army in the 1980s and is fighting to not lose more. The Army says it needs this Colorado land for maneuvers.
Posted on 11/06/2007 9:27:46 AM PST by BGHater
Plan to Take Land Spurs Debate On Patriotism, Property Rights
WALSENBURG, Colo. -- Herman Moltrer returned from Vietnam to be a cattle rancher on the broad shortgrass prairie that stretches as far as the eye can see in southern Colorado. The rugged work earned him a living and a little something extra for his soul, but now he fears he may have to sell his land, at someone else's price.
The U.S. Army wants 418,000 acres of private ranch land to triple the size of its Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, a training area considered suitable -- some would say essential -- for preparing American warriors to do battle in the Middle East and Afghanistan. The 1,000-square-mile facility would be 15 times the size of the District.
Several dozen ranchers and members of 15 county commissions that voted to oppose the project find themselves pitted against the Pentagon and Colorado business interests in a struggle over property rights, personal heritage and the contested priorities of national security.
Amid countless conversations around Colorado dinner tables about the potential for an economic boom or a government betrayal, experts on the environment, archaeology and paleontology are registering their concerns that the land will suffer. Both chambers of Congress voted against funding further work next year, one skirmish in a fight not nearly over.
Colorado may not be alone. Military planners foresee a need for 5 million more acres for training facilities by 2011.
In Piñon Canyon, where prehistoric dinosaur tracks lie near a surviving section of the 1800s-era Santa Fe Trail, the Army sees an opportunity when other training grounds are overtaxed by the demands of war. The move is also part of a long-term reorganization of the armed forces.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Kennie Gyurman, above, was forced to sell 5,000 acres to the Army in the 1980s and is fighting to not lose more. The Army says it needs this Colorado land for maneuvers.
He would have the only ranch around that used Bradley Fighting Vehicles to round up his herd every winter, but if the Army wants realism then having a bunch of livestock running all over the place would just add to it in my mind.
Beautiful country.
Why not suck up land in New Jersey or Kalifornia?
This is an interesting battle. I have been on the canyon’s email update list for a while. I own a large ranch in the area I acquired in the 80’s. At the other end of town they build a federal prison so my land has increased as the city has been built around it to support the prison. Guards, schools.
It is also, almost impossible to understand the effects and what is at risk. I have sent in my property location, etc and cannot get an answer so I am watching it.
I am not sure the reason with Ft Bragg in Texas was built for this testing why they are moving.
looks like crap to me
[”It’s rude. It ain’t right. It’s not American,” said Stan White, who could lose more than two-thirds of the 9,000 acres he ranches in Walsenburg.]
A ranch of 9,000 acres sounds big but it takes about 40 acres to graze one cow.
White Sands as well has desert conditions.
May I suggest glasses :)
We once had a desert phase in Ranger School to prepare us for battle in those climates. It took part in Texas, but that part of the course shut down in the 90’s.
Ft Bragg in TX?
It is beautiful country. You have to walk it, watch the sunset and sunrise, and see a billion stars at night to really appreciate it. It open, it clean and clear and crisp and it radiates freedom. You should go out there some time. I think you’d appreciate it more.
No impact area currently on Pinon Canyon
No impact area currently on Pinon Canyon
Back in the late 90s...I bought two acres west of Walsenburg...near the golf course over there. It was purely a investment thing...and I’ve noticed over eight years...out of 500 lots out there...there have been ten houses built. Maybe in twenty years...there might be interest...but there is practically no reason for anyone to move to Walsenburg, unless you really want no crime and to be left alone.
The interesting aspect though....is how much things have grown over 30 years. Colorado Springs and Denver are almost connected. Pueblo and Colorado Springs will be connected within ten years (I consider Pueblo to be the one town in America stuck in 1956). By taking this area...the Army is looking forward for the next 40 years. They know that this entire region will be developed...so its either now or never to acquire the property.
Over the next twenty years...Walsenburg will likely triple in size from the expansion and GI’s moving down to this area. That will be the next big change to expect.
BS, Let the army move its self down to the Mexican boarder, and kill tow birds with one stone.
A sunrise out my bedroom window:
sorry thats in NC. I was Navy. My dad ran a huge base in Texas in the 1970’s. Had a bunch of russian weapons and did war games all the time there.
The biggest limitation was water. The county has huge limitations on population vs water wells that could be built. About 18 months ago, after 5 years in the system, the county approved a new development (black canyon???) changing the water restrictions.
Will grow a lot more now. I was looking at putting in a retirement community so long term, maybe we can if the city council and surrounding areas get better with development.
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