Common Questions About the Law
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COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LAW
Following are some of the most common topics for which there are questions about the law. Phone numbers for the agencies listed may be found in the first part of this booklet if they are not listed below.
| CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT |
Reporting: Social Services, 24 hour line: 303-441-1240
Legal Representation of parents: Boulder District Courts |
| BOULDER COUNTY CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT UNIT |
303-678-6300 |
| CONSUMER COMPLAINTS |
Boulder Cty. Legal Svcs. or D. A.'s Office |
| CRIMINAL MATTERS |
Reporting |
Police Department |
Felony, juvenile, misdemeanor |
Public Defender |
Traffic, Municipal Court |
BCBA's Find A Lawyer |
Victim Compensation/Restitution |
District Attorney's Office |
DUI and DWAI |
District Attorney's Office
Student Legal Services for CU students only |
|
| DIVORCES |
Handling your own ("pro se"): Boulder County Legal Services
YWCA
Family Law Court Facilitator: Monica Haenselman, 303-441-3739 |
| LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES |
Community Mediation Service
Boulder County Legal Services |
| MENTAL HEALTH COMMITMENT |
Boulder District Court
Boulder County Attorney |
| PATERNITIES |
Child Support Enforcement 303-441-1070 |
| PUBLIC ASSISTANCE/WELFARE RIGHTS |
Boulder County Legal Services |
| SMALL CLAIMS COURT |
303-441-3750 |
| SOCIAL SECURITY/MEDICAID |
Boulder County Legal Services
Social Services 303-441-1000
Social Security Administration 1-800-772-1213 |
| UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION |
Benefits Information Unit 1-800-894-7730 |
ACCESS COUNSELING
Boulder, CO
Phone: 303-546-9100; Longmont site 303-776-8211
Shared Parenting: 303-546-9100
Fax: 303-449-7902
www.accessboulder.org
info@accessboulder.org
Access Counseling provides early intervention counseling, education and referral services to adult individuals, families, couples, children and adolescents in Boulder County regardless of their ability to pay. We seek to strengthen our community by helping people develop the skills they need to resolve difficult life situations before they escalate into more serious problems. We operate on a sliding-fee scale. Access also offers a Shared Parenting Program for safe exchange of children for visitation; also supervised parenting.
BLUE SKY BRIDGE, CHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM
303-444-1388
P. O. Box 19122
Boulder, CO 80308
www.blueskybridge.org
info@blueskybridge.org
Blue Sky Bridge is a child and family advocacy program dedicated to providing a comprehensive approach to child abuse investigation and child sexual abuse prevention. Services include: forensic interviews, case management, advocacy andchild abuse training for professionals.
BOULDER CITY ATTORNEY
Municipal Building
P. O. Box 791
Boulder, Colorado 80306
303-441-3020
www.bouldercolorado.gov/cao
The Office of the Boulder City Attorney advises and represents the City Council of Boulder, Boards and Commissions, and City departments in all legal matters involving these entities. This office also drafts ordinances for the City Council's approval. Additionally, this office prosecutes violations of municipal ordinances. Parties involved in landlord/tenant and community disputes may request mediation services through the Housing and Human Services Department at 303-441-4364. 24-hour citizens' information line is available at 303-441-4060. Call 303-441-3025 for municipal court prosecution matters.
BOULDER COUNTY AIDS PROJECT (BCAP)
303-444-6121 ext. 105 - English
303-444-7181 - Spanish
2118 14th Street
Boulder, CO 80302
82 Twenty-First Ave., Suite C
Longmont, CO 80501
303-774-8827
www.bcap.org
The mission of the BCAP is: to provide support, advocacy and education to those in our community who are infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS; and to serve as an outreach and informational center to prevent the further transmission of HIV. Client services include case management, housing assistance, food market, emergency financial assistance, pro bono professional services, buddy programs, treatment advocacy, and spiritual support. Pro bono legal services are provided by over 50 volunteer attorneys who represent clients in a variety of areas including wills, powers of attorney, criminal, family, discrimination (ADA), immigration and benefits.
BOULDER COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
1942 Broadway, Suite 205
Boulder, Colorado 80302
Telephone 303-440-4758
www.boulder-bar.org
The Boulder County Bar is a voluntary membership organization of attorneys practicing in Boulder County. It provides educational programs to its members, the community, the school district, the media and public interest organizations. The Bar arranges speaker presentations for community groups at no charge. A Professionalism Committee is available to respond to clients who have ethical questions with their legal representation. It does not refer lawyers or give legal advice but maintains a Find A Lawyer section on their website for consumers to find Boulder County lawyers.
