Land Surveys:
 
Land Surveys serve several purposes such as:
1.) Establishing or re-establishing the boundaries of a tract of land.
2.) Recovering and/or setting new boundary monuments.
3.) To write property descriptions that accurately describe a tract of land.
4.) To determine the area of a tract of land.
5.) To uncover any conflicts with adjoining properties.

Basic Survey Procedures:
1.) Research:  Do a deligent search for documents such as deeds, surveys plats, highway right-of-   way maps, Bureau of Land Management Plats, monument records, ect.
2.) Field Survey: Gather field evidence such as existing monuments, lines of possession and any features that may be construed as the boundary line.
3.) Determination of Boundary Lines:  After carefully evaluating all the evidence, the surveyor will make a decision as to the location of the survey boundaries. He may accept or reject existing  corners based on legal principles, evidence and research.
 4.) Staking: Set all or any missing corner monuments.
 5.) Survey Plat: Draft a Survey Plat which will reflect the results of the survey.
 6.) Recording: The Plat will be deposited or recorded in the Clerk & Recorder's Office in the appropriate county.

Subdivision Surveys:
Since 1972, counties have been required to adopt subdivision regulations [CRS 30-28-133, et seq.] and they are optional for municipalities [CRS 31-23- 214, et seq.] As defined in CRS 30-28-101(10) for counties and CRS 31-23-201 (2) for municipalities, the term "subdivision" is any parcel of land which is to be used for condominiums, apartments, or any other multiple dwelling units, or which is divided into two or more parcels unless specifically excluded in the same section. Specifically excluded from the definition of subdivision within counties is any division of land resulting in parcels of 35 acres or more.
CRS 30-28-103, et seq.] authorizes counties to regulate land uses through zoning.

Divisions of Land fall under one of three categories: Subdivision Exemption, Minor Subdivision or Major Subdivision.

Subdivision Exemption: 
Depending on the County, a division of land may be exempt from subdivision regulation for several reasons such as, a single division of land, replats for land exchanges, hardships, court ordered divisions, transfers to a family member and as per CRS 30-28-133, divisions of 35 acres or more.

Minor Subdivision:
A Division of land creating 2 to 4 tracts of land. 

Major Subdivision:
A Division of land creating 5 or more tracts of land.