Fruita City Council Approves Eminent Domain Action
FRUITA, CO – January 21, 2025 – In a controversial move, the Fruita City Council has approved the use of Eminent Domain to seize portions of Bedows Reminisce Farm and another private property along 19 Road. This decision, based on speculative future plans rather than current conditions, threatens the livelihoods of local property owners and raises serious concerns about government overreach.
Despite 19 Road being classified as a Minor Collector, not a Major Arterial as the city claims, the council is proceeding with aggressive land acquisition that could have lasting impacts on the affected families and the community. Property owners are urging the public to stand against this unjustified taking and demand greater transparency and accountability from city officials.
Please contact City of Fruita and Mesa County elected officials to oppose this government overreach and support the preservation of our family farms: mbreman@fruita.org, ahancey@fruita.org, jpurser@fruita.org, jwilliams@fruita.org, amiller@fruita.org, rparrish@fruita.org, adowns@fruita.org, bobbie.daniel@mesacounty.us, cody.davis@mesacounty.us, jj.fletcher@mesacounty.us
City of Fruita's Final Offer: A Threat of Condemnation for 19 Road Expansion
Impacting Bedows Reminisce Farm: A Letter Threatening Eminent Domain Action
Important Update! City of Fruita Threatens Condemnation
Save Fruita Farms Update: City of Fruita Sends Letter to Bedows Reminisce Farms
We are deeply troubled to share that the City of Fruita has sent a formal letter to Bedows Reminisce Farms, seemingly in response to the farm’s decision not to sell their cherished land. Bedows Reminisce Farms, a family-owned dairy farm and a cornerstone of our community, has stood firmly in its commitment to preserving its agricultural heritage and resisting the pressures to sell its property for excessive urban expansion.
The City of Fruita is not fostering collaboration or seeking a mutually beneficial path forward; this move appears to intensify the pressure on farms East of Fruita that have already expressed their desire to stay rooted in the agricultural landscape.
At Save Fruita Farms, we continue to advocate for the protection of farmland and the rights of farmers like the Bedows family. We urge the City of Fruita to reconsider its approach and engage in open dialogue with the community and its farmers, respecting their choices and the values we hold dear.
We need your support now more than ever. Join us in standing with Bedows Reminisce Farms and all local farmers who are fighting to keep their land. Contact your city officials, share your concerns, and help us amplify the voices of those who work tirelessly to feed our community and preserve its natural beauty.
Stay tuned for updates, and thank you for being part of this crucial movement to save Fruita’s farms.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Let’s rally around the Bedows family and show Fruita and Mesa County decision-makers that we value our farms, our food, and our future.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
CONTACT ELECTED OFFICIALS: Demand they respect farmers’ rights!
https://www.fruita.org/citycouncil/page/city-council-members
https://www.mesacounty.us/departments-and-services/commissioners
JOIN US: Attend the next city council meeting and make your voice heard!
https://www.fruita.org/calendar?boards-commissions=98
https://onbaseep.mesacounty.us/OnBaseAgendaOnline
Transparency in Action: Building Trust, Protecting Farms, Empowering Community.
