3 days ago
Several resolutions passed against Karman Line Annexation
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The debate about whether the Karman Line Annexation in Colorado Springs should go through has made its way to southeastern Colorado.
Seven government agencies in the area have passed resolutions expressing their opposition to the annexation, which aims to add more than 1,900 acres into Colorado Springs city limits in an attempt to accommodate a growing city. Otero County Commissioners Ron Oquist and Tim Knabenshue's biggest concern is water.
'It what allows us to have agriculture, to have farming, to have ranching,' Knabenshue said.
Both are worried more housing in the Springs will mean less water to grow crops like watermelon in the Arkansas Valley.
'Some think they [watermelons] come from Safeway or King Soopers. They come from down in southeastern Colorado, down in the Arkansas Valley,' Oquist said.
But the group 'Yes on Issue One,' which supports the Karman Line Annexation, said there is not a lack of water, but water mismanagement, and they argue there will be plenty of water to accommodate the project. While no one from the group responded to FOX21 News's request for comment as of Monday, videos posted on the group's YouTube page show project leaders explaining why they think the annexation is a good thing.
'We can build into a community that supports the needs of the military, whether that's rental detached homes or specialized childcare and health care, to meet the military needs and civilian needs of our community,' said Kevin O'Neil, the Karman Line Managing Partner.
But Oquist and Knabenshue want to make sure they have a seat at the table, so the area they represent does not get forgotten.
'We're not against Colorado Springs and we're not against growth; we just want to make sure that we do it responsibly,' Oquist said.
In the end, the loudest voice will be the voters of Olympic City U.S.A. The special election for the Karman Line Annexation is set for June 17. Ballots were mailed out by the city on May 23.
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