A fence is not proof of a property line. A driveway that has been used for decades is not proof of an easement. A shed, addition or garage can look perfectly normal while still creating a boundary, setback or title question. When those issues matter, buyers may need an Improvement Location Certificate, commonly called an ILC, or a survey.
Colorado's residential contract includes a specific section for a new ILC or new survey. The parties can identify which is required, who orders it, who pays, the delivery deadline and the buyer's objection and resolution deadlines. That structure matters because boundary questions are most useful when discovered while the buyer still has contractual options.
An ILC is generally used to show the location of visible improvements in relation to apparent property boundaries and recorded matters. It is often useful for identifying potential encroachments or location concerns, but it should not automatically be treated as a substitute for a boundary survey when precise boundary establishment is needed.
A closer look can be particularly valuable when a property has unusual lot geometry, acreage, shared drives, additions near setbacks, fences that do not appear to align with neighboring lots, detached garages, retaining walls or improvements close to easements. Mountain and rural properties can add access, road and water-related issues as well.
Title work and survey work answer related but different questions. The title commitment identifies recorded rights, restrictions and exceptions. The ILC or survey helps show how the physical property relates to those matters. Reviewing both together can reveal a problem that neither document makes obvious by itself.
If a boundary or legal-access issue is important to the purchase, a licensed surveyor and, when appropriate, a real-estate attorney are the right experts. Sources: Colorado Real Estate Commission 2026 residential contract, Section 9, New ILC/New Survey; Colorado Division of Real Estate transaction guidance.
Related resources
Title Commitments in Colorado: What Buyers Should Actually Review
Unpermitted Work in a Colorado Home: What Buyers and Sellers Should Verify