A self-proclaimed polyamory cult, known as the Free Land Holders, has stirred fury by fencing off 1,400 acres of Colorado’s San Juan National Forest, claiming it as their own under the long-defunct Homestead Act of 1862. Locals have taken matters into their own hands, dismantling parts of the fence and condemning the group’s actions as an illegal land grab. “They couldn’t have picked a piece of land more beloved by the town,” said resident Brad Finch, a frequent user of the area.
The group, reportedly linked to former FLDS leader Warren Jeffs, asserts that historic treaties give them rights to the land. However, Forest Service records confirm federal ownership since 1927. Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office has intervened, urging both parties to await a court decision while assuring the public that access to popular trails remains open. Sheriff Steven Nowlin is calling for calm, stating, “Let them work it out in court…they’re just normal people.”
