The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado has filed a lawsuit against Patrick Pipkin, Brian Hammon, and several unidentified individuals. The lawsuit alleges that 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 establish that such activities are prohibited and to prevent future occurrences.
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 owned by the United States and managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. The area serves various purposes including recreation and grazing. The defendants allegedly used fence posts and barbed wire to construct fences that obstructed free passage across this land. Although much of the fencing was later removed by members of the public, some materials remain.
The lawsuit further claims that Mr. Pipkin has been posting notices in Mancos under the name "Free Land Holder Committee," claiming authority over public use of this land and setting deadlines for action.
The complaint includes claims under the Unlawful Inclosures Act of 1885 and civil trespass charges. It seeks a court order to prevent further obstruction or intimidation against lawful users of this area and ensure ongoing free access to public lands.
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 added that they filed this lawsuit "to make clear that these federal lands remain open to the public for all lawfully permitted uses."
The allegations presented must be proven by a preponderance of evidence if brought to trial.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Lake and Bill Scarpato are handling this case.