Summary Judgment Cases In Colorado

Summary judgment is a drastic remedy, and such relief should be granted only if the moving party presents materials that demonstrate that no genuine controversy over a material factual issue exists and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Churchey v. Adolph Coors Co., 759 P.2d 1336 (Colo. 1988). Hence, the party against whom summary judgment is sought is entitled to every favorable inference that may be drawn from the historical facts. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan v. Sharp, 741 P.2d 714 (Colo. 1987). Therefore, if differing factual inferences may be drawn from those facts, summary judgment cannot be granted. O'Herron v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., 156 Colo. 164, 397 P.2d 227 (1964); Sewell v. Public Service Co., 832 P.2d 994 (Colo. App. 1991). Further, because a court rendering summary judgment does not engage in fact finding, our review of the court's ruling is de novo. Aspen Wilderness Workshop, Inc. v. Colorado Water Conservation Board, 901 P.2d 1251 (Colo. 1995).