The bill aims to regulate fencing projects within the Sangre de Cristo land grant lands to protect the environment and local communities.
Key Provisions:
Application Requirement:
Effective July 1, 2025, individuals planning to install or substantially repair a contiguous fence of a specified size within the Sangre de Cristo land grant lands must submit an application to the local government with jurisdiction over the area.
Public Notice and Decision Timeline:
Within 14 days of receiving an application, the local government must publish notice of the application on its website.
The local government is required to approve or reject the application within 60 days, based on established criteria.
Local Government Discretion:
Despite the established criteria, a local government may approve an application if it determines that the benefits of the fencing project outweigh the harms.
Opt-Out Provision:
The governing body of a local government may pass an ordinance or resolution opting out of these requirements.
Summary
The bill requires, on or after July 1, 2025, and before commencing
a project to install or substantially repair a contiguous fence of a certain size in the Sangre de Cristo land grant lands (covered fencing project), a person to submit an application for the covered fencing project to the local government with jurisdiction over the covered fencing project (application). No later than 14 days after the local government's receipt of an application, the local government must publish notice of the application on the local government's website. No later than 60 days after the local government's receipt of an application, the local government must either approve or reject the application based on certain criteria. Despite the criteria, a local government may approve an application if it determines that the benefits of the covered fencing project outweigh the harms. Also, the governing body of a local government may pass an ordinance or resolution opting out of these requirements.
