McCormick v. Union Pacific Resources Co.
Colorado Supreme Court
14 P.3d 346 (2000)
- Written by Sara Rhee, JD
Facts
The McCormicks (plaintiffs) own deeds to five properties previously owned by Union Pacific Resources Company (UPRC) (defendant). The deeds contain reservations for “other minerals” located within or underneath the land. The UPRC claimed that “other minerals” included the oil and gas located beneath the McCormicks’ property. The McCormicks sued to quiet title in the subsurface minerals. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the UPRC, holding that, in Colorado, the term “other minerals” was unambiguous and included all subsurface valuable substances. The court of appeals affirmed but restricted the trial court’s holding to oil and gas, since only those minerals were at issue.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Hobbs, J.)
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