Opinion ID: 2355739
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Final Decree Made the Injunction Order Obsolete

Text: In his briefs, Anderson attempts to persuade us that the injunction was still valid and enforceable against both Pursell and Sebesta. With regard to Sebesta, the Stipulation Agreement clearly dismissed the injunction. Thus, there was no way that Anderson could enforce it against Sebesta. See USI Props. E., Inc. v. Simpson, 938 P.2d 168, 173 (Colo.1997) (A party's participation in a stipulation incorporated into a decree precludes that party from advancing legal contentions contrary to the plain and unambiguous terms contained therein.). Against Pursell, the result is the same because the Final Decree takes precedence over the injunction. A preliminary injunction is a remedy that is designed to preserve the status quo and protect a plaintiff from sustaining irreparable injury and to preserve the power of the district court to render a meaningful decision following a trial on the merits. Rathke v. MacFarlane, 648 P.2d 648, 651 (Colo.1982). When a trial court grants or denies a preliminary injunction, it is not adjudicating the ultimate rights of the parties. Phoenix Capital, Inc. v. Dowell, 176 P.3d 835, 839 (Colo.App.2007). [F]indings made by a trial court after a preliminary injunction hearing are not determinative of the ultimate merits of the case. Id. (citing Carroll v. Stancato, 144 Colo. 18, 19-20, 354 P.2d 1018, 1019 (1960)). Instead, the trial court preserves its ability to render a decision after a full trial on the merits. Id. In Ireland v. Wynkoop, the court of appeals held that an injunction that pertained to matters that had subsequently proceeded to a final judgment was no longer in effect. 36 Colo.App. 205, 224-25, 539 P.2d 1349, 1361 (1975). The same situation is present here; the same matters in the injunction ultimately proceeded to a final judgment in the Final Decree. Therefore, because the injunction was no longer binding on either Sebesta or Pursell, we hold that Anderson's Motion to Enforce the injunction was substantially frivolous.