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Common Questions About the Law
ACCESS COUNSELING Access Counseling provides early intervention counseling, education and referral service to adult individuals, families, couples, children and adolescents in Boulder County regardless of their ability to pay. They seek to strengthen our community by helping people to develop the skills they need to resolve difficult life situations before they escalate into more serious problems. APPROPRIATE DISPUTE RESOLUTION If you are involved in a dispute, going to court is not the only answer. Mediation and arbitration can potentially save you time and money. For information on alternatives to filing a lawsuit, please call (303) 441-4902. By calling this number, you will learn about how to contact various mediation and arbitration organizations in Boulder County. BLUE SKY BRIDGE, CHILD AND FAMILY ADVOCACY
Blue Sky Bridge is a child and family advocacy program dedicated to providing a comprehensive approach to child abuse investigation, treatment, and prevention, with an emphasis on sexual assault. Services include: forensic interviews and medical exams, case management, court school, advocacy, professional and community education. BOULDER CITY ATTORNEY
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
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 volunteers who represent clients in a variety of areas including wills, powers of attorney, criminal, family, discrimination (ADA), immigration and benefits. BOULDER COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
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)
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 20 volunteer paralegals; and a cadre of approximately 300 private, volunteer lawyers to whom clients are referred, if accepted for service. The types of cases handled include: domestic relations, bankruptcy and consumer problems, housing issues (evictions, subsidized housing), administrative law (Social Security, Unemployment, AFDC, Food Stamps, Medicaid and other welfare programs), and other miscellaneous. 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
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 rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Housing Amendments, and other disability-related laws. THE CENTER'S LEGAL INITIATIVES PROJECT (CLIP)
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 MEDIATION SERVICES
The Boulder Mediation Service provides low fee mediation services to City of Boulder residents in the areas of landlord/tenant, parent/teen, neighborhood, community, organizational, family, youth, 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. COURTS of The 20TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
Justice Center
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. The Clerk's Office is combined. 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, felony, 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
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. IMMIGRANT LEGAL CENTER OF BOULDER COUNTY/ CENTRO LEGAL PARA LOS INMIGRANTES DEL CONDADO DE BOULDER The Immigrant Legal Center is a Colorado non-profit organization providing assistance with immigration matters for low-income members of Boulder County. Services are provided on a reduced-fee basis depending on income. 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. LEGAL AID and DEFENDER PROGRAM
The Legal Aid and Defender Program is a clinical program of the University of Colorado School of Law. The Clinic has 5 professor/attorneys and 48 volunteer law student attorneys. CU Legal Aid provides for indigent/low-income persons in civil and less serious criminal matters. A second or third year law student under the direct supervision of one of the staff attorneys handles each case. Clients must meet financial qualifications. The majority of the legal representation provided in criminal matters involves municipal and county court misdemeanor cases, traffic matters, and drunk driving charges. In addition, the Legal Aid and Defender Program handles most general civil matters, with an emphasis on family law and social security disability appeals. (During the summer months, there is limited representation due to the summer law school break.) Legal Aid only accepts new cases during September-October, and January-February. OFFICE of the LONGMONT CITY ATTORNEY
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 PROGRAM
Are you involved in a conflict that is draining you emotionally, psychologically, or financially? Would you like to end it and get on with your life? OFFICE of the PUBLIC DEFENDER
The Boulder Office of the Colorado State Defender is staffed by lawyers, secretaries, investigators, intern law students and volunteers. The attorneys in this office defend persons charged in felony, misdemeanor and juvenile cases. 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)
The Shared Parenting Program addresses the need for low-cost neutral and safe sites where divorced or separated parents, grandparents, and others with parental rights can exchange 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. Safe Shelter provides protection, intervention and support to women and children whose lives have been affected by domestic violence. The legal advocate program provides free assistance to women seeking protection orders. Provides early intervention counseling, education and referral services to families in need. ST. VRAIN VALLEY FAMILY SERVICES - S.A.F.E. SERVICES
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 Lending Library and the S.A.F.E. Services. The Centerís 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. SAFEGUARD
Safeguard is a Boulder County law-related education service that provides resources, instruction and support to area educators, students, and the community on law-related topics. SAFEHOUSE PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE for NONVIOLENCE, INC. (formerly BOULDER COUNTY SAFEHOUSE)
Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence is a human right organization committed to ending violence against women, youth and children through support, advocacy, education and community organizing. The Program provides crisis intervention and on-going advocacy to assist women in achieving their rights under the law. SELF-HELP KIOSK BOULDER COUNTY JUSTICE CENTER
The purpose of this kiosk is to provide pro se (without an attorney) individuals another vehicle for access to justice through technology. The kiosk provides access to self-help modules, providing individuals an opportunity to fill out certain pleadings on a computer using a touch screen pad, keyboard, mouse and printer. The user will be walked through the process screen by screen with help from a voice over headphones, in English or Spanish. Pleadings may then be printed out and filed with the court. The areas of law covered and forms are created for: fee waivers, temporary protection orders, small claims, and to answer an eviction. The modules may also be accessed through the internet at www.ColoradoLegalServices.org (under "Legal Form Preparation" choose "I-CAN!Colorado". STUDENT UNION LEGAL SERVICES
Student Union 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, bankruptcy, landlord/tenant and consumer problems. VORP
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 ìmake things right.î 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
The YWCA serves women and their families through programs designed to protect children, empower women and girls and eliminate racism. The YWCA provides emergency/ drop-in low-cost childcare, job search assistance, career counseling, and divorce and lifeskills education to low-income and single parents. The YWCA sponsors the court-mandated seminar "How to Co-Parent After Divorce." Pre-registration is required. There is a sliding fee scale for participants ranging from $10 - $50.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LAW
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