[Grady Clay]

Shawn,

Western Land Law and Water Law are serious issues for potential owners.

In the West, water is a scarce commodity. There has evolves a wide-ranging category of “Water Law.” At the extreme is who gets Colorado River basin water; Mexico, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah or us in Colorado. In the detail are; surface water vs. alluvial water vs. underground water. It is a BIG deal.


Similar controversy exist with “Land Law.” Most of the West was (is) “owned” by the Federal Government. That means “We the People - US” or the “States - CO,” even that is questioned. On the other hand there are lots of “Ownership Rights” granted to pioneers, railroads, homesteaders, miners, etc. There are “mineral rights”, “surface rights”, “water rights” and more. This is a complicated area of US law. It is very significant when buying Western mountain property.

Most of these issues don’t exist in the “East.”

This is why a skilled attorney can help. I’m not an attorney nor is this legal advice. (CYA) I’ll see if I can find help.

Best,
Grady