Ossman v. Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Co.

We granted certiorari to review the decision of the Court of Appeals in Ossman v. Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Co., 32 Colo. App. 230, 511 P.2d 517 (1973). The Court of Appeals, in reversing the judgment of the trial court, held that an entity which has the statutory power of eminent domain cannot be held liable for a non-intentional trespass where the trespass occurred while such entity was pursuing a public purpose. We disagree and hold that a landowner has a right to sue in trespass even though the trespasser may have the statutory power of eminent domain with respect to the land…