Lamborn to Head PCMS Task Force; Sends Letter to Governor Urging Veto

Washington, May 6 -

Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) announced today the formation of a task force to support the Army’s proposed expansion of the Pinon Canyon Maneuvering Site (PCMS) in Southern Colorado. The task force will seek to educate the public on the economic and defense benefits that would result to the state and the nation from an expanded PCMS.

Lamborn has also sent a letter to Governor Bill Ritter urging him to veto HB 1317, a recently-passed bill in the Colorado Legislature which would prohibit the Colorado State Land board from selling or leasing land under its control adjacent to PCMS to the U.S. Army.

"Coloradans need to know how much is at stake with this proposed expansion. Recent action by the Colorado Legislature attempting to thwart the Army’s ability to expand its Pinon Canyon Maneuvering Site reveals a profound and disturbing ignorance of the facts in this case. As a long-time supporter of PCMS, I welcome the show of support from other elected officials and community leaders who have stepped forward on this vital issue. I look forward to working with them to educate the public on the benefits of expanding the Army’s training site in Southern Colorado." – Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

A few of the facts about PCMS the task force will promote include:

• The Army’s proposed expansion-related military construction package is potentially worth more than $140 million to Las Animas County, with more than 100 new, full-time, permanent staff, resulting in a combined payroll and operations budget of $9 million a year.
• The bill jeopardizes future growth plans at Fort Carson. The Army had planned to bring an additional Brigade Combat Team with about 5,000 soldiers and support personnel to Fort Carson.
• The decision to bring those additional troops to Fort Carson now hangs in the balance, as the new Administration looks for ways to cut the defense budget.
• This bill is a slap in the face to the Army, and could cause Pentagon top officials to halt plans to bring the 47^th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) to Fort Carson.
• The Army has made its case to Congress that this expansion is necessary for properly training our troops who are fighting the ongoing Global War on Terror. Better training will not only make our troops more effective while fighting overseas, but will help keep them safer, and quite possibly save American lives.