ap

Skip to content
Environment | How an 8-foot fence sparked a battle between…
Thursday, July 2nd 2026

Trending:

How an 8-foot fence sparked a battle between one of Colorado’s poorest counties and an out-of-state billionaire

Outside San Luis, at least 20 miles of wildlife-blocking barrier have been erected. The county went to court to stop it.

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 8: Elise Schmelzer - Staff portraits at the Denver Post studio. (Photo by Eric Lutzens/The Denver Post)
By | eschmelzer@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Eli Rael spends the evening splitting firewood at his ranch, which borders El Cielo Vista Ranch, also known as La Sierra, near San Luis, Colorado, on April 24, 2024. He pointed out that most of the wood piled to his right came from the 83,000-acre ranch, where Rael and other locals have access rights for gathering firewood and running livestock. As a member of La Sierra Environmental Guardian Committee, Rael opposes the installation of 8-foot fencing on the ranch's perimeter, seen in the background. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Eli Rael spends the evening splitting firewood at his ranch, which borders El Cielo Vista Ranch, also known as La Sierra, near San Luis, Colorado, on April 24, 2024. He pointed out that most of the wood piled to his right came from the 83,000-acre ranch, where Rael and other locals have access rights for gathering firewood and running livestock. As a member of La Sierra Environmental Guardian Committee, Rael opposes the installation of 8-foot fencing on the ranch’s perimeter, seen in the background. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Getting your player ready...
The fence pits the residents of one of the state’s poorest and most diverse counties, along with its local government, against the heir of a Houston oil family fortune.
Already have an account Log In
This article is only available to subscribers
4th of July Sale

Standard Digital

$2 for 2 years
Offer valid for non-subscribers only

More in Environment