Right-of-Way and Surveying

Right-of-way and surveying staff are part of the Transportation & Engineering Design Section.  We provide support for projects designed, funded and constructed by the county through acquiring right-of-way and performing design and construction surveying.

Surveying Frequently Requested Information: 1. Benchmarks and High Accuracy Reference Network (HARN) Points  2. Monument Records 3. Land Surveys
	Mapping, Aerial Photography and Property Information:
	Use Online Interactive Services County Mapping and GIS Product Services
Right-of-Way (ROW) Frequently Requested Information:
1. What is Right-of-way?
2. Researching County Right-of-Way Width
3. Locating County Right-of-Way on the Ground
4. Vacating County Rights-of-Way
5. I live adjacent to a roadway that the county plans to widen.  How will the county purchase ROW from me?
6. Signs are not allowed in County Right-of-Way
7. What gives a public agency the right to dig in my front yard?
8. Development of Land along Streets Widened Since 1988 (ROW Acquisition Cost Reimbursement)

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Surveying - Frequently Requested Information: 1. Benchmarks and High Accuracy Reference Network (HARN) Points To assist surveyors working in Jefferson County we have developed a map showing the Colorado High Accuracy Reference Network (CHARN) and the North American Vertical Datum 1988 (NAVD 88) benchmarks in the county. The Geodetic survey control was established by the National Geodetic Survey (NGS), Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Jefferson County.

 

Go to the Map How to Use the Map (coming soon) Note: If you have a browser pop-up blocker installed, you must turn it off to view all information available from these applications.

For complete data sheet information on the CHARN and NAVD 88 networks, please refer to the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) home page. 2. Monument Records Monument records are available from the State of Colorado and from the county Clerk & Recorders Office.

3. Land Surveys Since July 1, 1987, land surveys showing property boundaries must be filed with the county Clerk & Recorder.  Land surveys come in many forms.  The most common are land survey plats, improvement survey plats, ALTA surveys and boundary surveys.  Subdivision plats are different in that they divide land, typically through a city or county planning process, whereas land survey plats show the existing property boundary and often other land features.  Learn more from the Professional Land Surveyor's of Colorado's "When You Need a Land Survey" brochure.

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Right-of-Way (ROW) Frequently Requested Information:

1. What is Right-of-Way?

 

	Right-of-way is an interest in property either owned in fee or as an easement transferred through grant, prescription, dedication or the right of Eminent Domain.
	The county uses road right-of-way to construct, operate and maintain public infrastructure, including but not limited to the roadway surface, support shoulder, cut and fill slopes, ditches, traffic signs and signals, and drainage facilities.
	Public use of right-of-way includes direct and indirect benefits such as providing mobility and containing utility systems.

2. Researching County Right-of-Way Width In most cases ROW width is much greater than the surface of the roadway.  ROW does not end at the edge of pavement or back of curb.  The county does not have ROW maps, but by following these steps, you should be able to locate the various documents that document the location of ROW:

 

	Obtain a copy of an Assessor's map for the area from the Assessor's Office or ASPIN feature on the Assessor's Web page.  Locate the deed recording information (book and page, or reception number) in the area representing the road or ROW.  Also, look for nearby subdivision names.
	Go to the Clerk & Recorder's office to get a copy of the referenced deed or adjacent subdivision plat.   In urban areas of the county, ROW is often shown on subdivision plats.  In undeveloped areas, right-of-way is often defined by deeds.  Land Survey Plats, described in the Land Surveys section above, are also possible sources of ROW documentation.
	When no documentation exists (often indicated by no recording information on the Assessor's map), the county may own the road by adverse possession.  Under adverse possession, a road becomes "public" if it has been used adversely without interruption or objection on the part of the owners of the land for 20 consecutive years. (CRS 43-2-201)  In most cases the width of the road is the area maintained by the county, including the traveled surface, shoulders, ditches and cut/fill slopes.
	If you are unable to determine if ROW exists after reviewing the above records, Highways & Transportation's ROW or Survey staff may be able to assist you.  Please submit a Right-of-Way Information Request Form.

3. Locating County Right-of-Way on the Ground

 

	Hiring a professional land surveyor to locate or set property pins is the most accurate way to locate right-of-way.
	If you have a survey of your property, it should show existing property pins and the property/ROW line.
	In addition to acquiring the proper permits, always verify the property/ROW line location before installing a fence or landscaping to ensure that it will be on your property.  In special circumstances, the county may issue a License Agreement for private improvements, such as HOA signage, in county Right-of-Way.

4. Vacating County Rights-of-Way Please contact Planning & Zoning for more information. The vacation application form is available on their Web page. 5. I live adjacent to a roadway that the county plans to widen.  How will the County purchase ROW from me?  Right-of-Way Information Handbook? (Coming Soon)  6. Signs are not allowed in County Right-of-Way per Zoning Resolution Section 10.B.1.b 7. What gives a public agency the right to dig in my front yard? Find the answer in the Right-of-Way Regulations TIPS brochure from the Institute of Traffic Engineers. 8. Development of Land Along Streets Widened Since 1988      (ROW Acquisition Cost Reimbursement) Right-of-way purchased by the county from previous or current landowners on or after June 7, 1988 for Jefferson County street widening projects is subject to Section 33.A.7 of the Land Development Regulation.  This regulation requires the current landowner to reimburse the county for the ROW acquisition purchase, when the parcel from which the ROW originated from goes through the county platting, SDP or exemption from platting process.  The reimbursement is required even if the ROW was purchased from a previous owner.  If you plan to develop land adjacent to one of the streets on this list (coming soon), please contact Highways & Transportation ROW staff for further assistance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Modified: Feb 8, 2010 11:19 AM