What is this blog about? The conservation easement scandal in Colorado has only vaguely captured the public’s attention since it started about 12 years ago (approximately 2005). Even though it affects every Colorado citizen, it is complicated and difficult to follow, and many news readers just gave up. Additionally, many newspaper reporters got the story wrong from the start, using the angle of the “Rich get Richer” to slant their stories against landowners, rather than understanding the real facts about the State abusing innocent – and frequently cash-poor –citizens.
When I mention our difficult, exhausting, and heartbreaking experience to friends, they respond with, “Oh, yeah, I saw that. But I didn’t understand what was happening.” Or, “I never heard anything about it,” or worse yet, “I knew you shouldn’t have gotten involved in that.”
I’ve created this blog to give voice to the long anguish of being swindled by the state of Colorado – they swindled me, Stan, and at least 600 other landowners. And it’s a swindle that’s never been rectified and it was perpetrated by people – the humans behind the big cloak called the State of Colorado – on other people. It was uncaring, indecent, and fraudulent.
Why does it affect you? Because it was a bait-and-switch program carried out by the State of Colorado, and it was unstoppable. If affects you for two reasons: 1) you are benefiting from land that we put into conservation easements that we never got paid for and you never paid a dime for; and 2) if the State of Colorado can swindle me and hundreds of other intelligent, hardworking, honest citizens they can swindle you, too. So far, they’re getting away with it.
Setting the record straight
This blog is dedicated to setting the record straight; to providing the backstory, the history, and the facts. I also want to report on any progress made to repair the harm done to so many. I can assure you, however, that nothing – no amount of “setting the record straight” or money – can ever undo the financial and emotional damage the victims have suffered.
Please be patient as I tell the long, complicated story in a serialized blog form. I want to tell it in a way that is understandable, and there are a lot of complicated facts. I chose to blog about it rather than put it in book form so that I can disseminate information more quickly. I can provide updates as news happens. Additionally, I want this to be an easily accessible repository of data for researchers, reporters, politicians, lobbyists, teachers, landowners, or citizens interested in the topic. I want it to be interactive, and I include links to many resources. I want no barriers to anyone in getting this information; therefore blogging seemed to be the best vehicle for these goals, and for easy sharing on social media. No one pays me to do this, so please be patient as I work out the kinks.
If you are a landowner who was affected by this, please share your comments and your emotional support for each other on this blog, and please send me your story and I will try to include it.
Blessings on you, readers! © Sharon Cairns Mann
When I mention our difficult, exhausting, and heartbreaking experience to friends, they respond with, “Oh, yeah, I saw that. But I didn’t understand what was happening.” Or, “I never heard anything about it,” or worse yet, “I knew you shouldn’t have gotten involved in that.”
I’ve created this blog to give voice to the long anguish of being swindled by the state of Colorado – they swindled me, Stan, and at least 600 other landowners. And it’s a swindle that’s never been rectified and it was perpetrated by people – the humans behind the big cloak called the State of Colorado – on other people. It was uncaring, indecent, and fraudulent.
Why does it affect you? Because it was a bait-and-switch program carried out by the State of Colorado, and it was unstoppable. If affects you for two reasons: 1) you are benefiting from land that we put into conservation easements that we never got paid for and you never paid a dime for; and 2) if the State of Colorado can swindle me and hundreds of other intelligent, hardworking, honest citizens they can swindle you, too. So far, they’re getting away with it.
Setting the record straight
This blog is dedicated to setting the record straight; to providing the backstory, the history, and the facts. I also want to report on any progress made to repair the harm done to so many. I can assure you, however, that nothing – no amount of “setting the record straight” or money – can ever undo the financial and emotional damage the victims have suffered.
Please be patient as I tell the long, complicated story in a serialized blog form. I want to tell it in a way that is understandable, and there are a lot of complicated facts. I chose to blog about it rather than put it in book form so that I can disseminate information more quickly. I can provide updates as news happens. Additionally, I want this to be an easily accessible repository of data for researchers, reporters, politicians, lobbyists, teachers, landowners, or citizens interested in the topic. I want it to be interactive, and I include links to many resources. I want no barriers to anyone in getting this information; therefore blogging seemed to be the best vehicle for these goals, and for easy sharing on social media. No one pays me to do this, so please be patient as I work out the kinks.
If you are a landowner who was affected by this, please share your comments and your emotional support for each other on this blog, and please send me your story and I will try to include it.
Blessings on you, readers! © Sharon Cairns Mann
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