Legislation has been introduced at the Colorado State Capitol to address the controversial issue of an eight-foot fence on Culebra Peak in Costilla County. Rep. Matthew Martinez, the bill’s sponsor, is seeking state oversight for fencing above five feet, specifically targeting the 77,000-acre Cielo Vista Ranch owned by Texas oilman William Harrison. The fight over the fence, known as La Sierra, has been ongoing for nearly 70 years and involves historical land rights for residents of the San Luis Valley. Former Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar has rallied support for the legislation, highlighting the long-standing use of the land by the valley’s residents for hunting, fishing, and grazing.
The proposed bill aims to prevent further construction of large fences without local government approval on Sangre de Cristo land grant lands. Residents are seeking protection for their historical land use rights and hope to prevent similar disputes from arising on other properties. While the Cielo Vista Ranch has temporarily halted fence construction and initiated efforts to remediate environmental damage caused by the fence, the bill’s supporters are optimistic about continuing to work with the landowner to achieve shared goals.
The legislation has bipartisan support in the Colorado legislature, with Senators Cleave Simpson and Julie Gonzales sponsoring the bill in the Senate. Overall, the goal of the bill is to promote cooperation between landowners and residents to preserve historical uses of the land while also enforcing proper oversight to prevent future conflicts. The bill is expected to bring attention to the issue of land rights and property disputes in rural areas throughout the state.
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