City unwisely abuses ‘blight,’ eminent domain
“An enhanced enterprise zone, or “blight,” is a powerful legal instrument that can revitalize an area. Used wisely, it can help restore a downtrodden industrial plant or a shuttered shopping mall. The Columbia City Council…
Residents’ fears of eminent domain are justified
“Local economic development interests, working primarily through the Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI), have asked the Columbia City Council to pass ordinances setting up an enhanced enterprise zone (EEZ) in Columbia. The rationale is to…
Owners of Westminster Mall sue city, saying it’s made property “unmarketable”
“The suit, filed Thursday, claims the city wants to demolish the 33-year-old mall and resurrect it as a retail, office and residential complex in order to increase sales-tax revenues. It is illegal under state law…
Curbing abuse of eminent domain
“We don’t, however, want to overlook the protections that House Bill 1107, signed by Gov. Bill Ritter on Wednesday, will offer against the conversion of farms into strip malls at taxpayer expense. The bill, sponsored…
Kelo Confined – Colorado Safeguards Against Condemnation for Public – Private Transportation Projects
Kelo Confined – Colorado Safeguards Against Condemnation for Public – Private Transportation Projects. McCormick, Michael. The Colorado Lawyer, March 2008 Vol 37, No 3 pages 39 – 48.
Land grab should be condemned
“If you really don’t mean to proceed with the case just yet, don’t file it,” responds Smith family attorney Bruce Smith (no relation), who has not yet seen the letter. “If you don’t need immediate…
Eminent Domain in Colorado Part I The Right to take Private Property
Eminent Domain in Colorado Part I:Â The Right to take Private Property This article provides a general overview of the procedural and substantive law of eminent do- main, the process by which one party condemns or…
Opening the Floodgates
“The Kelo decision opened the floodgates of abuse, spurring local governments to press forward with more than 117 projects involving the use of eminent domain for private development. Since the decision was handed down, local…
Public Power, Private Gain
“Colorado cities rarely if ever engage in the typical transfer from one owner to a specific private party. Instead, local municipalities try to cloak their condemnation in a mantle of semi-public use, like an arts…