Elkhorn Ranch and the White River National Forest in the State of Colorado

[Paul in Idaho]

Are any of you familiar with this land? Without knowing the history of this, it sounds like a giveaway of 148 acres.

LAND CONVEYANCE REQUIRED.—Consistent with the purpose of the Act of March 3, 1909 (43 U.S.C. 772), all right, title, and interest of the United States (subject to subsection (b)) in and to a parcel of land consisting of approximately 148 acres as generally depicted on the map entitled ‘‘Elkhorn Ranch Land Parcel–White River National Forest’’ and dated March 2015 shall be conveyed by patent to the Gordman-Leverich Partnership, a Colorado Limited Liability Partnership (in this section referred to as ‘‘GLP’’).

...
(d) TIME FOR CONVEYANCE; PAYMENT OF COSTS.— The conveyance directed under subsection (a) shall be completed not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. The conveyance shall be without consideration, except that all costs incurred by the Secretary of the Interior relating to any survey, platting, legal description, or other activities carried out to prepare and issue the patent shall be paid by GLP to the Secretary prior to the land conveyance.

http://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20170206/HR698.pdf

https://www.coloradostatesman.com/colorado-land-bills-reintroduced-congress/ says "The Elkhorn Ranch and White River National Forest Conveyance Act would resolve a costly title dispute between the federal government and private landowners. It would convey a small part of land near Rifle to property owners who have used and paid property taxes on the acreage for years."

 

[Oak]

A surveying error back around the turn of the 20th century caused this parcel to be mapped as National Forest land when it had already been patented and had been legally privately owned for decades. The landowners have continued to use and pay taxes on the land. It's not really a loss of public land, as it has been held privately. Just correcting a 100+ year old error.

 

[Paul in Idaho]

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[WestT]

Paul in Idaho, thanks for keeping your eyes peeled and catching this.

Oak, thank you for clarifiying and keeping the facts straight.

Pretty good system that's developed here on HT...