Who Is the Billionaire Behind Colorado’s Controversial San Luis Valley Fence?

Recently, the story of a Colorado billionaire’s controversial fence, which has been disrupting the environment in the San Luis Valley, has made headlines after the landowner was issued a cease and desist order from water officials.

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So, who is William Harrison?

San Luis, Colorado’s Controversial Billionaire

William Bruce Harrison is a 39-year-old heir who has spent much of his adult life and a lot of money investing in businesses and property.

Harrison’s grandfather was a Texas oil tycoon by the name of Daniel Jefferson Harrison, and his father was a Texas rancher by the name of Bruce Harrison.

Some of the companies that William Harrison has invested in over the years have been a London-based construction company known as ISG Ltd., a Dublin-based engineering contractor by the name of Leo Lynch, an electric car battery company known as Britishvolt, and another British company called Jones Engineering.

Harrison also invested in Intermountain West, which saw him acquire 19 mountains in Colorado, and purchased the Cielo Vista Ranch in the San Luis Valley, which is the property in which the controversial fence is located.

What’s Going on with the Controversial Colorado Fence?

In 2020, Harrison began constructing an 8-foot-tall fence around his 83,000-acre ranch in the San Luis Valley, much to the dismay of his neighbors.

Opponents of the fence have cited disruption of vegetation, water flow, wildlife, drinking water, and recreation as reasons that the fence’s construction should stop.

While water officials are unable to stop the fence’s construction, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued a cease and desist order, which could lead to Harrison facing hefty fines if he continues with the project.

Read More: Examining The Troubling Case Of John Abercrombie In Colorado

Check out the full story from The Colorado Sun here.