SAN LUIS, COLORADO – A decades-long battle over fencing on land tied to the historic Sangre de Cristo Land Grant has taken center stage at the Colorado State Capitol, where lawmakers are considering legislation aimed at regulating fence construction on these contested lands. House Bill 25-1023, introduced by Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista, seeks to establish state oversight and local government authority over fencing taller than five feet within the Sangre de Cristo land grant area.
The controversy stems from a 16-mile, eight-foot fence erected on Culebra Peak in Costilla County, part of the 77,000-acre Cielo Vista Ranch owned by Texas oilman William Harrison. The fencing has long been a point of contention for residents whose families have used the land—known locally as La Sierra—for hunting, grazing, logging, and religious ceremonies for generations. While the bill would not be retroactive, it would prohibit additional construction of the fence, a move Martinez and others say is vital to preserving the community’s historical access to the land.
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Generations of Struggle for Access
The roots of this conflict stretch back nearly 70 years. In 1960, Jack Taylor purchased the land, which was unfenced at the time. The deed explicitly acknowledged the rights of local residents to access La Sierra for traditional uses. However, fencing soon followed, sparking decades of litigation over access rights. In 2002, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in Lobato v. Taylor that Costilla County residents had legal rights to use the land based on historical and prescriptive claims.
Former U.S. Senator and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, whose family descends from the original Mexican settlers of the San Luis Valley, highlighted the significance of the land’s history during a press conference supporting the bill. He called the ongoing conflict a “story of forgotten America” and criticized Harrison for failing to recognize the cultural and historical ties of the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant heirs to the property.
New Bill Seeks Local Oversight
HB 25-1023 would require landowners in the Sangre de Cristo grant area to obtain local government approval before constructing or repairing fences above five feet in height. If passed, the law would take effect on July 1, 2025, granting counties and municipalities oversight to prevent similar disputes in the future. The bill is co-sponsored in the Senate by Sens. Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, and Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, who also have deep ties to the San Luis Valley.
Martinez read a statement from the La Sierra Environmental Guardian Committee, which has advocated for community involvement in decisions about fencing. While the committee acknowledged that Harrison has temporarily halted fence construction and begun repairing some damage, they emphasized the need for stronger regulations to ensure transparency and accountability.
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The legislation reflects broader concerns about the future of the Sangre de Cristo land grant and its role in Colorado’s cultural and ecological heritage. Salazar drew parallels to Trinchera Ranch, where billionaire conservationist Louis Bacon has partnered with local stakeholders to conserve tens of thousands of acres for public and environmental benefit.
A Path Forward for La Sierra
The bill is also viewed as a step toward fostering collaboration between landowners and local communities. The La Sierra coalition expressed hope that shared goals, such as land restoration, could build bridges between Harrison and Costilla County residents.
If enacted, the legislation could serve as a model for resolving similar disputes over access to historic lands statewide.
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