BOULDER COUNTY LEGAL SERVICES (BCLS)
315 W. South Boulder Road, Suite 205
Louisville, Co 80027
Telephone 303-449-7575
www.ColoradoLegalServices.org
Boulder County Legal Services, an office of Colorado Legal Services, is a private, non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide meaningful access to high quality civil legal services in the pursuit of justice for as many low income persons and members of vulnerable populations throughout Colorado as possible. BCLS provides legal assistance through its staff attorney; pro bono coordinator; secretary/receptionist; approximately 10 volunteer paralegals; and a cadre of approximately 300 private, volunteer lawyers to whom clients are referred, if accepted for service.
The types of cases accepted include: domestic relations, bankruptcy and consumer problems, housing issues (evictions, subsidized housing), administrative law (Social Security, Unemployment, AND, TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid and other welfare programs). BCLS clients must reside or have a case pending in Boulder County and must meet financial guidelines, as well as case acceptance protocols. Some limited funding is available to serve senior citizens regardless of income with certain legal issues.
CENTER FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
1675 Range Street
Boulder, Colorado 80301
Telephone and TTY 303-442-8662
Fax: 303-442-0502
Website: www.cpwd-ile.org
CPWD provides information, resources, and advocacy to assist people with disabilities in overcoming barriers to independent living. We are committed to the full integration of people with disabilities into all aspects of community life, offering core services to guide people in their pursuit of independence, home health services to support activities of daily living, and training in self-advocacy skills for maintaining independence. Help is offered to understand the individual's rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Housing Amendments, and other disability-related laws.
THE CENTER'S LEGAL INITIATIVES PROJECT (CLIP)
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of Colorado
Legal Hotline 303-282-6524 (Monday - Friday)
1050 Broadway
Denver, CO 80203
www.glbtcolorado.org
clip@glbtcolorado.org
The Center's Legal Initiatives Project (CLIP) is the legal outreach project of The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center of Colorado, based in Denver. CLIP's mission is to defend and expand the civil and legal rights of GLBT persons and those with HIV. The Center also promotes and expands civil and legal rights of GLBT persons and those with HIV. They strive to promote understanding and tolerance by educating the public about discrimination against the GLBT community and those with HIV. CLIP pursues high-impact litigation that establishes legal precedents in the courts to improve the lives of GLBT people. CLIP also takes a proactive approach to solving problems through mediation and negotiation before litigation is necessary. The CLIP Legal Hotline is available to members of the GLBT community and those with HIV in Colorado who have legal issues or concerns.
CITY OF BOULDER COMMUNITY MEDIATION SERVICE
City of Boulder Housing and Human Services
P. O. Box 791
Boulder, Colorado 80306
Telephone 303-441-4364
Website: http://www.ci.boulder.co.us/cyfhhs/mediation/mediation/htm
The Boulder Mediation Service provides low fee mediation services to City of Boulder residents in the areas of landlord/tenant, parent/teen, neighborhood, community, nonprofit, youth, restorative justice, racial and multicultural issues. Mediators are available during the day, evenings, and weekends in order to accommodate all schedules. To obtain more information or to request a mediator call 303-441-4364.
CLINICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
University of Colorado at Boulder
Wolf Law Building
Campus Box 404
Boulder, Colorado 80309-0404
Telephone 303-492-8126
http://www.colorado.edu/law/clinics/legalaid/clinic.htm
The University of Colorado Clinical Education Program offers free legal services in certain kinds of civil, criminal, juvenile and non-litigation business matters. The Clinical Program is staffed by licensed, clinical faculty members who supervise volunteer law student attorneys. In general, the Clinical Program accepts its Civil, Criminal and Juvenile cases only through referrals from Boulder County Legal Services, the Public Defender's Office or by court appointment. The Clinical Program accepts its Business matters through an application available at http://colorado.edu/law/clinics/entre/apply.htm.
COURTS of The 20TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Boulder County Court
Civil & Small Claims Longmont Branch
1035 Kimbark Street
Longmont, Colorado 80501
Telephone 720-564-2522
Justice Center
1777 6th Street
P. O. Box 4249
Boulder, CO 80306
Telephone (303) 441-3750
The Colorado Court system is divided into 22 judicial districts. Each district has a court and each county within the judicial district has a county court. The 20th Judicial District is comprised of Boulder County. The Courts of the 20th Judicial District have two locations, Longmont and Boulder. All District Court and some County Court cases are handled at the Boulder Justice Center. These include civil, domestic, probate, mental health, adoptions, criminal, juvenile, and all county court cases: traffic, misdemeanor, civil, and small claims. The Longmont Branch of the County Court handles traffic infractions, misdemeanors, civil claims up to $15,000 and small claims up to $7,500.
