Garfield County sues High Lonesome Ranch over road access

[marksjeep]

County wins, judge orders ranch to open road outside De Beque

A federal judge has ordered a guest ranch to remove a locked gate on Garfield County Road 200 outside De Beque after agreeing with the county that it is a

www.gjsentinel.com

This is outstanding.Kudos to GC.

 

[WyoDoug]

I had similar problem in Meeker area while hunting elk. A rancher blocked a county road and the sheriff ended up putting one of his deputies there for a few days to ensure it remained open. Blocked off a BUNCH of BLM land in the process doing that.

 

[Glockster]

Glad it will be opened up!

 

[HighDesertSage]

This is great new and a big win for Public Land owners.

 

[davinski]

I saw that and am glad it has finally been ruled upon. I'll be curious if they appeal. I've seen Brandon present similar RS2477 information on this and ask Mesa County to pursue, like GC, historic mapping of many of the historic RS2477 routes. MC commissioners generally dismissed it as a gimmick that was not worth funding that effort. The precedent this may set will be interesting. Around me, much of the angst and desire to leverage RS2477 has actually been against the BLM closing roads instead of private landowners like in this case. I don't pretend to understand all the legalese and nuances, but I suspect we'll be seeing more of this stuff.

For those not familiar with the area, much of the land around this particular closure and the HL ranch are under the footprint of the 2020 Pine Gulch fire. I don't think HL lost any structures but can't say for certain.

 

[TN_Rifle_Junkie]

I am glad the precedence has been set and now CO has a legal means to hold entities accountable for closing public access to public roads that lead to public land (through private land).

 

[one ate E grain]

Thank You for following up on this Marksjeep and for posting here. A big win for all user groups. Maybe a step closer to access to all public lands by the public.

 

[Khunter]

A great outcome. Will have to go through there to hunt just because I can.

 

[windymtnman]

I would think if a person wants to hunt this area, he/she could go into the area's Ranger Station/Office, and find out what their opinion is on whether the road and access is public or private. Get the name of the person that told you this too. Then, if you have GPS or Onyx mapping go hunt the area. If someone confronts you, calmly point out that you've just checked your GPS and that governing agency says this is a public area, and that they are harassing you. They need to stop harassing you, or you'll be the one to call the Sheriff. Pull out your phone, and record the interchange with them.

 

[Elmacho]

Its nothing new. Same type of case happened down SW Colorado abut 20 years ago. Guy built a bullet proof gate on the side of a cliff- claiming his mining claim is private. Blocked a ton of access off to the best elk and deer- brought his asshole texas friends with him to threaten anyone that tried to access the area.....smart guy though- he played the sherriff against the town cops against the F&G cops...took about 20 years to get it finally resolved...

 

[marksjeep]

And....the fight continues.

https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/wes...cle_1cd18fc6-5cd6-11eb-bf60-e3d5a95e23b8.html

It's still frustrating to know that the owner of HL was on the BOD of TRCP, given the position this ranch takes in blocking access to public lands.

 

[Matt R]

Yes, that is frustrating to me too but I believe the key word in your post is was as I don't recognize his name on the TRCP BOD anymore, correct (I believe it was Paul Vahldiek Jr if I'm not mistaken)?

Meet the Team | Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

Our staff and board members unite and amplify our partners’ voices to advance America’s legacy of conservation, habitat, and access.

www.trcp.org

 

[marksjeep]

Correct on both accounts. "Was" is good, "Wasn't" would have been better.

 

[davinski]

I saw this news article in the same screen that I saw the GJ Sentinel article about that HL appeal above.

https://durangoherald.com/articles/361780-montezuma-county-expands-historic-road-map

Montezuma County is trying to leverage RS 2477 to establish ROW in BLM and USFS land. I don't know much about much, but that's a simmering and related issue. Garfield County had the same conversations, not sure where it went or if they're ongoing. Mesa County didn't want to bite. I really don't want to blow up this thread with that RS2477 debate, but it is worth watching.

 

[marksjeep]

Locks must be removed pending the circuit court appeal. County to begin surveys and fire rehab work.

https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/ran...cle_ef5b0b7e-6fa6-11eb-80d1-6f49f8f62427.html

 

[Orion’s Breath]

These are good developments, no doubt about it - thanks for the update Marksjeep!

 

[Skunk_Sheriff]

Great to hear the gate will be opened finally, hope the trend continues and more of these situations are remedied

 

[Pelican]

Ranch gets backing from ag-land interests in challenging ruling declaring roads public

The High Lonesome Ranch outside De Beque is getting support from ag-land interest groups in its appeal of a federal court ruling that two roads going through its property are

www.gjsentinel.com

 

[belshawelk]

Threshold place is burned down from the last fires. Nothing there to access. Looks like the moon.

 

[swampokie]

I have muzzleloader deer elk and bear tags for this unit. We were looking at the south side of horse mountain but if the road is infact open we may check out the north side or the west part of cow ridge. How’s it looking with the drought and fire devastation. Probly like the moon. Any green? Any predictions on the confrontations between hlr and the hunters?