Wants focus turned to Fort Bliss
EL PASO, Texas (AP) -- Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison says she's talking to military leaders about "throwing in the towel" on expanding a Colorado training site and conducting more exercises at Fort Bliss in Texas.
The Army's plan to expand its Pinon Canyon site in southeast Colorado has encountered stiff opposition from nearby residents and elected officials.
Hutchison, a Republican, told KVIA-TV in El Paso this week that it's not worth fighting for the Colorado site when Fort Bliss and other posts have room.
Some southeast Colorado ranchers say expanding Pinon Canyon would take too much land out of agricultural production.
Two Colorado members of Congress have said they want to introduce legislation to bar the expansion. Gov. Bill Ritter plans to sign legislation barring the sale of state land for the site.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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