As a real estate broker in Evergreen, Colorado, the potential implications of a county seizing a landowner’s property for no legitimate reason is concerning. It sets a dangerous precedent, and if it can happen to one person, it could happen to anyone. The government should only take private land if it is genuinely for the good of the community and its citizens. Easing access to a creek for recreational purposes is not enough reason to justify taking someone’s land. As real estate professionals, it is our responsibility to speak out against such actions and ensure that our clients understand the importance of property rights. It’s important that we all stand up against this type of government overreach and fight to protect private property rights. The fact that some news outlets are siding with the government is alarming and a sign that we must remain vigilant in our efforts to protect our rights. If we don’t speak out, we could all become victims of unjust property seizures like what happened to Taralyn Romero. We must support her and sign the petition calling on the Jefferson County Commissioners to drop the case against her.
UPDATE MAY 2023: There has been a settlement. Read more here:
https://foothillsrealproperty.com/taralyn-romero-vs-jefferson-county-and-kittredge-park-update-may-2023
Jefferson County Commissioners seem to have a strange unhealthy obsession here. They are digging in to steal property from a private homeowner on behalf of other people in the neighborhood. It is one of the most disturbing things I have seen in decades. Not sure Jefferson County even believes they have the legal grounds for this.
Let’s talk a little about What is the difference between adverse possession and eminent domain in Colorado?
Eminent domain and adverse possession differ primarily in their initiation, where eminent domain is triggered by the government, while adverse possession is initiated by a private individual. The former is utilized for public purposes and mandates compensation to the property owner, while the latter allows an individual to acquire property ownership without payment. Another contrast lies in the scope of the property taken, with eminent domain involving the whole property and adverse possession only pertaining to the portion used by the claimant.
As a Real Estate Broker the Most Important Thing That Transfers in A Real Estate Transaction is Private Property Rights.
Real estate agents sell more than 4 walls and a roof. We transfer the bundle of property rights. One of the most important rights you have is protection against the government coming in and stealing your land on behalf of grifting neighbors.
What is Stopping Jefferson County From Attacking You?
If Jefferson County has an adverse possession case against Taralyn they have a case against you! People always shrug off when the government comes after their neighbor not realizing these Jefferson County Board of Commissioners are just power-hungry politicians just like all the other destroying our country. Once they set precedent to be able to cease private property we are done as a community.
UPDATE January 14th 2023:
This story just gets more strange by the the minute. Apparently 9News is reporting there is now more legal drama with this case. We will not be weighing in on those. Our focus is personal property rights and that is all. It is wrong for the government to take your property for that purpose. Recreational purpose is not good reason to take property “for the better of the community”…. Especially not the county.
Real Estate Property Rights Are Not Optional – They are required!
As a real estate broker in Evergreen, Colorado in Jefferson County, I must say it scares me that the county can do this to a landowner. Is this a new precedent? Will I need to disclose to buyers?
When I hear stories like Taralyn’s I say to myself “If they can come for Taralyn Romero’s land they can come for ANYONE’S land”. This should terrify everyone that hears about this land grab by a local government for no other reason than “mob rules”. There will always be people that think the government has the right to take away people’s private property just because they want to use. It would be different if it was a case of the government taking away the land if it is truly for the good of the community. If the community could not function properly without that land. I do not believe giving people easier access to a creek for recreational purposes is a legit reason to steal someone’s land. I think the community will function just fine without this property.
Why Real Estate Brokers Need to Speak Up
Every single real estate broker and agent should join in on this fight! A person can not be a real estate agent and not find this to be absolutely appalling. Stealing land from private property owners is something every single should be against. If you find a real estate agent that doesn’t thing this is appalling, you need a new agent because the do NOT understand real estate or what they are actually helping clients buy. You aren’t just buying a home you are buying the rights to KEEP that home when that title transfers. Any agent that doesn’t understand that should lose their license. Jefferson County Commissioners should NOT have the authority to do this to a landowner. Our schools are cutting bus routes and we are suing private landowners for a “swimmin’ hole?”
The fact the Denver New Channel is against the homeowner tells you exactally who you should side with. It isn’t the Jefferson County
What is the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Really Doing Here?
