Colorado Legal Services opens estimated 11,000 cases in 2023
Organization combats homelessness through eviction prevention
Jan. 29, 2024 (DENVER) – Colorado Legal Services opened 820 cases to provide legal help to low-income Coloradans in December and reports more than 11,000 cases opened in 2023. Colorado Legal Services is Colorado’s statewide legal aid nonprofit.
The organization’s monthly report estimates it opened 11,400 cases in 2023, though the number of cases closed and other details will be evaluated in its upcoming annual report.
In the monthly report, Colorado Legal Services highlighted its ongoing work to help Coloradans avoid homelessness. One method is through eviction prevention webinars, which are presented by several Colorado Legal Services attorneys. The organization also staffs several eviction clinics in county courthouses, where attorneys and dedicated staff provide legal advice, assistance with drafting and filing documents with the court and in some cases represent tenants in court. Colorado Legal Services also runs an eviction diversion program in Pueblo and provides representation around the state.
A critical piece of helping Coloradans remain in their homes is eviction prevention,” said Matt Baca, executive director of Colorado Legal Services. “For some, this means learning what their rights are and how to avoid eviction, contact resources for rental assistance, and navigate payments, but for others legal representation in court is key. We partner with other organizations and offer webinars, eviction clinics, and other assistance to those facing potential homelessness.”
Colorado Legal Services, in partnership with Colorado Housing Connects and Brothers Redevelopment, hosts monthly free webinars with information on the legal eviction process, renters/tenants’ rights, and insights into eviction prevention. Live Spanish translation is available. Registration is required, and webinars are listed on the Colorado Housing Connects website.
For eviction clinics, people who receive a summons should visit the courthouse on the answer date on their summons. For help before the answer date with an eviction issue, people can call 303-837-1313, go to applyonlinecls.org, or visit the Colorado Legal Services location nearest them.
Eviction clinics are in Arapahoe, Adams, Broomfield, and Denver county courts, and dates and times are as follows:
- Adams County: 8 a.m.-noon Wednesdays and Fridays
- Arapahoe County: 8 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
- Broomfield County: 8:30 a.m.-11 Thursdays
- Denver County: 8 a.m.-noon Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
Anyone needing advice on an eviction on their court date is asked to arrive early as clinics are first come, first serve.
Colorado Legal Services previously highlighted its ID Project, which also helps combat homelessness by helping people through the complicated process of obtaining identification documents, which are required to find housing, apply for benefits, and find work. Learn more about the project on the ID Project website. The organization’s eviction diversion program in Pueblo also helps people avoid eviction.
The top concerns from Coloradans in December were housing (413), family and safety (141), and consumer (112) matters. Housing matters could include defending against evictions; negotiating rent agreements with landlords to help people stay in their homes; helping tenants learn their rights regarding security deposits and conditions impacting the habitability of their homes; and directing clients to rental assistance and community resources. Family and safety matters include representation of domestic violence survivors in divorce, custody, and protection order matters.
About us
Colorado Legal Services is Colorado’s statewide nonprofit legal aid program providing civil legal assistance—which does not include criminal or traffic matters—to low-income individuals and older Coloradans throughout the state. Its 13 offices provide free legal assistance in a broad variety of legal areas, including eviction defense, consumer protection, services to survivors of serious crime and human trafficking, representation for domestic violence survivors, and many others.
Almost 1.4 million Coloradans qualify financially for CLS’s services. CLS’s current staff of 85 attorneys and 48 paralegals is supplemented by a robust private attorney involvement program. Learn more at www.coloradolegalservices.org.
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Media contact
Emily Wenger
Communications Director | Colorado Legal Services
Colorado Legal Services is supported in part by the Legal Services Corporation.