Construction has been ordered to stop at the sprawling Santa Fe County property once owned by Jeffrey Epstein, after state and county officials determined the new owners failed to obtain required permits.
The Stanley-area estate, formerly known as Zorro Ranch, is now owned by Texas businessman and political candidate Don Huffines and his family. Work had begun on a new, unfinished entrance gate featuring concrete turrets connected by an arch spanning the roadway.
Authorities allege the construction proceeded without proper approvals, prompting orders to pause activity until permitting requirements are satisfied.
According to officials, any significant exterior construction — particularly structural additions like the new front gate — requires review and authorization under Santa Fe County regulations. Questions have also emerged about whether the property’s intended use may be shifting.
Huffines previously indicated plans to transform the property into a Christian retreat. If the ranch transitions from agricultural or residential use to a commercial retreat center, it could require additional development approvals under county land-use rules.
Nearby, a makeshift memorial continues to honor victims of Epstein, who owned the ranch from 1993 until his death in a New York jail in 2019. The property has remained a focal point of public scrutiny amid ongoing investigations and renewed political attention in New Mexico.
The construction pause comes as New Mexico lawmakers pursue broader inquiries into activities tied to the ranch during Epstein’s ownership. A bipartisan state “truth commission” was recently established to examine unanswered questions surrounding the property.
Community reaction remains divided. Some residents argue the permitting action reflects standard regulatory enforcement, while others characterize it as politically motivated scrutiny given Huffines’ political profile.
The ranch — which includes a 27,000-square-foot main residence and numerous outbuildings — has long been the subject of controversy. Federal law enforcement scrutiny of the site in the years following Epstein’s death has also been debated publicly.
For now, construction on the prominent entrance structure remains stalled. Officials have not indicated when work may resume, stating the project must comply fully with county and state permitting requirements before proceeding.
Originally reported by Clara Bates and Nicholas Gilmore in Santa Fe New Mexican.
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