Most Colorado landowners don't realize they might not own what's under their feet. When you bought that 40-acre parcel in Weld County or La Plata County, the deed probably mentioned a mineral reservation buried in the boilerplate. That reservation means someone else — or the federal government — owns the oil, gas, coal, and valuable minerals beneath your surface. Or you might be the opposite situation: you inherited a mineral interest with no surface rights at all. Either way, we buy both surface-only parcels and pure mineral interests statewide. Call 970-478-1022 and we'll tell you in 10 minutes what you actually own and what it's likely worth.
Colorado sits on some of the most valuable energy resources in the country: the DJ Basin (Weld County), the Piceance Basin (Garfield and Rio Blanco counties), the San Juan Basin (La Plata and Archuleta counties), and coalbed methane deposits across Las Animas County. But many surface landowners have no claim on any of it. Their minerals were severed decades ago — sometimes by the original patent from the federal government.
Mineral rights become separate from surface rights through a deed that either grants the surface but reserves the minerals, or explicitly conveys only the minerals. Common examples in Colorado:
Pull the chain of title at your county clerk and recorder. Read every deed for phrases like "reserving unto grantor all mineral rights" or "subject to existing mineral reservations of record." If you see those, you likely own surface only. A Colorado-licensed title company can run a mineral ownership search for $150–$500 depending on chain depth.
If you have a split estate and an oil company wants to drill on your surface, the COGCC has jurisdiction under C.R.S. § 34-60-106. The operator must give you advance notice, attempt a surface use agreement, and compensate you for actual surface disturbance — but they do not need your permission. Many surface owners sell to us specifically because they don't want to deal with a drilling operation on their land.
If you inherited a mineral interest but have no surface rights, COGCC production records tell the story. Active production means you're receiving royalty checks (typically 12.5–25% of wellhead revenue). Inactive or undeveloped acreage has speculative value based on proximity to active drilling, formation thickness, and operator interest. We buy mineral interests outright for a lump sum — trading the uncertain future royalty stream for cash today.
Our simple 3-step process makes selling your land fast and easy
Fill out our simple form or give us a call. Tell us about your property and what you're looking for.
We'll evaluate your property and present you with a fair, no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours.
Choose your closing date. We handle all the paperwork and cover closing costs. Get paid in as little as 7 days.
Weld County — DJ Basin (Niobrara/Codell): The most active oil county in Colorado. Net mineral acres with producing horizontals can trade at 50x–100x monthly royalties. Operators including Chevron and Civitas are active across the county. Undeveloped acreage in the core trades for $3,000–$8,000+ per net mineral acre.
Garfield County — Piceance Basin: Predominantly natural gas. Operators have pulled back during low gas prices, which has depressed undeveloped mineral values. Producing royalties still have value; undeveloped gas acreage trades for $100–$500/NMA in current market.
La Plata / Archuleta Counties — San Juan Basin: Active Mancos/Gallup shale gas plays and legacy CBM production. Values similar to Piceance for gas-dominated acreage.
Las Animas County: Coalbed methane and some conventional gas. We've bought mineral interests here at $200–$800/NMA for undeveloped acreage.
Whether you own surface, minerals, or both, see our related guides: Weld County land, Colorado water rights, and Colorado closing timeline.
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Get answers to common questions about selling your land
Not necessarily. Pull the chain of title at your county clerk and recorder. Look for "reserving all mineral rights," SRHA (Stock Raising Homestead Act of 1916) patent language, or prior mineral conveyances. Under C.R.S. § 38-30-165, mineral reservations in prior deeds bind every successor. A title company mineral search costs $150–$500 and gives you a definitive answer.
Yes. Surface rights and mineral rights are separate estates. You sell what you own — the surface. The buyer inherits split-estate status, including COGCC surface owner protections under C.R.S. § 34-60-127. The split estate may affect your sale price but does not prevent the sale.
Exactly like surface rights — through a deed recorded at the county clerk and recorder under C.R.S. § 38-35-109. A mineral deed conveys your interest to the buyer. You need a title company or attorney to prepare the legal description. We handle all of this when we buy.
The SOPA (C.R.S. § 34-60-127 through § 34-60-134) gives surface owners rights when oil and gas operators want to access their land: 90 days written notice, a mandatory attempt at a surface use agreement, and compensation for actual damages. Surface owners do not have veto power over drilling, but they have meaningful negotiating leverage.
It depends on production status, basin, and formation quality. Producing Weld County DJ Basin minerals can trade at $3,000–$8,000+ per net mineral acre. Undeveloped gas acreage in the Piceance is currently $100–$500/NMA. Inactive or speculative minerals in non-prospective areas may have minimal market value. Send us your parcel details and royalty statements for a real number.
The lease was likely signed by the prior mineral owner and runs with the mineral estate. If you actually own the minerals but found a lease you didn't sign, consult a Colorado oil and gas attorney immediately — there may be a title issue. If you own only the surface, the mineral owner had the right to sign that lease without your consent (subject to SOPA notice requirements for actual drilling operations).
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