May 28th, 2008

Trailer residents facing eviction in Empire

From the Clear Creek Courant:

Chad Sessions is a lift maintenance supervisor for Loveland Ski Area. Dianna Sessions works at the Red Ram in Georgetown. The couple bought a trailer in Empire seven years ago in hopes of gaining enough equity to buy a house. They are like many other working-class residents who move to Clear Creek for recreation and to start a life. Many longtime county residents got their start in trailers, and many others continue to call them home — 345 homes, to be exact.

But this summer, Chad and Dianna might lose their trailer home. Two years ago, just as the couple were making the final payment on their loan, they received a nuisance citation from the town of Empire informing them that their trailer must be moved off town property in 10 days.

The citation was the couple’s first notification that they owned a trailer that sat on town property. Neither the Realtor that sold them the trailer nor the owners of the trailer park informed them of the land issues.

“I was shocked,” Chad said while sitting in his living room with his dog Shadow at his feet. “I would never have bought this place if I had known. I’ve been paying lot rent for seven years on an incomplete lot. Why is this my responsibility?”

Read the rest of the story here…

May 28th, 2008

CA voters face rent control and eminent domain

From the Denver Post:

SACRAMENTO—Barbara Gonzalez has lived in a two-bedroom duplex in northwest Los Angeles for 13 years, protected from the region’s soaring housing costs by the city’s rent-control ordinance.
But that could change, and Gonzalez could find herself paying hundreds of dollars more in monthly rent, if voters approve one of two property rights initiatives on California’s June 3 primary election ballot.

The measure that could affect Gonzalez, Proposition 98, is supported by landlords and business owners and contains a provision that would phase out local rent-control ordinances for apartments, duplexes and mobile home parks.

It also could make it easier for landlords to evict renters by eliminating tenant-protection rules. The ballot measure is opposed by renters groups, mobile home residents, senior advocates and some of the state’s leading politicians.

Read the full story here.

May 27th, 2008

Land for FasTracks Cheaper Under New Legislation

From Natalie Menten in Lakewood

Investments can be risky but would you expect to be paid only 50% if eminent domain is used to take part of your property?
In 2005, RTD got a law passed to do just that.

If RTD takes a portion of your property for FasTracks and the portion you keep increases in value or you benefit because of the transportation project, RTD may only pay you 50% of the fair-market value.

Read Natalie’s entry here…

May 27th, 2008

Why Do We Choose to Defend Liberty?

The following is a transcript from a speech given by Anthony Gregory of the Independent Institute in CA for the Libertarian National Convention this past weekend.

Among other things, he addresses why it is crucial to fight for and preserve property rights in the United States. Enjoy!

May 27th, 2008

Landowners’ Lament

From the Rocky Mountain News:

If you had to choose a single law that transformed the balance of power between private property owners and the federal government, it would be - hands down - the 1973 Endangered Species Act. Critics and supporters alike agree that it gives federal officials tremendous power to declare private property “critical habitat” and severely restrict what can be done on it - to the point of stripping land of significant value.

Read the full story here.

May 22nd, 2008

PRP in Rocky: Lawmakers Need To Fix Flaw in Condemnation Law

See today’s Rocky Mountain News for a great lead editorial calling on state lawmakers to require that “those enduring a property condemnation at least be compensated at the level they’re being taxed.”

At the Independence Institute’s Property Rights Project, we are working on model legislation that would help educate lawmakers about the need to protect property owners facing eminent domain for a public good, such as a road or other public transportation venue.

May 20th, 2008

RMN: RTD to Cut Lightrail and Bus Routes

RTD is proposing $4.1 million in reductions to bus and light-rail service in August in response to skyrocketing fuel costs and budget problems.

May 19th, 2008

RTD’s Offers Prompt Anger

From Kevin Flynn of the Rocky Mountain News:

Terry Smith and his business partner liked the old fixer-upper near the future light-rail station on Sheridan Boulevard near 10th Avenue. It had potential both business and personal.

Smith could live in it and be two blocks from the home of his disabled adult son, as well as on the doorstep of a regional rapid transit system. And when the market was right, they could scrape it off and build a fourplex for rental housing just steps from the train.

“We worked on this for eight straight months remodeling the bathroom and finishing a basement bedroom,” he said. “We actually had to power-wash the entire insides.”

What he didn’t know in 2005 was that it would be in the footprint of the station. Smith is among 15 owners of 21 properties RTD is acquiring through eminent domain for the West Corridor.
Keep Reading>>

May 16th, 2008

The Naive Light Rail Traveler

5280 Magazine did an interesting story this week on why light rail is not an efficient transportation method. In light of recent expansions for FasTracks, this short article provides an interesting look at what is to come for light rail passengers; especially if RTD continues to turn parking for light rail into transit oriented development.

“I’ve used Denver’s light rail many times…on weekends. Yesterday, I thought I’d test the weekday rail commute from Littleton to the office downtown. Maybe it’s the inreasing pain at the pump, or an effort to pollute less, but it’s crossed my mind frequently and I was going to check it out. No big deal. Right?” See the full story (complete with pictures!) here.

May 16th, 2008

Colorado Property Rights Coalition Rally

From Tom Wambolt, President of the CPRC:

Greetings:
The Colfax marathon will be run this Sunday from 7:30 a.m. until approx. 10 a.m. We have decided to hold a short protest rally during this event to let people know that we have not gone away and we are still fighting for our rights.
We will hold our rally from 7:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. on the southwest corner of Colfax and Pierce at the Rocky Mountain Volvo lot. While it would be nice if all could be there for the entire time, it would be helpful if you could drop by for a few moments and help hold a rally sign. It was reported that the media would be covering the marathon and it is possible that they could send out a small crew to our gathering.
Tom Wambolt, President
Colorado Property Rights Coalition