Facing feds over fence, Colorado ‘Free Land Holders’ ask for ambassador, offer to pay court in silver

DENVER (CN) — Facing federal claims for building a fence in the San Juan National Forest land near Mancos, Colorado, a representative from the Free Land Holder Committee asked a federal magistrate in Denver on Tuesday to bring him a U.S. ambassador and to accept silver coins to cover filing fees.

The U.S. sued Patrick Pipkin, Bryan Hammon and other, unknown members of the Free Land Holder Committee on Nov. 26, 2024, claiming the group improperly erected a mileslong fence around the Hallar Deed Area of the San Juan National Forest.

The area is named for Fred Hallar, who sold the land to the U.S. in 1927.

According to the prosecutors, Pipkin told law enforcement he felt he could occupy the land because the Hallar deed gave the land to “The United States of America,” with a capital T, referring to “the Republic of the United States” rather than the U.S. government.

In addition to violating the Unlawful Enclosures Act, the Free Land Holders’ fence blocks others who use the land for cattle grazing and recreational activities ranging from cross-country skiing, hiking and hunting, the government contends.

Despite efforts by law enforcement and by local residents, prosecutors say, the Free Land Holders have refused to remove the fence.

On Dec. 13, 2024, Neureiter granted a motion allowing the U.S. to serve the defendants via publication since it had been difficult to reach them by more direct means.

In court Tuesday, Pipkin eschewed the name written on the complaint, instructing the judge to call him, “the man Patrick,” due to his belief his birth certificate had been forged.

“We are not an enemy combatant to the United States, myself and the Free Land Holders, I am here to request that the United States send a diplomat or an ambassador for communications of peace and sacred honor,” the man Patrick told the court.

U.S. Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter patiently explained the civil court process to Pipkin and his co-defendant, who introduced himself as “the man Bryan.”

“If you want to settle a dispute in the United States, you come to court,” Neureiter said. “They say you have blocked off their land in the southwest part of the state, and you say you own the land. You can respond by filing an answer to their complaint. There’s no ambassador.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Lake asked the court for guidance since she didn’t believe the Free Land Holders Committee would accept jurisdiction of the U.S. court system to resolve the conflict.

Neureiter ultimately granted Pipkin a three-week extension to file a properly formatted answer brief or risk the U.S. receiving default judgment in the case. The judge pointed the defendants to the court’s pro se clinic on the first floor, where they could receive more guidance on how to navigate federal civil proceedings.

That just left the matter of payment for court fees.

“I’m here with silver in hand,” Pipkin said. “I’m going to leave it here and let you know the counter-claim is being paid with silver.”

Neureiter asked how much the silver was worth. Pipkin declined to put a dollar amount on it.

“I’m not sure what we’re going to do with the silver. It’s not how we usually do things,” Neureiter said. “How do you buy gas or corn chips down at the Kum and Go in Montezuma County? If you use cash there, then I think you can use cash here.”

When Pipkin refused to take back the silver, Neureiter said he would have a clerk collect and hold it in a safe.

The case is assigned to Donald Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico, who would preside over a jury or bench trial.

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