Can A Previous Employer Make Extraordinary Attempts To Prevent Someone From Obtaining New Job?

I was fired from a job last March. Reasons given were completely false. Employer attempted to fight unemployment. When confronted that he lied, he backed down, allowed the unemployment. Now, when I am attempting to get a job in Colorado Springs, I am not even getting a callback on jobs advertised. I have copies of an email from job I applied for in August 2009. Potential employer states that someone from old job called him to tell him I was a troublemaker and not to hire me. With the Colorado Springs Manufacturing Resource Group controlling everything here, it seems I am being black balled in this area. I have many years of experience-proven with excellent references. This company is getting ready to put my family on the street if I don't get a job. Do I have any recourse here?