OFFICE of the DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Boulder County Justice Center
P. O. Box 471
Boulder, Colorado 80306
Telephone 303-441-3700
www.co.boulder.co.us/da
The Boulder County District Attorney's office is responsible for prosecuting all violations of State law occurring in Boulder County, including misdemeanors, traffic offenses, drunk driving crimes, and felony offenses. The office also maintains a victim witness division. The division addresses itself to the needs of victims, providing crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, and where possible, restitution. The District Attorney also maintains a Consumer Affairs Unit, 303-441-3700 which protects consumers and businesses alike from fraudulent and deceptive trade practices.
EL COMITÉ DE LONGMONT
455 Kimbark St. Longmont, CO 80501
Telephone: 303-651-6125
FAX: 303-703-0314
elcomite@qwestoffice.net
Executive Director, Marta V. Moreno
Se habla español; somos bilingue y bicultural
El Comité de Longmont is a human rights and advocacy organization whose mission is to assist Latinos and others in our community through direct client services (in the office and by phone), programs, and through our extensive referral network. We assist in areas such as: unemployment and lost/unpaid wages; translation of legal documents (carte de poder, marriage licenses and birth certificates, etc.); immigration issues; family issues (divorce, funeral, limited mediation, etc.); court and justice system concerns (restraining orders, traffic and other citations, etc.); education; and mediation. We are not a legal services agency, but we do refer clients to appropriate resources which usually serve them based on their ability to pay. Our office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. It is open by appointment only on Wednesday.
IMMIGRANT LEGAL CENTER OF BOULDER COUNTY/ CENTRO LEGAL PARA LOS INMIGRANTES DEL CONDADO DE BOULDER
948 North Street, Suite 8
Boulder, CO 80304
Telephone: 303-444-1522
Fax: 303-444-1667
www.boulderayuda.org
laurel@boulderayuda.org
The Immigrant Legal Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing assistance with immigration matters in both English and Spanish.
El Centro Legal para los Immigrantes es una organizacion de Colorado sin fines lucrativos especializada en asuntos de inmigracion. La abogada, Laurel Herndon, es proficiente en el espanol.
OFFICE of the LONGMONT CITY ATTORNEY
408 3rd Avenue
Longmont, Colorado 80501
Telephone 303-651-8619
The Longmont City Attorney's Office provides legal advice to the City Council upon matters that come before the Council. The office gives legal advice to and represents city officials, departments, boards and commissions. Staff attorneys are responsible for prosecuting all violations of municipal ordinances including municipal traffic matters. Parties involved in landlord/ tenant, housing, neighborhood and community disputes may contact the Community Relations Office at 303-651-8445 to obtain an informational pamphlet or request a free mediator.
LONGMONT MEDIATION SERVICES
303-651-8444
350 Kimbark Street
Longmont, CO 80501
www.ci.longmont.co.us
Are you involved in a conflict that is draining you emotionally, psychologically, or financially? Would you like the conflict to end so you can move forward in your life?
Mediation is an effective alternative to fighting, suing, or giving up. Tax-payer supported services are available at no cost to members of the Longmont community. We work in the areas of landlord/tenant, neighbor-toneighbor, animal control, code violations, consumer/merchant, family issues, community issues, fair housing, inter-cultural issues and parent/teen issues. To obtain more information or to request a mediation, call 303-651-8444. Nosotros hablamos espanol, tambien.
OFFICE of the PUBLIC DEFENDER
1881 9th Street, Suite 200
Boulder, Colorado 80302
Telephone 303-444-2322
www.state.co.us/defenders
boulder.pubdef@state.co.us
The Boulder Office of the Colorado State Defender is staffed by lawyers, secretaries, paralegals, investigators, intern law students and volunteers. The attorneys in this office defend persons charged in felony, misdemeanor and juvenile cases in Boulder and Broomfield counties. To obtain Public Defender representation, please call the number listed above. Clients must be able to show proof of their low-income level by presenting evidence such as pay stubs or tax returns.
SHARED PARENTING PROGRAM (formerly SAFE EXCHANGE PROGRAM)
Telephone: 303-546-9100
Fax: 303-449-7902
www.accessboulder.org
The Shared Parenting Program addresses the need for a low-cost neutral and safe site where divorced or separated parents, grandparents, and others with parental rights can exchange/visit their children without violence or hostility. Neutral exchange sites prevent conflict by providing staggered schedules so that the parent delivering the child(ren) does not see or talk to the parent picking up the child(ren). Trained personnel in a home-like family oriented atmosphere monitor the children while they wait for the other parent. Services include exchanges, supervised parenting time and therapeutic parenting.
