Another Government Land Grab Battle Waged Against Property Owners In Colorado

Another Government Land Grab Battle Waged Against Property Owners In Colorado

Last week I traveled to the Bundy Ranch in Nevada to witness Federal Government Agencies bullying citizens over grazing land. These land grabbing issues aren’t isolated to NV as the government is stealing private land or closing off public lands from American’s across the country at a dizzying pace. A couple in Colorado are fighting with the local county trying to confiscate their privately owned property under eminent domain not because the county needs it for a road anything but because: the county: just wants it.

Eminent Domain Barrie Colorado

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. — “They’re spending us to death,” said landowner Andy Barrie.

He is not talking about property taxes, inflation or even the cost of skiing in glitzy ski country. Rather, he’s talking about the legal fight he and his wife have been waging to save their pristine piece of mountain property — with breathtaking views of Colorado’s high country — from being taken over by the county through eminent domain.

Their battle is a unique test of private property rights. Unlike in countless other cases, where local governments have used those powers to seize land to make way for a road or some economic development project, Colorado’s Summit County is using eminent domain to go after the Barries’ land simply because officials want the open space.
It’s a peaceful plot of land the Barries don’t want to part with. The Barries’ hopes are dimming. Asked if recent mediation pointed to a way for the Barries to keep the land in the family name and avoid eminent domain, Andy Barrie responded flatly, “No, they’re taking it.”

Further, they’re concerned that should Summit County seize control of their 10-acre tract, the county will simply trade the property with the U.S. Forest Service for valuable land closer to town.

“They collude together to basically screw up their citizens. … Sooner or later, we’re going to run out of money, but we wanted to fight the good fight and let people know our story and what their government is up to,” Andy Barrie said.

The Barries have spent more than $75,000 to date. The mediation judge recently advised them the financial figure could double in the coming months.

The Fifth Amendment states that citizens will not “…be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation”. Meaning the land taken must be used or disposed of in such a manner as to benefit the public welfare or public interest. The county has no intention of using the land for public use. We cannot let the government steal land from Americans. If they can take your land (property) they can take anything. Follow this story on the Barrie landrights page on FACEBOOK.

Also,
I Went To The Bundy Ranch Protest This Week-end & Liked What I Saw (11 Pictures)

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