Arranging a Property Survey for Co-Owned Land in Colorado

Detailed answer — arranging a survey for co-owned property in Colorado

1. Who can request a survey?

Any co-owner can ask for a survey of the property. However, because co-owners share rights in the land, practical and legal issues can arise if one owner proceeds without the other’s cooperation. If you and your sibling agree, you can jointly hire a surveyor and share the cost. If your sibling objects or is unresponsive, you can still hire a surveyor to inspect and map the property, but you must allow lawful access and avoid trespass.

2. Choose the right type of survey

Common survey types:

• Boundary survey — establishes and maps property lines and corners.
• ALTA/NSPS survey — detailed survey used in transactions and lending; includes title-related matters.
• Topo survey — shows elevation and site features (useful for site planning).
• Subdivision or lot-line adjustment survey — used when dividing or altering parcels.

3. Hire a licensed Colorado land surveyor

Colorado requires professional land surveyors to be licensed. Look up licensed surveyors and licensing rules at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). A licensed surveyor will verify property corners, research recorded plats and deeds, and prepare a written map and certificate you can record. DORA: https://dpo.colorado.gov/

4. Prepare documentation before the surveyor arrives

Gather and give the surveyor any helpful documents:

• Recorded deed and the legal description(s) for the parcel(s).
• Previous surveys, plats, or title insurance policy and title commitment.
• Recorded easements, covenants, and restrictions.
• Tax parcel number and any parcel maps from the county assessor/recorder.

5. Access and permissions

Surveyors will need reasonable access to the entire property. If your sibling objects to access across their portion of the land or refuses permission, tell your surveyor and an attorney. In many cases, a surveyor can inspect from public rights-of-way and from the areas you control. For areas blocked by the co-owner, a court order may be necessary if access is essential and withheld.

6. Cost and timeline

Costs vary with property size, terrain, complexity, and survey type. Expect a simple residential boundary survey to cost more for difficult access or complex corners. A licensed surveyor will give a written estimate that includes fieldwork, research, and the final plats or certificates. Typical timelines run from a few days to several weeks for research and fieldwork, then additional days to prepare and certify the final drawings.

7. Recording the survey and using the results

Once complete, you can record the survey plat with the county recorder to put future buyers and lenders on notice. If the survey identifies a line dispute, options include:

• Boundary line agreement — a written and recorded agreement between co-owners that fixes the line as shown on the survey.
• Mediation or negotiation — try to reach an amicable solution to avoid court costs.
• Court remedies — if owners cannot agree, Colorado law allows actions such as partition (to divide or sell the property) or quiet title/boundary actions. For statute texts and procedures, refer to the Colorado Revised Statutes: https://leg.colorado.gov/colorado-revised-statutes.

8. When to involve an attorney

If your sibling objects to the survey, refuses access, contests the boundaries the surveyor finds, or you anticipate a dispute over ownership shares, consult a Colorado real property attorney early. Attorneys can advise on recording boundary agreements, filing partition or quiet-title actions, and protecting your rights while keeping costs proportional to the underlying dispute.

9. Practical workflow to arrange the survey

1. Talk with your sibling and try to agree on having a survey done and how to split costs.
2. Collect deeds, prior surveys, title info, and county parcel data.
3. Contact licensed Colorado surveyors for written estimates and timelines. Use DORA to confirm licensure: https://dpo.colorado.gov/.
4. Hire a surveyor and provide all documents and access instructions in writing.
5. Review the draft survey carefully and ask questions about corners, monuments, and any inconsistencies with recorded documents.
6. Record the final survey if it resolves the matter or use its findings as part of any negotiated agreement or legal action.

Helpful hints

• Get everything in writing. Keep estimates, communications, and the final survey plat in your records.
• Use a surveyor experienced in boundary disputes if you suspect a conflict.
• Consider mediation before filing court actions. Courts can be slow and expensive.
• Record a boundary line agreement if both owners accept the survey results. A signed and recorded agreement prevents future disputes over the same line.
• If the property is held as tenants in common and you want to compel a sale or division, a partition action is a possible remedy; an attorney can explain the likely outcomes under Colorado law. For statute references, search the Colorado Revised Statutes: https://leg.colorado.gov/colorado-revised-statutes.
• Make sure the surveyor’s certificate states their license number and the date. Colorado licensing rules are administered by DORA: https://dpo.colorado.gov/.