Protecting the Public and Preserving Colorado’s Boundaries with Accurate Monument Records

Every accurate boundary in Colorado begins with one thing: a reliable monument. 

These survey markers anchor our property lines, guide development, and preserve the integrity of public land records. Whether set decades ago or freshly established, the importance of properly recording and maintaining these monuments is often overlooked. 

For surveyors, landowners, and even municipalities, understanding why monument records matter is essential to protecting the public and ensuring long-term accuracy across Colorado’s landscape.

What Are Monument Records?

Under Colorado Revised Statute §38-53-103(18), a public land survey monument (PLSM) is defined as “any land boundary monument established on the ground by a cadastral survey of the United States government, or any mineral survey monument established by a United States mineral surveyor and made part of the United States Public Land Records.”

These monuments form the physical foundation of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS).  Developed by the General Land Office (GLO), now called the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), this system was developed by the United States Government to to map and subdivide the land into sellable property for the pioneers and settlers throughout Colorado, as well as a large portion of the United States. 

A link to the historical archive maps and notes can be found here https://glorecords.blm.gov/ 

To maintain that system’s accuracy, professional land surveyors are required under §38-53-104, C.R.S. to file monument records whenever a monument is:

• Established

• Restored

• Rehabilitated

This is especially applicable if its description has changed or if no current record exists.

Why Do Monument Records Matter So Much?

A monument record is far more than a technical report. It’s an official record documenting a monument’s precise position, condition, and reference points (accessories). Each one helps ensure that future surveyors and property owners can locate that same corner with confidence, even decades later.

Without an updated record, those points risk being lost to time, leading to uncertainty in property boundaries and potential disputes. The Department of Regulatory Agencies’ AES Board takes this responsibility seriously, emphasizing that failure to set or record required monuments directly harms the public. 

Each unrecorded or misplaced monument weakens the historical chain connecting Colorado’s modern development to its original GLO/BLM land surveys. 

Our goal at Apex Land Surveying and Mapping LLC is to avoid such hangups and keep these monuments a timeless feature future surveyors can rely on.

How Do Monument Records Protect the Public?

Every monument record contributes to the public good. They protect property ownership rights, guide the placement of infrastructure, and ensure that new development aligns with existing boundaries. 

Accurate records also support public agencies when planning roads, utilities, and other improvements by confirming that every project respects established lines.

To safeguard that integrity, Colorado’s professional standards require monuments to meet strict physical guidelines. For example, set monuments must be:

• Metallic (¾” diameter ferrous monument minimum)

• At least 30 inches long

• Topped with a durable 2 inch metallic cap bearing identifying information

They must also include at least two reference accessories. These are secondary markers that make future monument recovery easier. 

These requirements ensure every point can be located, verified, and relied upon by future generations of surveyors.

Our Commitment to the Land Surveying Industry

At Apex Land Surveying and Mapping LLC, we work tirelessly to preserve Colorado’s survey network’s integrity. Each monument we recover, establish, or upgrade is recorded with the precision and documentation it deserves. Our team ensures every record we file upholds both Colorado law and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) standards.

Monument records are a safeguard for landowners and a cornerstone of public trust. Through careful documentation and professional diligence, Apex Land Surveying and Mapping LLC continues to help protect the public and preserve Colorado’s boundaries.

Want to learn more about monument records? Contact us directly!