Colorado rejects limit on open-space land seizures
“A bipartisan group of Colorado senators rejected a proposal Tuesday to limit government seizures of private land for open space.
The bill would have prevented counties from using eminent-domain laws to seize private land for open space, parks, conservation or preservation of views.
The measure was inspired by a Summit County family that sold a 10-acre parcel on an old mining claim last year after a long court battle with the county. The county used eminent domain to acquire the parcel.
“Personal property rights are so ingrained in this country that we should never be taking land for open space,” said the sponsor of the measure, Sen. Larry Crowder, R-Alamosa.
A Democrat who voted against the proposal said it was too broad. “I think adequate due process is in place” to protect property rights against government seizures, said Sen. John Kefalas, D-Fort Collins.”
Wyatt, Kristen. Washington Times 17 February 2015.