Colorado House approves bill that would regulate fence construction on San Luis Valley ranch
Rep. Matthew Martinez, an Alamosa Democrat, speaks at the Colorado Capitol on Jan. 24, 2025. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)
The Colorado House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that would reign in expansion of a controversial fence in the San Luis Valley that locals say is an environmentally damaging infringement on their land access rights.
The chamber passed House Bill 25-1023 on a 45-19 vote that was mostly party-line. Republican Reps. Carlos Barron of Fort Lupton, Matt Soper of Delta and Rick Taggard of Grand Junction joined Democrats in voting in favor of the bill.
'This is not just a private property rights issue, but the land grantees also have rights associated with this. The counties have tried to get their hands wrapped around this and have been unsuccessful, so that's why we're bringing this bill forward,' bill sponsor Rep. Matthew Martinez, a Democrat from Alamosa, said.
Martinez ran the bill with Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, a Denver Democrat.
SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
It would require land owners to submit an application to their local government for large fencing projects that are at least 5 feet high and one mile long on Sangre de Cristo Land Grant properties. This would mostly apply to Costilla County.
Local governments could approve or deny a project based on the reason for the fence and how it would impact wildlife, ecosystem health and the local community.
The bill's goal is to halt construction of an 8-foot-tall fence on the Cielo Vista Ranch, which locals estimate is over 20 miles long and is nearly impossible for most wildlife to cross to access water sources and follow migration patterns.
'Wildlife herds are being separated and trapped in and outside of the property because of how high the fence is,' Martinez said during the bill's House committee hearing earlier this week. 'There's erosion that's causing new flood plains, sediment deposits in irrigation ditches and flooding out houses of locals.'
The ranch, which locals call La Sierra, sits on the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant. The land grant offers communal rights to graze livestock, hunt, fish, conduct religious ceremonies and gather firewood for descendants of Mexican settlers in the area. Courts have recognized an easement on the property because of its lengthy community use.
The ranch is owned by Texas billionaire William Harrison. He has previously said that the fence is necessary to keep out trespassers and contain his herd of bison. Locals also have keys to get onto the land through some gates in the fence.
But retired physician Joseph Quintana called the fence construction a 'four-year nightmare.'
'I am witness to the changing wildlife migration patterns, as the fence now forces animals to cross through my property to access water. The community is horrified and heartbroken by what the fence is doing to the wildlife. We are baffled that the ranch owner does not see what is so obvious to everyone else,' he said.
The bill, if passed, would go into effect July 1 and wouldn't apply retroactively to already-constructed portions of the fence.
Neither Harrison nor a representative for the ranch spoke during the committee hearing.
Attorney General Phil Weiser, a Democrat, testified in support of the bill and called the fence a 'wire grid' similar to one at a prison. Animals cannot get through the small gaps in the wires or jump over the top.
He said that because the property is subject to an easement and the fence is creating a nuisance, it is appropriate for the government to step in with legislation like HB-1023.
'This bill is not about limiting property rights for quiet enjoyment, for what is true private property. This is a different sort of situation, and it is about how different groups can live together in harmony,' he said.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where it is sponsored by Sen. Cleave Simpson, an Alamosa Republican, and Sen. Julie Gonzales, a Denver Democrat.
SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US sends a shot across the bows of its allies over submarine deal
When Joe Courtney, a Democratic congressman, learnt the Pentagon was reviewing the Australia-UK-US deal designed to enable Canberra to Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
an hour ago
Trump says he 'may' call Walz after Minnesota shootings, calls him 'grossly incompetent'
President Donald Trump told ABC News on Sunday that he "may" call Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz after a political assassination sent shockwaves through the state. The president, who condemned the violence, called the Democratic governor a "terrible governor" and "grossly incompetent" in an interview with ABC News' Rachel Scott. "Well, it's a terrible thing. I think he's a terrible governor. I think he's a grossly incompetent person. But I may, I may call him, I may call other people too," the president told Scott. Minnesota is reeling from two back-to-back shootings. Authorities say a masked gunman disguised as a police officer shot and killed Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, a former speaker of the state House, and her husband Mark, and wounded a state senator and his wife early Saturday. The suspected gunman, 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, fled on foot and remains on the run. Walz called the shootings an "act of targeted political violence." The president condemned the violence shortly after the attack. "Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place," he said. A source close the Walz told ABC News that Walz and Vice President JD Vance spoke regarding the shootings. 'The Governor expressed appreciation for the ongoing coordination between federal law enforcement and Minnesota public safety officials," the person said. Another source familiar with the Minnesota governor told ABC News early Sunday afternoon that Trump has not called Walz. The source said that former President Joe Biden called Walz "right away." The White House said in a statement that the FBI and the attorney general's office will investigate the shootings and "will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law." Police say the suspected gunman allegedly had dozens of Minnesota Democrats on a target list, which was retrieved from the his vehicle. The assassination comes amid growing concerns about political violence in the U.S. following the recent killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, the arson attack at the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and the attempted assassination of Trump last summer.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
GOP lawmakers push bill touting dads for Father's Day — and calling out crisis of 1 and 4 kids growing up without one
Two Republican reps unveiled a resolution in time for Father's Day aimed at drawing attention to the millions of kids growing up without fathers — roughly one in four US children — and underscoring the important roles that dads play in American society. Reps. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Burgess Owens (R-Utah) introduced the resolution in the House earlier this month and urged policymakers to back solutions that encourage fatherhood. 'I'm blessed with six children and 17 grandchildren — they are the heartbeat of everything I do,' Owens, 73, explained about the resolution. 'We know that when fathers are engaged, children thrive, succeed in school, stay out of trouble and build brighter futures. 'This Father's Day, I'm proud to reintroduce this resolution to recognize the power and purpose of fatherhood, and to send a clear message: America is stronger when families are strong, fathers are present, and parents are empowered.' The resolution, HR 487, which hasn't received a vote yet, declares that 'fatherhood is essential to the development of all children.' 3 The GOP reps are hoping the House will adopt the resolution that highlights the importance of fatherhood. Getty Images 3 Rep. Burgess Owens has six children and seventeen grandchildren. Getty Images About 18.4 million children — roughly a quarter of American kids — live without any father in the home — including a biological, step or adoptive dad, according to US Census Bureau data. Roughly 80% of single-parent households are run by single moms, one study from 2022 found. 'A father's impact is truly incalculable,' Donalds, who is running for Florida governor, said in a statement. 'It is fundamental for growth and development throughout a child's life. Fathers are providers, protectors, teachers, mentors, role models, and so much more.' 'Too many children across our country have been robbed of this lasting influence and we must do everything we can to end the tragic cycle of fatherlessness in America. I'm proud to partner with Congressman Owens to express the importance of this timeless institution.' The resolution is also being championed by former Minnesota Vikings and University of Minnesota football player Jack Brewer, whose eponymous foundation has worked to combat the fatherhood crisis in the US. Last week, the Jack Brewer Foundation celebrated the grand opening of its National Fatherhood Center in Washington, DC. 'We should be embarrassed as the most fatherless nation in the world and declare war on this crisis in America,' Brewer said. 3 Jack Brewer's eponymous foundation opened its National Fatherhood Center in Washington, D.C. last week. Bloomberg via Getty Images 'Too many vulnerable children and families have been devastated, and we must address all policies that contribute to dismantling homes, ensuring that both a mother and a father are present to support their children.' The resolution also draws attention to the impact of fatherlessness in minority communities and pushes for solutions such as workforce reentry initiatives for incarcerated parents, mentorship programs, and tax incentives for parents. The measure also hails the First Step Act, opportunity zones and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUS) for helping to address fatherlessness in minority communities. 'Fatherlessness and the lack of important role models in the lives of children today are a root cause of the violence and unrest we are witnessing in our Nation,' the resolution warned.
