A Veterans Affairs official took a tour Tuesday of land east of Fountain that is being offered as a site for Colorado’s newest veterans cemetery.

“It’s a signal that the VA is aware, the National Cemetery Administration is aware of the veterans’ concerns in this area, and we’re looking at ways those concerns might be addressed,” Bill Jayne, VA cemetery development coordinator, said in an interview.Jayne toured the 400-acre tract on Squirrel Creek Road east of Fountain with El Paso County commissioners and an aide to Rep. Doug Lamborn.

The site is appealing, because the county has offered it to the VA at no cost, said Lamborn aide Dale Anderson.

“None of the other sites are free,” Anderson said. “It’s obviously a benefit when the VA can find free land that meets the criteria, and that’s the advantage of the Kane Ranch.”

Alexander Kane bequeathed the land to El Paso County several years ago and county commissioners agreed last year to offer it to the VA.

“I’m thrilled they’ve determined that El Paso County is eligible for one and actually committed money for studies of where it should go,” commission Chairman Dennis Hisey said.

Hisey said the county’s 400 acres would be large enough for a vets cemetery, although Jayne wouldn’t discuss his analysis of the property.

“South Powers (Boulevard) extension would be reasonably close to that,” Hisey said. “While there’s not wonderful access (now), there will be in the future.”

Hisey said the VA might consider several other sites, which include two plots along state Highway 115 near Fort Carson and two sites near Interstate 25 about 20 miles south of Colorado Springs.

“The congressman is very pleased with the progress on this VA cemetery, because he’s been working on this for quite some time,” Lamborn spokeswoman Catherine Mortensen said.

She said Tuesday’s visit followed a field hearing Lamborn arranged in May so that VA Undersecretary William Tuerk could hear from veterans in Colorado Springs about the need for a cemetery.

The region’s only other veterans cemetery is Fort Logan in Denver.

Jayne noted it’s not unusual for the VA to analyze a site and then not proceed with the project.

“I’ve just been directed to do this preliminary research on this one particular site,” he said. “Eventually much more would have to be done before we would pick any one site, such as an environmental assessment.”

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Contact the writer: 636-0238 or pam.zubeck@gazettedev.gazette.com

President-elect Obama, right, hugs Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth, director, Illinois Department of veterans Affairs, following a wreath laying ceremony at the Bronze Soldiers Memorial in honor of Veteran’s Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008, in Chicago. Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS