By Brian Ochsner baochsner@aol.com Like the California gold miners in the 1800s with a white-hot desire for the precious metal, local governments seem to have a fever to exercise eminent domain on as much property as the law will allow. By condemning and declaring properties ‘blighted’ or undesirable, cities have allowed larger businesses (such as Wal-Mart and other ‘big-box’ stores) to develop them for a ‘better use.’ Translated: More sales and higher sales tax revenues.

Think it’s not a growing problem, and it couldn’t happen to you in Colorado? Guess what - it already is. Here’s what led to the current situation.