United States Attorney Cole Finegan | U.S. Department of Justice
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado has initiated legal proceedings against Patrick Pipkin, Brian Hammon, and a group of unidentified individuals. The lawsuit alleges these parties unlawfully erected fencing on federal public lands near Mancos, Colorado, without authorization. Filed in the federal district court in Colorado, the lawsuit aims to affirm that such activities are not permitted and seeks to prevent further unauthorized fencing.
According to the complaint, in October 2024, Mr. Pipkin, Mr. Hammon, and others installed miles of fencing on public land within the San Juan National Forest. This land is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service and is utilized for various purposes including recreation and grazing. The defendants reportedly used fenceposts and barbed wire to block access across a significant portion of this area. Although much of the material was later removed by local residents, some remains on-site.
Additionally, it is alleged that Mr. Pipkin has been posting notices in Mancos under the title "Free Land Holder Committee," claiming authority over public land use and setting deadlines for action by community members.
The lawsuit includes claims under the Unlawful Inclosures Act of 1885 as well as civil trespass charges. It seeks a court order to stop further obstruction or intimidation against lawful users and prevent harm to both land and public access rights.
Matt Kirsch, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado stated: “Public lands belong to all of us, not to any individual person or group. It is unlawful to construct fences on Forest Service lands without the Forest Service’s permission.” He emphasized that their objective with this lawsuit is to ensure continued open access for all legally permitted uses.
The allegations outlined will require proof should this case proceed to trial. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Lake and Bill Scarpato are managing this case.
