Texas billionaire refuses to change 8-foot Colorado ranch fence

A Texas billionaire is refusing to negotiate changes to the controversial 8-foot fence surrounding his family's sprawling Colorado ranch, even after a court-ordered wildlife study concluded the barrier should be modified to reduce harm to dozens of animal species. 

But despite those findings, ranch owner William Harrison's attorneys told county officials there would be "no negotiations involving the contents of the report," according to a report in the Colorado Sun. His attorneys did not respond to Chron's request for comment about the negotiations. Costilla County commissioners also did not respond to a request for comment. 

A newly released, court-ordered 83-page report jointly prepared by wildlife experts retained by Cielo Vista Ranch and Costilla County recommends hundreds of modifications to make the fence more wildlife-friendly. 

The report found that the 8-foot woven-wire fence, which includes barbed wire along the top and bottom, could affect more than 30 wildlife species, including federally protected Canada lynx and silverspot butterflies, as well as elk, mule deer, eagles, hawks, and Rio Grande cutthroat trout.

Rather than recommending the fence be torn down entirely, the experts outlined 356 modifications they say would dramatically reduce its impact on wildlife. 

Among the recommendations are removing barbed wire from the top and bottom of the fence, raising the bottom of the fence at least 16 inches off the ground, enlarging the wire-grid openings, adding wildlife crossings and removing sections of fencing in particularly sensitive areas. The report also concluded that a 5-foot fence would be sufficient to contain the ranch's bison herd.

According to the report, experts recommended 176 large-mammal crossings, 132 openings for smaller animals and the removal of sections of fence in key wildlife corridors near El Poso Creek, Torcido Creek and Jaroso Creek.

Construction on the fence began in 2021 after Harrison-the son of oil magnate Bruce Harrison and head of Cathexis Oil and Gas LLC- said it was needed to keep bison contained and trespassers off the property. Costilla County halted the project in 2023 after obtaining a preliminary injunction barring further fence construction while the legal battle continued.

The wildlife study stems from a 2024 mediated settlement between the ranch and Costilla County. Although the report concludes the fence can be made significantly more wildlife-friendly through dozens of modifications, Harrison's reported refusal to negotiate means the yearslong dispute remains unresolved as the case continues through the courts.

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