All You Need to Know About Legal Aid in Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, access to justice is important for all residents; a key resource for this is legal aid. Legal aid ensures that low-income individuals and families can secure the necessary legal representation and support they need when facing significant challenges, including eviction, domestic violence, and other emergency situations. In the Colorado Springs area, there are several legal aid organizations dedicated to meeting the needs of the community. Some of these are supported through the United Way, which gives residents access to vital services, such as medical and financial assistance and financial literacy workshops . Pikes Peak United Way also provides Economic Success programming, which helps families find work and saves them money through free credit repair services and assistance with getting GEDs. The Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado Springs offers free or low-cost legal services to all Pikes Peak residents for issues concerning family law, tax, domestic violence, juvenile law, and more. The El Paso County Bar Association and the Colorado Springs Bar Association also offer various programs, including pro bono work and clinics, and free help in person and via telephone.
Legal Services Available
Navigating the complex legal system can be a daunting challenge for many, and trying to navigate it alone can leave you feeling overwhelmed and out of your depth. This is where a Colorado Legal services in Colorado Springs, CO offers crucial assistance to individuals who need it. These services can span a wide range of specialties, designed to offer guidance and legal support across various aspects of your life, from family to business.
Family law encompasses legal services related to marriage, divorce, child custody, and guardianship. Colorado Springs legal services in family law will help you navigate the complexities of all matters concerning the dissolution of a marriage, child custody disputes, child support, modification or enforcement of court orders, and property division. Their expert family law attorneys are dedicated to ensuring their clients’ interests and the best interests of children are both protected.
Housing matters can be equally complex, whether it’s renting, buying, or selling property, or dealing with issues like eviction or housing discrimination. Housing law legal services can provide guidance on navigating legal documentation, contracts, negotiations, and other housing-related legal disputes in Colorado Springs. A lawyer experienced in this branch of law can help you understand your rights and responsibilities as a landlord or a tenant, or offer legal advice when issues arise.
Consumer legal services can offer assistance in a range of areas, including debt collection, identity theft, personal bankruptcy, and repossession. These services can be invaluable for consumers facing financial difficulties or having to deal with aggressive debt collection agencies in Colorado Springs. A consumer rights lawyer can provide vital information on your rights as a consumer, mediate conversations with creditors, and advise on the appropriate steps to take when managing debt.
Immigration legal services provide assistance for several immigration-related matters including assistance with various visa types, naturalization, deportation or removal proceedings, asylum applications, green card applications, and other immigration-related issues. Seeking the assistance of an immigration attorney when dealing with these complex matters is highly recommended. Their experience allows them to guide you through the application process and represent you in matters where you may encounter obstacles.
These are just some of the types of legal services available in Colorado Springs, CO. Some may expand into other fields such as criminal law, probate, or even personal injury and medical malpractice. Regardless of the type of legal assistance you require, it is important to work with the right lawyer, to ensure your needs are met when dealing with legal issues that might arise.
Eligibility Requirements for Legal Aid
To qualify for legal services in Colorado Springs, individuals must generally meet specific eligibility criteria, including income and other conditions. Income eligibility is determined by comparing the individual’s annual household income to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) estimated median income for residents within the Colorado Springs area. Colorado Springs legal services may not be available to those with an income above 125% of HUD’s estimated median income.
In addition, some programs may have additional eligibility requirements. For example, while citizen status generally does not impact eligibility for legal services in Colorado Springs, some programs may impose this restriction to ensure underrepresented populations are prioritized. Similarly, limited funding makes some organizations restricted to serving only domestic clients – clients who are permanent, legal residents of the U.S. Many programs do not qualify resident refugees or asylum seekers for free legal assistance.
Individuals who do not meet the eligibility requirements may find other forms of assistance, such as pro bono representation.
Legal Aid in Colorado Springs: Top Organizations
Several legal aid organizations are accessible to Colorado Springs residents in need of pro bono legal services. These organizations provide crucial assistance for those most vulnerable, offering representation and support in various aspects of the law.
Colorado Legal Services (CLS) provides free civil legal services in all 22 judicial districts of Colorado. The organization’s Colorado Springs branch is located at 702 S Cascade Ave. For more than 90 years, CLS has offered services to low-income Coloradans in need of assistance with civil legal issues. While the local office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., clients seeking legal aid are advised to call for an appointment. Local number: (719) 471-0387 or statewide toll-free: (800) 527-4426.
The Colorado Springs and El Paso County Bar Association (CBA) supports a modest means program that helps low-income Coloradans access the legal system. The MLP schedules 20-minute appointments between low-income clients facing specific legal issues in need of assistance and attorneys willing to provide 20 hours of pro bono legal work in the following areas of law: Attorneys and clients meet at the CBA or a more convenient location to discuss the legal issue at hand.
The El Paso County Combined Court Pro Bono Program provides free legal help to low-income El Paso County residents who do not have a lawyer. Administered by the Self Help Center at the County Combined Courts’ Self Help Center, the program accepts only those legal issues defined as "Case Types with Legal Assistance" including guardianship, landlord/tenant, divorce, and debt collection. The center is located at 270 S Tejon St. and operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Southern Colorado Legal Support Offices provide access to CLS staff through three physical locations across the region – in Durango, Grand Junction, and Pueblo. The mobile Legal Resource Center visits Colorado Springs each month. The center offers clients confidential, individual, personal assistance and legal information on civil legal issues. Customers can also make in-person payments on cases. The center is located within the Pikes Peak Regional Building at 2880 International Circle. The center operates from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays.
