In the old days, noted Hansen, neighbors shared the responsibility for a fence on a common boundary line. The Hansens still operate that way with neighboring ranches, but with subdivision neighbors, the Hansens take on most of the fence responsibilities themselves. However, Hansen said, people who border Forest Service grazing land should be responsible for their own fencing. Rennels, who wants the county to help mend fences among county residents, noted that the problem is complex because there are so many parties involved. The last step in the retreat is to sell to developers.
Nobody wants that - including the county, the ranchers and the rural homeowners.
Information about the following livestock laws was provided by Rick Wahlert, Larimer County's supervisor of brand inspectors, and John Bustos of the U.S Forest Service. It's available at the commissioners' office and many real estate offices. If there is a legal fence and livestock still get in, the livestock owner is liable. This law also states that a livestock owner may not knowingly allow cattle to graze on a roadway. The brand inspector then notifies the livestock owner, who must remove the animals from the property.