Attention: County seeks “adverse possession” to seize land from Jefferson County property owner
Interest: Taralyn Romero on her 8-acre lot in Kittredge Park Desire: To get married and start a family, without being sued by her own county
Action: Please sign the petition calling on the Jefferson County Commissioners to drop this case. If enough of us speak out, we can stop them before they get away with this.
Jefferson County Colorado After homeowner blocks creek access to park visitors, the county seeks ‘adverse possession
As a real estate broker in Jefferson County, I must say it scares me that the county can do this to a landowner. Is this a new precedent? Will I need to disclose to buyers?
Can Jefferson County Colorado Steal Your Land Too?
When I hear stories like Taralyn’s I say to myself “If they can come for her land they can come for ANYONE’S land”. This should terrify everyone that hears about this land grab by a local government for no other reason than “mob rules”.
Every single real estate broker and agent should join in on this fight! A person can not be a real estate agent and not find this to be absolutely appalling. Jefferson County Commissioners should NOT have the authority to do this to a landowner. Our schools are cutting bus routes and we are suing private landowners for a “swimmin’ hole?”
The fact the Denver New Channel is against the homeowner tells you exactally who you should side with. It isn’t the Jefferson County
For 35 years, the public had accessed Bear Creek through a plot of land next to a community park. Recently, though, another person cut off access because she owns this property.
KITTREDGE, Colo. —
Neighbors in this quaint community are divided over a dispute between Jefferson County and the homeowner who blocked access to a creek she claims runs through her property.
Taralyn Romero Owns the Property and still Has Rights!
For 35 years, visitors to Kittredge Community Park had been able to access Bear Creek by way of a plot of land next door. However, this changed in April when heated exchanges between some parkgoers and new neighbors led the latter group to erect a fence cutting off public access via their property.
Shortly after Taralyn Romero roped off the land, Jefferson County filed a lawsuit against Romero and her fiancé to obtain the land through “adverse possession” or through an injunction. It is the county’s contention that the property is a public easement. In addition, Jefferson County Attorney Michael Rourke said it would be extremely difficult for Romero to prove adverse possession if she were to take the case to court.
When Did Taralyn Romero Buy the Property? Did Jefferson County EVER own The Property?
Romero said when she bought the property in March 2021, she didn’t know that the land was historically and traditionally used by the public for access to Bear Creek. Romero said she is willing to negotiate a settlement with the county, but that it would have to be done in court.
Romero showed the NEWS old maps and surveys indicating that her plot of land extends beyond the creek to where park visitors have access.
Part of the property fight is the disputed boundary between Romero’s land and the park. The county contends in its lawsuit that the creek should be the boundary; however, the creek has moved south over the years. Romero said she has taken a stand against the county to protect her property rights and to prevent other residents from being forced off their land. Romero said if the government can take her land without compensation, then it could do so with anyone’s land in unincorporated areas as well.
Romero has Plat Maps of the Kittredge Park
Romero argues that her surveys and maps show that despite the creek’s changing position, her plot of land hasn’t changed. Dickson said he sees “both sides” of the issue—that while parks were designed to have access to creeks, landowners should be able to exercise property rights when necessary.
Romero said the county has used her case as an example of what can happen when people don’t comply with its land-use policies. She said she was told by a county official that if she had “played ball,” then they would have allowed her to keep her property. Romero said she’s not against parks but believes government should compensate property owners for taking their land—something that doesn’t happen often enough, she added.
Although most people in Kittredge are unhappy about Romero’s presence, the large and sympathetic following she has built up on her TikTok page allows her to share anecdotes of (and receive sympathy for) living with a large crowd while battling against local government.
@wickedwitch_ofthe_west This man has his identity wrapped up in dirt someone else has always ownerd… and is handling it like a child. #kittredgeparkdrama ♬ original sound – WickedWitch_ofthe_West
This man has his identity wrapped up in dirt someone else has always ownerd… and is handling it like a child. #kittredgeparkdrama ♬ original sound – WickedWitch_ofthe_West
[…] domain is the power of the government to take private property for public use, with compensation to the property owner. This power is based on the concept of “public […]