Colorado Lawyers Committee Projects

The work of the Colorado Lawyers Committee is accomplished by lawyers and others who are concerned about providing and increasing opportunities for children, the poor, and other disadvantaged communities through advocacy, negotiation, and litigation.

The Colorado Lawyers Committee currently has more than 15 Task Forces working on projects in the areas of civil rights, education, immigration, community development, criminal law, and poverty and public benefits.

A number of these task forces need additional volunteers. Substantive expertise is not required. Lawyers and non-lawyers interested in volunteering should contact the individual task force chairs or the Executive Director of the Colorado Lawyers Committee.

You can also view our 2008 Accomplishments and our Other Current Projects.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Children's Task Force

This Task Force was created to focus the efforts of Colorado Lawyers Committee volunteers on issues relating to children, one of two populations that are the primary focus of Lawyers Committee efforts. The Task Force examines deficiencies in the child welfare system in Colorado and explores possible legal and other remedies. Anyone interested in children's rights issues is invited to participate. This Task Force is chaired by David Stark (Faegre & Benson LLP).

Education Task Force

The Colorado Lawyers Committee has a long history of working to improve educational opportunities for children in Colorado. Task Force volunteers are closely monitoring developments in Colorado's state budget crisis to assure continued adequate funding for Colorado's schools. The Task Force is also examining educational issues to determine if legal solutions might improve education for Colorado's children. Anyone interested in K-12 education is invited to participate. Craig Stewart (Holland & Hart LLP) and John Walsh (Hill & Robbins, P.C.) co-chair this Task Force.

Election Task Force

The Election Task Force was formed in 2004 to monitor the election process and ensure protection of minority voting rights. The Task Force works closely with the Secretary of State's office, the Republican and Democratic parties and other key political constituencies. Anyone interested in election access issues is invited to participate. The Task Force is co-chaired by Gale Miller (Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP) and Richard Westfall (Hale Friesen, LLP).

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Food Stamps Task Force

This Task Force examines the delay in processing food stamps applications in certain Colorado counties. According to federal regulations, a general application for food stamps must be processed within 30 days of receipt of the application. In certain areas of the state, individuals and families experience lengthy delays that far exceed the 30 day requirement. Due to these long delays, many people living in Colorado are struggling to feed themselves. Litigators and those interested in food stamps benefits are invited to participate. Eric Elliff (Morrison & Foerster LLP) chairs this Task Force.

Hate Violence Task Force
(Teaching Tolerance Program)

Colorado Lawyers Committee volunteers present trials based on a fictional case arising from a violation of Colorado's hate/bias crimes statute (formerly the ethnic intimidation statute). At the conclusion of the trial, small discussion groups of students become "juries" to discuss the issues presented and, with the assistance of an adult facilitator, reach a verdict. The students become very engaged in the discussions of tolerance and the value of speaking out against intolerance and injustice. As a result of several generous grants, a video of the mock trial and a curriculum were developed to allow rural schools to benefit from this program. The program needs volunteers to serve as prosecutors, defense attorneys and facilitators. This is a great chance for lawyers to practice their advocacy skills in front of a live audience and for non-litigators and non-lawyers to be involved in a fun activity that makes a difference. This Task Force is chaired by Tarek Saad (Holland & Hart LLP).

Health Care Task Force

This Task Force monitors the legislative and executive efforts to implement health care reform and explores avenues for input. Anyone interested in health care issues is invited to participate. This Task Force is chaired by Rich Hennessey (Pendleton Friedberg Wilson & Hennessey P.C.).

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Legal Night Clinics

This Task Force co-sponsors, with the Denver Bar Association, two monthly Legal Nights which offer participants legal resource information and referrals. Legal Nights are held on the first Wednesday (at Centro San Juan Diego) and the third Tuesday (at Mi Casa Resource Center for Women) of every month from 5:00 to 7:30 P.M. Lawyers and Spanish-speaking interpreter volunteers are needed (no substantive expertise is required). Tim Macdonald (Arnold & Porter LLP) chairs this Task Force.

Mental Health Task Force

This Task Force examines significant issues that relate to the delivery of mental health services for children and the underprivileged in Colorado and explores ways to increase access to such services. Recent projects have included legislation to assure that soon-to-be-released inmates continue to receive necessary mental health assistance after their release and an amicus brief in support of prisoners (in El Paso County Jail) with serious Mental Health issues. Anyone interested in mental health issues is invited to participate in this Task Force. John Voorhees (Patton Boggs LLP) and Iris Eytan (Reilly Pozner LLP) co-chair this Task Force.

Nonprofit Working Group

This Task Force has undertaken several activities designed to provide legal support for Colorado’s nonprofit organizations. The Task Force works with community organizations to establish mechanisms to provide legal services and representation to nonprofits which serve indigent and other underserved populations. Real estate and transactional lawyers as well as other non-litigators are needed. Peter Schwartz (Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP) chairs this Task Force.

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Project Homeless Connect

Since December 2005, the Colorado Lawyers Committee has coordinated the legal component for Project Homeless Connect, a one-day event sponsored by the City of Denver that connects homeless individuals to services including: public benefits, medical care, housing and employment opportunities and legal assistance. Volunteer attorneys, paralegals and law students provide legal information and referrals to homeless participants. Many volunteers also assist with the "Homeless Court" which is held as part of the event and allows individuals to resolve outstanding warrants for violations of Denver’s City Ordinance. The Colorado Lawyers Committee co-sponsors this effort with the Colorado Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel. Attorneys, paralegals and law students are invited to participate. The co-chairs of this Task Force are Peter Schwartz (Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP), Tim Macdonald (Arnold & Porter LLP) and Len Segreti (Qwest Communications Corp.).

