Otten Johnson's eminent domain practice group specializes in large, complex condemnation cases.  We represent landowners in urban, rural and mountain resort communities across Colorado whose property is being acquired by the government.  Backed by experienced and skilled trial lawyers, we take a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that there is a proper governmental purpose and authority to condemn and to obtain just compensation for our clients, in the event there is a taking.  The firm's internal expertise in land use, planning, real estate and constitutional law makes our eminent domain practice one of the largest and strongest in Colorado.  The firm has played a lead role in many of the largest condemnation actions in Colorado over the past twenty-five years and has been a leader in trial presentation, including trying many large cases to verdicts before juries.  The success of this group is also attributed to its creative and practical collaboration with a network of experienced and knowledgeable consultants in areas such as land use, planning, engineering, water law, hydrology, geology, economics and development.

Our lawyers regularly advise clients in all stages of eminent domain proceedings and in a variety of contexts.  Our clients include owners of various types of property, including development, transit, gravel operations, industrial, commercial, residential and agricultural property.  We handle direct condemnation, inverse condemnation and most matters involving defense of property rights.  Our eminent domain lawyers have represented clients in many contexts including:

• Regulatory takings
• Urban renewal takings
• Private takings
• Takings for highway widening and transportation expansion projects
• Acquisitions for open space and recreational purposes
• Acquisitions for drainage improvement projects and water and gas pipelines

Our eminent domain lawyers are also frequent lecturers at continuing legal education seminars as well as conferences and seminars relating to land use, planning, trial techniques and appraisal methodology.

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