GOP lawmaker raises stakes in Piñon battle

U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman says that legislation being prepared by Colorado Democrats to permanently prohibit the expansion of the Army's Piñon Canyon training area would severely undermine the future of Fort Carson, setting off a devastating economic ripple effect in the southern part of the state. Combined with recent actions by the state legislature and a lawsuit by nearby landowners, just the suggestion of a permanent congressional prohibition such as the one suggested by Reps. John Salazar and Betsy Markey could have a powerful psychological effect, Coffman said, giving Colorado an anti-Army reputation and encouraging other states to pony up incentives and lure the Army away. "If Congressman Salazar is successful, then it's a deal-killer. Then the Army does have to move," Coffman, R-Colo., said of legislation that Markey and Salazar say they'll soon introduce to finally put an end to the controversy over the training area's expansion. Piñon Canyon has been a flashpoint for controversy since the Army announced plans to expand the sprawling maneuver area — the second- largest in the country — by more than 400,000 acres. The proposed expansion later was scaled back to 100,000 acres, with the Army promising to acquire the land only from a willing seller or through a long-term lease...Denver Post