SAFE SHELTER OF ST. VRAIN VALLEY
303-772-0432
303-772-4422 - 24 hour Crisis Line
www.safeshelterofstvrain.org
info@safeshelterofstvrain.org
Safe Shelter provides protection, intervention and support to those whose lives have been affected by domestic violence. The legal advocate provides free assistance to those seeking protection orders and information and referrals for divorce and custody cases. Safe Shelter provides empowermentbased counseling, education and referral services to families in need.
ST. VRAIN VALLEY FAMILY SERVICES - S.A.F.E. SERVICES
Meeker Center
839 Meeker Street
Longmont, CO 80501
Telephone 303-776-5348
Fax 303-485-2055
www.stvrainfamilycenter.org
The Center promotes healthy parenting and family relationships by providing educational opportunities, supportive services and resources in a safe and nurturing environment. We offer classes in Positive Parenting, Surviving Divorce, Building Healthy Relationships, Blended Families and Boot Camp for New Dads. We also provide for Peer-led Support Groups (divorced adults, fathers), playgroups (Infants, Ages 1-5) a Parent Resource Center and Lending Library and the S.A.F.E. Services.
The Center's S.A.F.E. Services provides a safe location for the exchange of children between divorced or separated parents and supervised parenting time for parents who are required to have a 3rd party supervise visits with their children. Current hours of operations: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 3-7PM, Saturdays from 8AM - 7PM and Sundays 12:00 - 7PM. Fees for service apply. Sliding scale is available.
SAFEHOUSE PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE for NONVIOLENCE, INC. (formerly BOULDER COUNTY SAFEHOUSE)
Crisis Line: 303-444-2424
Administrative offices: 303-449-8623
Email: info@safehousealliance.org
Website: www.safehousealliance.org
Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (SPAN)is a human right organization committed to ending violence against all women, transgender people, youth and children through support, advocacy, education and community organizing. SPAN provides crisis intervention and on-going advocacy to people dealing with issues either directly or indirectly stemming from domestic violence by providing shelter, counseling and support services, a 24-hour hotline, community education, and legal advocacy services.
The SPAN Legal Advocacy Program assists victims with obtaining Civil Protection Orders, answering questions about the criminal, civil, and immigration legal processes, accompanying victims to court, and providing an immigration issues clinic and a drop-in legal issues clinic. Court advocates are available at the Boulder County Justice Center and the Broomfield County Courthouse to assist clients by providing support and information. They accompany clients to court hearings and advocate on their behalf during interactions with judicial officials in both Boulder and Broomfield Counties.
STUDENT LEGAL SERVICES
311 University Memorial Center
Box 206 UCB
Boulder, Colorado 80309-0206
Telephone 303-492-6813
www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/legal/
Student Legal Services provides low-cost legal services to full time students at the University of Colorado (both undergraduate and graduate.) The office represents students in a variety of areas including traffic tickets, criminal matters, DUI/DWAI, landlord/tenant and consumer problems.
VORP
303-442-6040
3910 Table Mesa Drive
Boulder, CO 80305
Fax: 720-563-0109
Website: http://www.bouldervorp.org
E-mail: info@bouldervorp.org
The Victim Offender Reconciliation Program of Boulder County is an independent, non-profit mediation program serving the community, victims and offenders involved in crimes or disputes. The VORP mediation process involves meetings between parties in a structured and safe environment. Our mission is to restore the community and "make things right." To that end, VORP provides an opportunity for a victim to be heard and supported by community members, or have a face-to-face meeting with offender(s). Victims are supported in making restitution agreements with the offender and/or sentencing recommendations to the justice system. VORP also offers a chance for offenders to demonstrate their remorse and accountability by repairing the harm they have done. VORP mediators are professionals such as lawyers and social workers who volunteer their skills and time. There is no charge to any party for mediation. (Donations are accepted.)
YWCA
2222 14th Street
Boulder, Colorado 80304
Telephone 303-443-0419
Fax 303-443-5098
www.ywcaboulder.org
The YWCA is a nonprofit organization that offers drop-in childcare, career counseling, computer classes, a family resource center and more. The organization is one of two approved service providers of the court-mandated ÒC0-Parenting for LifeÓ seminars in Boulder County. Cost is $50 per person and pre-registration is required. On-site, licensed childcare is available during the 3-hour class for $20 per child.
For general statewide legal services information go to www.coloradolegalservices.org
Published as a public service by the Boulder County Bar Association Additional copies of this brochure may be obtained by contacting the Boulder County Bar Association - (303) 440-4758
Contents Copyright © 1998-2009 Boulder County Bar Association