The Colorado Judicial Center assists local residents by providing a wide range of self-help resources. The center is located within the El Paso County Combined Courts’ self-help center at 270 S Tejon St. and operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
How to Access Legal Aid
In Colorado Springs, if you’re looking to apply for legal services there are several steps that you must take. First, legal assistance programs determine eligibility through an application process. Colorado Legal Services (CLS) receives funding from various sources, including the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation, to provide a diverse array of free civil legal services. But this means that not everyone who seeks free civil legal aid qualifies to receive assistance. Eligibility is based on household size and income. For example, the yearly gross income limit for a family of four in 2018 was $60,700.00, and the 2019 income limits are about 14 percent higher than 2018 limits. Households with income above these limits do not qualify for free oral or written advice. Those seeking assistance from the civil law hotline should have their annual income available. Those who call are not charged any fees. Any individuals who want free legal advice at clinics are expected to meet prescribed guidelines. The court does not have an estimate of how many people are turned away each year. Community Legal Services in Colorado brings together, in one office, six nonprofit organizations—all who provide free civil legal services for Colorado’s low-income residents . We screen all applicants requesting help, and refer those who qualify to the appropriate sub-organization or office for help. To apply for assistance in Colorado Springs, at least one member of your household must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level for the size of your household, excluding very small amounts of income that are disregarded. The current poverty guidelines can be found at www.coloradolegalaid.org/communitylegalservicestakingtime. CLS is not involved in criminal matters, custody, divorce if one party is in a motion to transfer for fixing venue, license matters or school suspension cases. CLS does not take every case or every matter that we screen. We look at many types of factors, and the case must be within the mission of CLS, or mission of our local organization. Some of the types of cases we may turn away include: simple wills, name changes, emancipation of a minor, passports, birth certificates, post conviction work, and consumer matters such as refund requests. Based on our expertise, we believe these cases are best handled by a private attorney, not a legal aid office. We would also likely require a $500 retainer for matters that have a clear damages amount, and in no event would we represent someone for under $350 or $400. We may screen applicants out for other reasons, such as conflict of interest, or time restraints on one’s case.
Client Success Stories
For Jameson Mosley, a single mother of two living in Colorado Springs, the expenses piling up on her kitchen table were starting to become more than just a worry. Feeling overwhelmed and facing potential eviction due to unpaid rent and other mounting debts, Jameson needed more than just a solution—she needed help. That’s where Colorado Legal Services came in. "Working with the Family Law Section from Legal Aid of Colorado Springs allowed me to negotiate a manageable plan to keep my children in our home and avoid the fees and stress caused by bankruptcy," Jameson reported, "With their assistance I was able to legally settle my debts." From Immigration to Family Law, these advocates are fighting for the rights of real Colorado residents every day. Elizabeth Wiseman had been living with her family in Colorado Springs for over four years. Originally from Alaska, she had moved to Colorado for her husband’s job in the Air Force. Now, she was divorced from him and facing certain deportation back to her former state. She had a green card, but because she was no longer married to her husband, Elizabeth would have to leave the beautiful state of Colorado. "I’ve lived in three different states trying to make my marriage work and it did not, but I don’t want to leave the one we settled in to be close to our children. It’s all I’ve ever known," she explains. With nowhere else to turn, Elizabeth called her local Colorado Legal Services office to see if a lawyer could help her. Meeting with Suzanne in the Immigration Section proved to be a dream come true; as someone on the path to naturalization and permanent residence, Elizabeth could finally stay in Colorado with her children. "I’ve been sent around in circles for so long with my ex-husband and it took only three meetings with Suzanne to get my path to permanent residence started. That was more than I bargained for, but I’m so grateful," Elizabeth says. To learn more about how Colorado Legal Services can benefit you and your family, visit www.coloradolegalservices.org.
Other Helpful Resources
Additional resources and support are available for those seeking legal services in the area. The Colorado Legal Services organization provides extensive online resources, including guides and forms for a wide variety of issues, including housing, family law, and employment. You can access their resources here: http://www.coloradolegalservices.org/
The Second Judicial District also offers a self-help center where people can receive basic legal information, legal forms, and guidance on how to represent themselves in court. You can visit their website for more information on their services: http://www.courts.state.co.us/selfhelp/
For additional face-to-face support, Colorado Springs Legal Aid Services, Inc. offers legal help in many civil areas of the law at no or reduced cost to low- and moderate-income individuals and families. To learn more about their services and how to apply, please visit: www.courts.state.co.us/courts/cseca/index.cfm
Colorado Legal Services has also developed community-based projects focusing on specific populations in need , such as the Domestic Violence Advocacy Program, Elder Law Project, Family Preservation Project, Farmworker Project, Homeless Outreach Project, Immigration Representation Project, Nonprofit Enterprises Project, and the Senior Law Project. You may read about their projects and current priorities at: http://www.coloradolegalservices.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.dsp_home
Free legal workshops are held at the Downtown Service Center. Registration is required, and space is limited. More information is available here: https://coloradosprings.gov/lawtitleVI
In addition to the above support services, both the Pikes Peak Library District and the American Association of University Women offer presentations and materials related to legal services in Colorado Springs. To see a list of programs offered by the library, please visit: http://ppld.org/bookable-rooms. To learn more about AAUW and their cause, you can check out their website here: http://coloradosprings-co.aauw.net/.