August 29 — October 11 2009

Featuring:

• Kaylinn Gilstrap

Eminent Domain is the power of the federal or state government to take private property for a public purpose, even if the property owner objects. The 5th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution allows the government to take property for public use, as long as the owner is "justly compensated".

In 1983, the U.S. Army acquired 245,000 acres in Southeastern Colorado to create its Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site. Approximately half the land was purchased from willing sellers and half was seized via eminent domain. Residents were forced to vacate land that had been in families for generations, some dating back to the Homestead Act of 1862.

In 2007, the Army announced a plan to expand the maneuver site by adding another 418,000 acres of private ranch land, part of a proposed 20 year phased-in seizure of 6.9 million acres. They maintain that the expansion is essential in preparing soldiers for current and future wars. In addition to displacing ranching families and depriving them of their lifestyle and livelihoods, the proposed expansion is a threat to several towns, and has grave cultural, historical, and environmental implications as well.

The Piñon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition is a broad-based group of business owners, teachers, students, ranchers, and elected officials which represents communities across Southern Colorado. Due to the tireless efforts of this united resistance, much progress has been made in curtailing the Army's advances. Municipal and county governments have passed resolutions against expansion, and there is a Congressional ban on funding for eminent domain acquisitions or expansion activities in Piñon Canyon through 2009. Despite these victories, PCEOC remains skeptical due to several broken promises in the past, and vows to continue the fight until the threat of eminent domain is truthfully removed and there is legislation permanently barring expansion.