Attorneys and paralegals who do pro bono work or who are involved in Colorado's legal aid community, law school faculty and students in public service clinics, and social service advocates involved in legal aid are encouraged to join. Non-members click on Civil Law and then on Join this Area. Current members click on 'Login', top right. Once a member, choose Civil Law.
Legislative Updates
Stay up-to-date with a summary of bills in the 2012 Colorado Legislative Session.
Colorado's Legal Needs Assessment Report
Colorado Legal Services has released it's Legal Needs Assessment report. Thanks to all Colorado Legal Services staff, volunteers and community members who helped make this report possible.
Tough Choices about Homelessness
"It's one thing to feel bad for homeless people; it's another to be forced into their shoes. Advertising agency McKinney has teamed up with Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD), a non-profit based in North Carolina, to create SPENT, an online game that guides users through what it feels like to be homeless" Read the full article here, and click here to try out the simulation.
Transitioning In and Out of Poverty
Slightly more than half of the U.S. population experiences poverty at some time before age 65. This report by the Urban Institute explores how, when, and why the condition of poverty is cyclical within our society as well as the long and short term trends of living in poverty.
What's New
Updated Making Home Affordable Handbook
This newest Making Home Affordable Program resource is for Servicers of Non-GSE Mortgages, and is intended to provide a consolidated resource for programmatic guidance related to the MHA Program for mortgage loans that are not owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (Non-GSE Mortgages).
NEW Court Form Preparation Interviews Available
Pro se litigants can use this program to fill out court forms for a Medicaid Appeal, get information about the Fair Housing Act, Modify or Restrict Parenting Time, and more!
2010 Census Information
Click here to see a selection of 2010 Census information that could be helpful for CLS staff and the legal aid community.
Time Calculation Changes to Colorado Rules - 1/12/12
Read the new rules regarding time calculations from the Colorado Supreme Court.
A Quick and Easy Method of Screening for Medicaid Eligibility under the Pickle Amendment
This provides an easy method for screening for Medicaid eligibility for current Social Security recipients who appear to have too much income to qualify for Medicaid. Click here to read more.
Address Confidentiality Program Updates
The Address Confidentiality Program has released updated information about there project. The Address Confidentiality Program Participant Handbook provides a detailed overview of the program. More information is also available in their November 2011 Newsletter.
December Fraud Alert!
A new fraud alert from the Denver District Attorney has been issued regarding Real Estate scams. Click on these links to read the English version or the Spanish version.
New PEAK Information Resources
There are two new resources available for PEAK information. One is a presentation from the Boulder County PEAK Outreach Team about PEAK, and the other is an informational flier in Spanish about how to apply for PEAK benefits.
Stolen Futures: A Snapshot on Child Identity Theft
A report on the frequency of child identity theft.
Unemployment Hearing Procedures
This document from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment explains procedures for an unemployment hearing. Topics include prehearing submissions, preparing for the hearing, postponement requests, subpoena requests and late appeals and failure to appear.
Supreme Court Directive Regarding LEP Court Access
Directive Concerning Language Interpreters and Access to the Courts by Persons with Limited English Proficiency. Click here to read the full document.
Memorandum between Colorado Judicial Department and United States
A memorandum agreement regarding an investigation into access to interpreters for LEP individuals. Click here to read the full document.
Disability and Divorce
A manual from Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. Click here to read the manual.
US Supreme Court Child Support Contempt Action
Click here to read this case from the US Supreme Court
Updated HELU Referral Protocol, June 23, 2011
Click here to read more about updated HELU Referrals.
Pro Se Divorce Waiver
A waiver provided at a pro se clinic on divorce - Click here to download a copy.
NCLC Reports Newsletter, Jan/Feb 2011
Debt Collections and Repossessions Edition. Special Issue on New Rule Preventing Bank Freezes of Exempt Federal Benefits. Read the newsletter here.
Discovery of Social Media
This paper by US Magistrate Kristen Mix explores the use of social media in discovery. Read the paper here.
Collaborative ID Project Assists Needy with Name Changes
Colorado Legal Services, along with two other non-profits and the Denver Department of Human Services, is managing a special project to assist low-income individuals who need help obtaining a state ID or a birth certificate. Learn more about the ID Project here.
VA's Homeless Veterans Hotline
The hotline, the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, provides emergency support and resources to homeless veterans. Learn more about the hotline and how to access it.
Colorado's Access to Justice Commission
The mission of the Colorado Access to Justice Commission is to develop, coordinate and implement policy initiatives to expand access to and enhance the quality of justice in civil legal matters for persons who encounter barriers in gaining access to Colorado's civil justice system. To learn more and/or to get involved please click here.
CO Nonprofit Pro Bono Group
This initiative of the Colorado Nonprofit Association, Colorado Lawyers Committee, and ProBonoUSA seeks to match nonprofit organizations in need of legal assistance with volunteer lawyers who can help. Learn more and become involved!
Pro Bono Attorneys & Clients: Strategies for Success
Click here for tips on how to more effectively work with your pro bono client.
Colorado Legal Services and Litigants Deemed Indigent under Chief Justice Directive 98-01 May Use E-file and Serve System at No Charge
Click here for the full story on the Colorado Judicial Branch website.
Upcoming Events
- 40 Hour Mediation Training Jan 30 - Jan 31
- Colorado Workers' Compensation Law Basics: Build Your Practice Eventor Webcast Feb 2
- Preventing Legal Malpractice -Litigation Practice Event or Webcast Feb 3
- Family-Based Immigration: An Introduction to Concepts and Procedures Seminar or Webcast Feb 6
- Deposition Skills Online Feb 8 - Feb 10
- View more
RSS Feed
- Former minors relieved of CalWORKs debt
- New COLAs and PICKLE chart
- IHSS 20% reduction in hours enjoined
- 2011 TANF benefits worth less than 1996
- Social Security Launches New Spanish Online Services
- General Assistance Safety Net Getting Weaker
- Court interpreter costs now recoverable in CA
- Poverty: The good news? There isn�t any.
- Percentage in �deep poverty� could hit record high
- Newly published: California Public Benefits Issues for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Clients
