A majority of persons owning and operating mining claims in any mining camp or district whose aggregate valuation for the purpose of taxation within said district shall not be less than one-half the valuation for assessment of all mining claims and premises situated within the boundaries of the proposed drainage district may at any time file with the clerk of the district court of the county in which such claims or the larger part thereof are situated a verified petition addressed to the judge of said district court, praying for the organization of a mine drainage district. "Persons", as used in this article, includes partnerships, joint-stock associations, companies, and corporations.
C.R.S. § 34-51-101