In just a matter of a few years, there have been some cases where people who have bought land or properties in Colorado, and they have gotten into serious legal issues because of it, and that too when they’re actually the owners of the land or property. That pretty much sounds unfair, which it really is. And that is the very reason we are talking about this Ridgeline Heights, Colorado Lawsuit here. Let’s get to know it a little better, especially the crazy details.
The Kittredge Creek Mess (2021-2023)
First of all, let’s talk about the starting matter that made a lot of people pay attention to this kind of matter, like, in January 2021, Taralyn Romero and her fiancé decided to purchase a five-bedroom house in Kittredge, Colorado, very close to Ridgeline Heights. Just to add some detail here, you see, the couple went $40,000 over the asking price and paid $840,000 for the property, mainly due to the fact that the listing emphasized the quiet creek in the backyard. From the perspective of a formal evaluation, the situation seemed perfect.
But the thing is, when they moved in, later down the line, the situation deteriorated. In continuation of trespassing on their backyard which was apparently fenced, several unknown people took it as a common park and kept coming and walking in it, and yes, we’re talking about happenings like fishing, putting up chairs, and umbrellas, the whole event. And it wasn’t only a couple of people. There were times when more than 50 people were loitering there as if it were their place.
It is true that people in the area had been using that creek for more than 35 years, and a large number of them were of the opinion that it was a part of the Kittredge Park which was close by. The former owners didn’t stop the access, and they didn’t tell any of this to Romero. The problem, therefore, started when there was a change in the situation.
Romero attempted to resolve the issue by putting up ‘No Trespassing’ signs, but it did not work. The situation, rather, became worse. She was subjected to abuse, vandalism, and a constant fight with the antagonists.
After the local government refused to help her, the county went forward and filed a lawsuit against her in 2022. In their defense, they said that a portion of her property was turned into public land due to “adverse possession” and “prescriptive easement,” which basically means that people had been using that area for so long that they have the right to access it. A shocking situation for any homeowner, no two ways about that!
Romero decided to share her experience through TikTok (@wickedwitch_ofthe_west), and her videos went viral, like, she got more than 240,000 followers who showed their support. All this publicity was her saving grace. In May 2023, she got through with the county a settlement agreement.
Here’s what they agreed on:
- She sold 0.099 acres of the creek area to the county for $250,000.
- A fence and rope marker were installed to clearly separate public and private areas.
- She kept about 70% of her property and most of the creek.
Afterward, she brought an action of her own against the former owners for the non-disclosure of the problem, and that matter was resolved confidentially. The entire fiasco, as per her, was the thing that broke her concept of the American dream. It is difficult to take a stand against that.
Other Similar Cases
Well, there was a similar case from 2022-2025, and we now know it as the Genesee case, where an 81-year-old woman fought against the Colorado Department of Transportation because they wanted to use 17 acres of her land, eventually, though, the jury sided with her and awarded $3 million. And just like that, there was the Brighton Farm case too, which you should get to know as well.
