A protracted conflict between Colorado residents and William Harrison, the son of a Texas oil tycoon, has reached a new stage following an environmental report that details the detrimental impact of his sprawling ranch fence on wildlife. The roughly 20-mile-long, eight-foot-high barbed-wire fence at the Cielo Vista Ranch has been the subject of a years-long dispute, with locals demanding its removal.
An environmental assessment, jointly commissioned by ranch management and Costilla County officials, concluded that the fence obstructs wildlife, hindering their ability to access food, water, and shelter, and restricting migration patterns. The report highlighted the necessity for certain sections of the fence to be modified, including raising or lowering it and removing barbed wire, to allow animals like elk and mule deer to pass over or under.
Harrison, who acquired the 83,368-acre ranch, asserts the fence is primarily intended to deter trespassers and to contain his herd of bison. However, hundreds of local residents contend the fence is an intimidation tactic and an impediment to wildlife.
The fence's construction began in 2021, drawing immediate criticism from locals who likened its appearance to a prison yard and raised concerns about its environmental consequences. Joseph Quintana, a local resident, characterized the fence as a "vanity thing" and a means for Harrison to assert ownership over the property. Shirley Romero Otero, whose ancestors were among the valley's first settlers, spoke of the psychological impact of the fence, suggesting it reflects a perceived condescension toward the local community.
Residents have also reported instances of alleged harassment, including being monitored by cameras and drones, and confronted by security guards, even when possessing keys to access gates. One resident recounted an alleged threat of a $100,000 fine after riding onto the property with his wife.
Harrison's attorney, Jamie Cotter, has countered these claims, stating that Harrison has been unfairly targeted and that the fence is not designed to impede those with legitimate access rights. Despite these assertions, residents claim the fence has contributed to a decline in elk and deer populations, trapped smaller animals, and caused erosion and irrigation problems.
The land itself is subject to an 1844 agreement that grants descendants of original Mexican and Spanish settlers rights to hunt, harvest timber, and graze livestock on the property. The ranch also encompasses Culebra Peak, a 14,000-foot mountain accessible to hikers via a permit.
Following a one-year moratorium on fence construction that began when the project started, at least 26 miles of fencing were ultimately erected. In 2024, Harrison and Costilla County agreed to a court-mandated wildlife impact study. However, by the May 15 deadline, the parties had not reached a resolution on implementing the report's recommendations.
The case was returned to the Costilla County Board of Adjustment for further deliberation on how new county regulations for high fences would apply. At a community meeting on June 16, residents voiced their ongoing concerns. The current fence structure includes 29 designated wildlife jumps for large game, along with an open gate, a natural opening, and several smaller gaps. Harrison had reportedly planned additional wildlife crossings before the project was paused in 2023.