Federal · Title 16 — Conservation

16 U.S.C. § 117: Exclusive jurisdiction ceded to United States by Colorado; saving provisions; fugitives from justice

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute cedes exclusive jurisdiction of Mesa Verde National Park to the United States while preserving Colorado's authority to enforce civil and criminal process for acts occurring outside the park, collect taxes, and allow residents to vote.

Read the full statutory text

Sole and exclusive jurisdiction is assumed by the United States over the territory embraced and included within the Mesa Verde National Park, saving, however, to the State of Colorado the right to serve civil or criminal process within the limits of the aforesaid park in suits or prosecutions for or on account of rights acquired, obligations incurred, or crimes committed outside of said park; and saving further to the said State the right to tax persons and corporations, their franchises and property on the lands included in said tracts: and saving also to the persons residing in said park now or after April 25, 1928 , the right to vote at all elections held within the county or counties in which said tracts are situated. All the laws applicable to places under the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the United States shall have force and effect in said park. All fugitives from justice taking refuge in said park shall be subject to the same laws as refugees from justice found in the State of Colorado.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.