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Ft. Carson buffer zone expanded
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: KOAA
The buffer zone between Fort Carson and the Rancho Colorado area will grow with the purchase of land from current property owners. Money for the buyouts comes from the federal government, while the purchases were approved by the El Paso County Board of Commissioners. Rancho Colorado is on the eastern boarder of Fort Carson.
The county found out a few months ago that additional federal funding become available for the Rancho buffer zone project. Since then, staff has been working with willing sellers to begin purchasing additional parcels for the buffer zone. Neither county tax dollars nor the power of eminent domain will be used to acquire property for this project.
In 2005, Fort Carson began implementing a federal program designed to slow encroachment of development along its southeastern boundary in the Rancho Colorado subdivisions. The purpose of the program is to mitigate the impacts of Fort Carson’s operations on its neighbors and to protect Fort Carson’s continued ability to effectively complete its mission. The county purchased 40 vacant parcels in Rancho Colorado in 2006 and 2007.
“Fort Carson is one of largest employers in the state of Colorado and El Paso County and it is vital that we ensure that it is protected from encroachment,” said Chair Dennis Hisey.
