A Colorado woman claims she went to war when the county tried to seize her private property.

In the final installment of the series, we delve into the ongoing property rights battle of Taralyn Romero in Kittredge, Colorado.

A town hall-style meeting was held at a community church, attended by dozens of angry residents demanding updates on when they can swim and play in Bear Creek.

The most loathed individual in the room was Taralyn Romero, who had put up a rope to prevent access to the cherished creek.

"The May 2022 meeting sparked intense public backlash," Romero stated, "and I could feel that something was about to boil over."

The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners filed a lawsuit against Romero two months later, claiming that the government, not Romero, owned the sandy beach on the north side of Bear Creek.

"Just like any other homebuyer, I was fortunate enough to purchase a property, establish a family, and reside in a desired location. However, now they are attempting to take it away from me," she stated.

In early 2021, Romero bought a house in Kittredge, Colorado, and her conflict with her neighbors and the local government arose due to issues with her backyard, which had a steep hill and a creek running through it, and a community park located on the other side.

For decades, locals had been playing in the creek, but Romero discovered through a property survey that the land on either side of the water belonged to her.

"I purchased a house with a creek in the backyard, as advertised. However, I wouldn't let them take it away from me based on principle alone."

Romero attempted to negotiate with the county to lease a portion of her land for community access to the creek while respecting her rights.

The government sought a judge's decision to gain control over Jefferson County's land.

The creek was initially considered the boundary between the park, established in 1986, and the adjacent property, with the park encompassing everything north of the creek and Romero owning the land south of it.

The lawsuit states that Bear Creek has gradually moved south from its original course and is now located south of its original position.

Bear Creek's current location was not meant to be part of the property, as argued by Romero and her lawyers, who stated that the deed connects the boundary to a map, not the water.

Now we can just go to war and I don't have to pretend anymore. — Taralyn Romero

The July 2022 lawsuit claimed that the land should be given to the county based on the doctrine of adverse possession because the community had used the property for more than 35 years without any complaints from previous owners. The county argued that public access should continue since the community had enjoyed access to the property for so long.

Romero said in some ways the lawsuit was "such a relief."

"Now we can just go to war, and I don't have to pretend anymore," she said. "I said, 'We're gonna fight for this, because owning property in this country is synonymous with the pursuit of happiness.'"

Kittredge residents viewed Romero as a "Wicked Witch of the West," but she had an army of TikTok followers on her side. Her short videos about the property dispute garnered millions of views.

The county commissioners and the local parks department's Facebook page were inundated with emails and comments from individuals worldwide, according to Romero.

Numerous individuals attended virtual town hall meetings to demonstrate their backing for the woman who frequently lacked support.

"That public pressure absolutely influenced the government," Romero said.

Last year, Romero reached a deal with the county, selling a portion of her backyard that included the creek and beach for $250,000. The county then erected a fence and installed signage along the new property line.

The rope divides the water's edge into two sections, one accessible for public play and the other reserved for private property.

Jefferson County's attorney declined to comment on the suit or its outcome.

Romero's experience altered her perception of our justice system and government, she stated.

She was shocked by the hypocrisy of many residents, as she never thought for a second that she would still be at risk of losing everything despite having all the facts on her side.

"Romero stated, "When it comes to their property, they're going to freak out if you're an inch over on their fence line, but when it comes to my property, they're like, ‘You should share,’ and if I don't want to share, the government should force me to share through prescriptive easement.""

Romero, having overcome her own struggles, now utilizes TikTok to champion for the rights and freedoms of others. In a recent post, she shared emotional videos about a New York raid that resulted in the euthanasia of a pet squirrel, condemning it as "outrageous" and a reflection of the "unbalanced" control powers in America.

She still hasn't forgiven all of her neighbors though.

"Romero stated, "If I could speak to those who deceived and betrayed me, I would say, 'Shame on you.' What you put out into the world, you get back. And good luck, because it was hell.'""