Chapter 34 - § 34.1 • IN GENERAL

• Jurisdiction: Colorado

§ 34.1 • IN GENERAL

Dedication is the appropriation of an interest in land, by the owner of the interest, to a public use.¹ (Property dedicated for a particular purpose cannot be used for another purpose.² ) Dedication is to be distinguished from grant or prescription.³ A dedication of land to public use may be made either according to the common law, or in pursuance of statute.⁴ A common-law dedication may be either express or implied.⁵

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Notes:

^[1] Fortner v. Eldorado Springs Resort Co., 230 P. 386 (Colo. 1924); Hand v. Rhodes, 425 P.2d 292 (Colo. 1952); Turnbaugh v. Chapman, 68 P.3d 570 (Colo. App. 2003). Cf. Page v. Lane, 211 P.2d 549 (Colo. 1949) (referring to subdivider as "specifically dedicating certain portions of the land as avenues to the use of the occupants of the platted tracts").

^[2] McIntyre v. Bd. of County Comm'rs of El Paso County, 61 P. 237 (Colo. App. 1900).

^[3] Fortner v. Eldorado Springs Resort Co., 230 P. 386 (Colo. 1924).

^[4] City of Denver v. Clements, 3 Colo. 472 (1877); Fortner v. Eldorado Springs Resort Co., 230 P. 386 (Colo. 1924).

For the dedication of land in the City of Denver as a park and its subsequent transfer to a school district, see Friends of Denver Parks, Inc. v. City & County of Denver, 2013 COA 177.

^[5] Starr v. People, 30 P. 64 (Colo. 1892); Fortner v. Eldorado Springs Resort Co., 230 P. 386 (Colo. 1924).