I have been researching the polygamist communites of Hildale Utah and
Colorado City Arizona. I plan to visit them soon. My query is, what
sort of trespassing laws (other than 'standard or ordinary'
trespassing laws) apply there? Can I be legally ordered to leave or is
it merely a request? Please advise with any additional info, and don't
hesitate to ask for clarification. (This is my first ever
answers.google question so I realize I may not be asking it
correctly.)  In advance, thanks again!

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Clarification of Question by leviinalaska-ga on 02 Jun 2004 19:08 PDT

Thought I'd add the following:

I'm not asking about trespassing on private property (business or
personal) but interested in whether or not the police can "tell me to
leave town"

Have you already read John Krakauer's new book? 

Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith? 

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/krakauer/
Official Book Website by RandomHouse

http://www.greaterthings.com/Bookstore/Reviews/UnderBannerHeaven/
SUPPLEMENT
Index of relevant supplemental material for  Jon Krakauer's book that
deals with frightening fundamentalist manifestations of LDS doctrines
no longer actively practiced by Mormonism.

Thank you for your comment, but I'm not looking for religious rhetoric
(for or against) but rather a question about a legal right to be in
their community as a visitor. I'm not concerned about their history or
what brought them to be, but rather, am far mor interested in seeing
them shut down.

The people (and government, and laws) of Utah and Northern Arizona are
typically above average at tolerating investigative reporters, but you
may have found the only exception. They do not want you to investigate
polygamy. You may already have put friends and relatives in jeprody of
(boo-hiss)lawyers by asking this question. Get some extra life
insurance and medical coverage before you visit. You are likely to
have an accident after you start investigating. It is an other example
of government in your face, and violence is a possible solution.  Neil

For an idea, see this Jan. 26, 2004 A.P. story, reprinted in the
Casper [WY] Star-Tribune:

"Man speaks out against FLDS leader," by Mark Thiessen:
http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2004/01/26/news/national/2ea37d749621987a87256e260081ee0e.txt
"It was unclear whether [prophet Jeffs was in Colorado City Friday. He
couldn't be seen in or around his city block-sized compound, which is
surrounded by an 8-foot-tall block fence dotted with 'No Trespassing'
signs. His Salt Lake City attorney, R. Scott Berry, did not
immediately return calls seeking comment."

Also see this March 24, 2004 news story from the Internet Broadcasting
System posted at "Click2Houston":
http://www.click2houston.com/news/2950294/detail.html
"Schleicher County [AZ] Sheriff David Doran said he takes Jessop's
[Flora Jessop, anti-polygamy activist] concerns seriously, but said it
is his understanding that the property is a corporate hunting retreat
and people should not jump to conclusions."

So, this is a private compound, meaning those who own it probably have
great leeway in establishing trespassing guidelines.

For instance, at the Fund For Animals:
http://www.fund.org/library/documentViewer.asp?ID=512&table=documents
look under heading, "TRESPASSING AND POSTING: THE LAWS." It looks like
Utah and AZ both allow private property owners to post No Trespassing
signs that carry real weight.

See Utah Code on Trespassing:
http://www.slsheriff.org/html/org/court_services/trespassing.html
(This page is a little messy.)

And, AZ's state laws:
http://www.azol.org/laws.htm

Like czh-ga, I strongly recommend that you read Under The Banner of
Heaven. It will give you a very solid, clear idea of just what you can
expect.