Public Benefits Investigations Task Force

This Task Force was created to examine the actions of county employees harged with investigating cases related to the overpayment of public benefits. In certain areas of the state, some investigators employ heavy-handed tactics (intimidation, bullying, impersonating officers and threatening arrest) when conducting investigations. The Task Force is currently investigating the factual allegations and researching federal and state law. Anyone interested in public benefits or administrative law is invited to participate. Tucker Trautman (Dorsey & Whitney LLP) and Laura Hazen (Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe, PC) co-chair this Task Force.

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OTHER LAWYERS COMMITTEE PROJECTS

Colorado Innocence Project

This Task Force was inspired by similar projects around the country designed to provide legal representation for prisoners whose innocence can be established by scientific or other evidence. The Project is a coalition of Lawyers Committee attorneys, defense attorneys, and law school representatives. The Innocence Project is screening several cases to determine whether pro bono representation is appropriate. Jim Scarboro (Arnold & Porter LLP) chairs this Task Force.

Computer Benefits Management System (CBMS)

Since August 2004, the CBMS Task Force has been involved in litigation with the State regarding the new public benefits computer system that has resulted in serious and life-threatening problems for individuals whose applications for benefits are not being properly or timely processed. In December 2004, the Court ordered the State to meaningfully reduce the backlog of benefits applications, substantially correct the notice problems, establish an 800 number for people in emergency situations, and handle these emergency matters within 5 business days. The Task Force continues to monitor the State’s progress and compliance with the court’s order. Mike Cook (Sherman & Howard L.L.C.) and Ed Kahn (Colorado Center on Law and Policy) continue to lead this Task Force with assistance from lawyers in a number of other law firms and organizations.

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Disability and Medicaid Screening Task Force

Under the federal Social Security Act, a State agency, Disability Determination Services (DDS), has responsibility for screening applicants for social security disability and for eligibility for Medicaid. The screening process is governed by regulations that require DDS to weigh heavily the findings of the applicants' treating physicians. Over the past 10-15 years, Colorado has dropped to the third lowest state in the country in terms of its disability benefit allowance rate. The initial acceptance rate has dropped from 42% to 31%. More than half of these denials are overturned on appeal. This Task Force is investigating the dramatic reduction in approval percentages and is exploring avenues to reverse the trend (including assuring that DDS is complying with its obligation to give deference to treating physician recommendations). Increased delays in review of applications and appeals are also of concern. Recently the Task Force authored an article for the journal of the Colorado Medical Association to educate doctors about disability determinations. The Task Force is currently working with state officials to negotiate changes in approval procedures. Larry Theis (Holme Roberts & Owen LLP) and Larry Volmert (Holland & Hart LLP) co-chair this Task Force.

Homeless ID Task Force

This Task Force identifies systemic barriers facing homelss individuals in obtaining a Colorado identification card, which limits their ability to secure housing, employment and other services. Volunteer lawyers are needed to represent homeless individuals who have been unable to obtain an ID card. To participate, please contact Lindsay Unruh (Reilly Pozner LLP) lunruh@rplaw.com

Immigration Task Force

The Colorado Lawyers Committee actively supports the efforts of the Immigrant Resource Center in the San Luis Valley. The Center provides information and assistance for the sizeable number of immigrants in the area. The Center serves a geographically remote area that is home to more than 40,000 permanent residents and 10,000 migrant and seasonal workers. The population is almost 50% Hispanic, and there are more than 500 Canjaoba'l Indians in the San Luis Valley. It is one of Colorado's poorest regions, with much of the population living below the poverty level. This Task Force oversees the services provided by Immigrant Resource Center, trains the Center staff (of non-attorneys) and provides referrals to pro bono attorneys. Emily Curray (Stern Elkind Curray & Alterman LLP) chairs this Task Force.

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Taylor Ranch Litigation

The dispute about access to the 77,500 acre parcel originated with promises made in the mid 1800's that Mexican settlers on the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant would have access to the mountainous regions near their homes for uses necessary for their survival. In 1960, Jack Taylor purchased and began to fence off land which had been used for grazing, timber, and wood gathering for more than 100 years, causing enormous disruption to the economic and social fabric of the local communities. The Colorado Lawyers Committee became involved in 1996 and has seen the case through federal court review, two trials, and both appeals. In an historic opinion, the Colorado Supreme Court in 2002 upheld the rights of plaintiff property owners in and around San Luis, Colorado to exercise traditional use rights to graze livestock and collect wood and timber on the property known as "La Sierra" or the Taylor Ranch. Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court was denied in 2003. Implementation of the Supreme Court decision is now underway at the trial court level in Costilla County District Court. The focus of these proceedings is identification of those individuals with valid access claims to the Taylor Ranch property. To date, the district court has held at least 10 hearings and granted more than 1,200 individuals access to some or all of the property. A number of attorneys have been actively involved in this litigation. For additional information, contact Tom Stoever (Arnold & Porter LLP).

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Young Advocates Network

The Colorado Lawyers Committee began a new project in 2006 designed to encourage participation by less experienced lawyers in Lawyers Committee activities. The Young Advocates Network includes one associate or junior partner in each of the law firms that support the Lawyers Committee. These Young Advocates will encourage and invite other younger lawyers in their firms to become active in Lawyers Committee activities. Jennifer Hunt (Hill & Robbins, P.C.) chairs the Young Advocates Network Steering Committee.

We regret that we do not have the resources to provide assistance in individual cases. We suggest you contact Colorado Legal Services at 303-837-1321 or at Colorado Legal Services

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