DENVER — The Colorado House passed legislation on Thursday to strengthen local fence construction laws in the San Luis Valley. HB25-1023 passed by a vote of 45-19.  

There were four prime sponsors of the bill – Rep. Matthew Martinez (D-Monte Vista), Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon (D-Denver), Senator Julie Gonzales (D-Denver) and Assistant Minority Leader Senator Cleave Simpson (R-Alamosa). 

“With this bill, we’re protecting our environment and the Colorado way of life in the San Luis Valley,” said Rep. Martinez. “Many San Luis Valley residents have land rights beyond the fence dating back to before Colorado’s statehood, and now they’re barred from accessing the land. This bill, rooted in local control, will require individuals to submit an application before construction begins to prioritize local voices and environmental protections.” 

“Communities in the San Luis Valley have long had the legal right to access lands they held before Colorado became a state, but a massive, private fence now encircles this property, limiting access and damaging the environment,” said Rep. Bacon . “This bill would prevent further ecological damage and ensure access for animal grazing caused by unauthorized fence construction. With this legislation, we’re making sure Coloradans, and their livestock, can access the land their families have called home for generations.” 

HB25-1023 would require individuals to submit an application to local government officials before constructing or installing a contiguous fence of a certain size in the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant lands. The bill would make local governments responsible for determining if the benefits of a fencing project outweigh the harm. Additionally, local governments may pass an ordinance or resolution opting in to these requirements altogether.  

Recent fence construction on one of the Sangre de Cristo land grant properties has caused environmental damage, including land erosion and limiting wildlife movement, and kept out local residents with legal access to the land grant. This bill takes aim at future, unauthorized fencing construction projects to protect the natural habitats in the San Luis Valley.