1801 California Street, Suite 4900
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303.894.6366
Fax: 303.894.9239

2009 Accomplishments

The Colorado Lawyers Committee enjoyed tremendous success for our clients in 2009. Thank you for all the wonderful volunteers and contributors who made this possible.

The Homeless ID Task Force monitored Colorado's new regulations regarding the issuance of IDs, represented homeless individuals through the legal process to obtain ID cards and identified systemic barriers facing homeless individuals in obtaining a Colorado identification cards, which are essential to secure housing, employment, or other services.

The Food Stamps Task Force examined issues related to the delay in processing food stamps applications in Colorado counties. The task force explored legal avenues to expedite receipt of essential food stamps for indigent individuals.

The Education Task Force continued to monitor Colorado's educational system and funding for K-12 education. Task Force members stared a new subcommittee of lawyers and community advocates to provide input to the Denver Public Schools regarding school closures, turnaround strategies, student retention, enrollment and academic performance. Task Force volunteers also assisted on Lobato v. State, the school finance litigation.

The Taylor Ranch Litigation Task Force implemented a court order opening the gates of the Taylor Ranch in the San Luis Valley to to plaintiff property owners who for 40 years had been denied access to the property to exercise traditional use rights to graze livestock and collect wood and timber.

The CBMS Task Force monitored problems associated with the State computer system that continues to impact the processing, receipt and delivery of public benefits in Colorado.

The Health Care Task Force monitored health care reform in Colorado and offered nonpartisan legal assistance to assure the legal viability of health care reform efforts in the state.

The Children's Task Force explored systemic issues relating to the treatment of children in Colorado.

The Mental Health Task Force studied barriers to mental health services for individuals in the criminal justice system. The task force partnered with community organizations, mental health providers and government officials to explore ways to expand mental health services in the state.

The Consumer Fraud Against Spanish-Speakers in Weld County Task Force was formed in 2009 to collaborate with local service provider organizations in Weld County to examine allegations of mortgage and consumer fraud. The Task Force conducted a systematic outreach effort to legal services providers in the Weld County area and conducted two direct legal outreach efforts with the Spanish-speaking community, including a booth at a two-day church bazaar and a “legal fair” for Spanish-speakers.

The Sixth Amendment Task Force was formed at the end of 2009 to address the possible unconstitutionality of a Colorado statute that requires individuals charged with a misdemeanor to meet with the prosecutor before counsel can be appointed for them.

The Public Benefits Investigators Task Force examined allegations of harassment, intimidation and other heavy-handed tactics employed by county officials charged with investigating cases related to the overpayment of public benefits.

The Hate Violence Teaching Tolerance Task Force presented mock trials based on Colorado's hate crimes/bias statute to more than 370 students in middle and high schools across Colorado.

The Legal Night Clinics provided legal information and referrals to over 2,200 people at two Denver locations.

Project Homeless Connect provided valuable legal information and referrals to over 323 homeless individuals, in partnership with the City of Denver and the Colorado Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Homeless Court, a component of Project Homeless Connect that resolves outstanding municipal tickets and warrants, was expanded. In 2008, 81 cases were completely resolved at Homeless Court.

The Colorado Innocence Project, a collaboration between the Colorado Lawyers Committee and the University of Colorado School of Law, investigated prisoner allegations of innocence to determine whether scientific or other evidence supports the prisoners' release.

The Election Task Force advanced a successful bipartisan effort to ensure access to the polls for all voters. Provided testimony to election officials encouraging the statewide recognition of tribal identification cards as a valid form of identification for voting purposes in Colorado.

The Immigration Task Force provided ongoing legal supervision to a San Luis Valley organization that assists immigrants.

The Nonprofit Working Group worked with community organizations to establish mechanisms to provide legal services and representation to nonprofits which serve children, the indigent and other underserved populations.

The Inclusiveness Task Force explored partnerships and other avenues to assure the inclusiveness of the Colorado Lawyers Committee and its activities.

2007 Accomplishments 2008 Accomplishments