Public Law 72–186

That the Secretary of the Interior, in his judgment and discretion, is hereby authorized. after due inquiry to issue patents in the manner hereinafter provided, for any of those lands situated in the State of Colorado which were, as a result of the adjustment of the land grant to Leavenworth, Pawnee and Western Railroad Company to which the Union Pacific Railroad Company succeeded, restored to the public domain by the Secretary of the Interior on May 20, 1931, to be disposed of under existing applicable public land laws.

Sec. 2.

That any person, association, corporation, or municipality

Preference right of present owners or occupants.

which, in good faith under color of title prior to the date of said restoration, placed valuable improvements upon, occupied, or cultivated, or otherwise exercised dominion over any of the lands so restored, or who on or since said date of restoration became the grantee, transferee, or assignee of such person, association, corporation, or municipality, shall have a preference right to purchase the lands so held by him upon the filing of an application therefor

Payment.

and payment of $1.25 per acre, or fraction thereof within six years from the date of the passage of this Act: Provided, That upon any

Provisos.

Waiver of payment.

such application filed within three years from the date of the enactment hereof payment of said $1.25 per acre is hereby waived. Every such application must be accompanied with satisfactory proof that

Evidence required.

the applicant is entitled to such preference right, and that the lands which he applies to purchase are not in the legal possession of an adverse claimant: Provided further, That any such applicant may,

Title.

if he so elects, perfect his title under any applicable public land law, if qualified thereunder.

Sec. 3.

That the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to issue

Rules to be prescribed.

all necessary rules and regulations for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act.