It is the duty of the state board of land commissioners to select and locate all lands which are on or after March 31, 1919, granted to this state by the general government, for any purpose whatever, and the board shall take the necessary steps to secure the approval of such selections by the proper officers of the general government. In making such selections, the board may employ such agents and means as may be necessary to acquaint the board with the character of the lands selected; and the board may provide to have the lands belonging to the state classified and appraised.
C.R.S. § 36-1-105