The Pueblo Chieftain is reporting that Congressman Scott Tipton (R-Cortez) was successful in getting the ban on funding for expansion of the military’s controversial Pinon Canon Maneuver Site placed into the military construction budget. Consider this one very big win for the freshman Congressman. Getting the funding ban restored is a very big deal to voters, especially the ranchers in Southeast Colorado.

According to the Pueblo Chieftain, Tipton convinced a key appropriations subcommittee chair, Congressman John Culverson, to insert the ban into the military construction budget before it comes up in the full House Appropriations Committee for a vote.

Lon Robertson, the President of the Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition, told the Chieftain:

“That’s excellent,” Robertson said. “I know many people were calling Congressman Tipton’s office since last week to show their concern, but he clearly followed through and did what he said he would. That means a lot to us.”

For a freshman representative this proves how effective Tipton can be on behalf of his constituents in Washington. If Democrats have their way on redistricting, and the expansion area gets put into the same Congressional district as military-heavy El Paso County, opponents of the expansion would see their voice virtually disappear overnight in Congress.

This is a very big deal to folks in Southeast Colorado and they aren’t likely to forget that Tipton fought, and won, for their issue in Washington.

If Scott Tipton can protect the ranchers in that corner of the 3rd Congressional District, remind us what Sal Pace’s case is for election?