The Colorado House stood with ranchers Friday in opposing the Army's plan to acquire 418,000 acres to expand a training site in Piñon Canyon.

Supporters said House Bill 1069, which received initial passage, signals the federal government to stop the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site expansion from wiping out Southeast Colorado's pioneer ranch families and cultural treasures - from irreplaceable dinosaur tracks to prehistoric rock drawings.

"We took an oath, each of us, to protect life, liberty and property," said sponsor Rep. Wes McKinley, D-Walsh, who represents ranchers in the sprawling grasslands where cows outnumber people 8-to-1.

"Every citizen in Colorado should be guaranteed in their heart that their government is going to protect their right to what is actually theirs," he said.

But critics warned the state was planting a big "Unwelcome" sign for the military that could jeopardize the future of Fort Carson, $1 billion in military spending and critical tank training for troops during wartime.

"Do we want to send a signal to the United States Army, 'Hey, we don't want you in Colorado?' asked Rep. David Balmer, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve. 'Why don't you go back to Texas where they do want you?' I think that's a very bad signal to send."

The Centennial Republican referred to Fort Hood in Texas, where 10,000 troops will be transferred to Fort Carson in Colorado Springs to train more than 100 miles south at the Piñon Canyon site.

The Army wants to enlarge the existing 250,000-acre maneuver site. The military hasn't obtained congressional funding to buy the land yet and Pentagon officials have stressed they want to avoid using eminent domain.

HB 1069 originally would have withdrawn state consent for the Department of Defense to condemn land anywhere in Colorado for military training. Such consent is routinely granted to allow the federal government to acquire land for post offices, courthouses, custom houses and National Guard arsenals.

But legislators agreed that the state has no authority to thwart the federal government's constitutional power of eminent domain.

Instead, lawmakers passed a narrow amendment that refuses to cede "exclusive jurisdiction" over the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site to the federal government.

By retaining some jurisdiction over the land, Colorado has leverage to influence development of the site, including restricting impacts on agricultural land, water or archaeological sites.

"This says to the federal government, 'We want you to deal with us,' " said Rep. Terrance Carroll, D-Denver.

Piñon Canyon training site

• The site: The Army's 250,000-acre Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site near La Junta is used to train soldiers stationed at Fort Carson, a little more than 100 miles away.

• The latest: The Army wants to add 418,000 acres to the site.

• Army's view: It needs more land for maneuvers, given the increasing number of soldiers at Fort Carson.

• Residents' view: The area's fledgling tourism industry will be hurt by the expansion, and remaining ranchers will be pushed out.

gathrighta@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5486