Defining Colorado Legal Services
Under the philosophy that no one in Colorado should be unable to access the justice system because they are too poor to afford a lawyer for their case, Colorado Legal Services (CLS) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to ensuring that low-income residents can access justice. They have many offices throughout the state, including in Pueblo. With the help of attorneys and other professionals who donate their time , they provide free legal assistance in non-criminal matters for individuals whose income is at or below 125% of federal poverty guidelines. They serve the state’s most vulnerable populations, including senior citizens, survivors of domestic violence and people with disabilities.
In Pueblo, CLS serves clients who need assistance with the following types of cases:
CLS also coordinates a number of programs to promote access to justice for low-income residents of Colorado, including:
Available Services in Pueblo
Residents of Pueblo, Colorado have access to a broad spectrum of legal services specifically tailored to their needs and circumstances. These services include but are not limited to family law, housing issues, including landlord-tenant disputes, and debt-related issues.
Family law encompasses all matters related to divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic relations. Those who need help with their divorce proceedings or child custody battles can turn to several legal service providers in Pueblo. Colorado Legal Services is perhaps the most widely known. This nonprofit organization provides free civil legal services to low-income persons. Its Pueblo office is located at 721 N. Main St., Suite 3007.
Low-income residents may also receive help from the Pueblo Volunteer Legal Services or the Fourth Judicial District Bar Association. The nonprofit Pueblo Volunteer Legal Services offers a variety of pro bono services to indigent citizens within the Fourth Judicial District, which includes Pueblo County. Its services include advice-only clinics in the areas of domestic relations, estate planning and landlord-tenant disputes. The Fourth Judicial District Bar Association, also known as the 10th Circuit Bar Association, is a professional association of attorneys in the Southern Colorado region.
Housing issues are another area for which legal services are offered. Colorado Legal Services provides legal assistance in this area as well, and Pueblo residents can receive help from the Southern Colorado Legal Services, which serves residents in seven counties in southeastern Colorado, including Pueblo County. Southern Colorado Legal Services provides civil legal aid to qualifying low-income persons and families living in rural southeastern Colorado. It seeks to address the unmet legal needs of those who cannot afford private legal counsel.
Residents of Pueblo who are experiencing debt problems or are on the verge of foreclosure may seek help from the Colorado Foreclosure Hotline. Created in 2006 by the Colorado Attorney General, the Colorado Foreclosure Hotline provides access to free, real-time, and professional financial counseling and legal guidance. Recently, the 10th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and Colorado Legal Services opened the Pueblo Foreclosure Prevention Program to provide foreclosure counseling assistance and legal advice to low-income residents of Pueblo County.
For those seeking to strengthen their individual estate plans and prepare advance planning documents, including wills and advance health care directives, the Pueblo Senior Resource Center holds estate planning clinics on the second and fourth Friday of each month. A solo practitioner may also provide assistance with such documents.
Who Can Benefit from Legal Aid in Pueblo
Eligibility for free or reduced-cost legal services through Colorado Legal Services in Pueblo is determined using financial criteria including income limits and type of case. The firm accepts most clients that apply. If the client does not meet the minimum requirements the firm will advise them on which agencies to contact to seek alternative representation. Legal Aid is available to all, so long as there is an ability to pay. For example, those who belong to the U.S. Armed Forces or are veterans are always eligible. Others in Pueblo may qualify for legal assistance if their annual household income is less than 187 percent of the federal poverty level guideline. In 2018, single-person households do not qualify with an income above $22,459. For two-person households the limit is $29,434. To qualify for free legal aid in Pueblo, Colorado a family of three cannot earn more than $36,409 per year and a household of four must not earn more than $43,384. Other requirements to qualify for free legal services through Colorado Legal Services in Pueblo include being a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien, and the legal aid case filed must be civil instead of criminal.
How to Seek Legal Help in Pueblo
To apply for free or low-cost legal assistance in Pueblo, you will generally need to first contact the organization that serves your legal need. Unfortunately, visits are taken by appointment only.
The process will begin with contacting one of these numbers: You may also visit a legal aid building and request an application . When applying for legal assistance in Pueblo, you will need your ID and social security information. In addition to your personal information, any extra documentation available with proof of income will be required. Keep in mind that the law services in Colorado are not completely free of charge. You will need to pay something or make a donation for the legal services provided.
Local Residents Share Their Success Stories
Over the years, Colorado Legal Services has helped many people from the Pueblo area. Here are some real-life stories of local residents who have gained the legal aid they needed and wanted from the non-profit organization. These Pueblo residents had a desperation and a need for help that led them to reach out to Colorado Legal Services and find affordable legal assistance. James, a longtime worker in the manufacturing industry in Pueblo, was laid off in 2018. Having lost the majority of his income, he fell behind on paying bills, including his mortgage payments. His home was in jeopardy of being sold at auction, and he worried about how to support his family and find work at the same time. Very anxious and uncertain about what would happen next, James turned to a Sister Maria and Colorado Legal Services for advice and some clarity about the process he would have to go through to save his house. Legal services helped James and heads of his household from being displaced from their place of residence in Pueblo. Today, James is back to work, he and his family still live in their home, and they are in a much better position financially than they were a year ago. Sandy was unable to work due to a debilitating disease causing her to lose her job. Unable to work, she still needed ongoing medical support and had no other means of income. She accrued debt with doctor visits, medications and rent, and ultimately became unable to provide for herself. Dependent on Medicaid for her health care, Sandy did not qualify for other assistance programs. Finding herself next stepless, Sandy was distraught. She came to legal services for help with filing for bankruptcy and supporting her in signing a lease agreement. With the help of Colorado Legal Services, Sandy was able to get back on her feet. She is currently doing better economically, and has new hope after this unexpected and difficult bump in the road. Pablo is a Pueblo local who lost his partner in early 2018 to aggressive brain cancer. He has been devastated by the loss of his partner for 12 years. He struggled with providing end of life care for his partner and where to turn for help. Moreover, he did not know how to even carry out his partner’s wishes for how he wanted his estate managed. Through Colorado Legal Services, Pablo has found a good lawyer to help him navigate through the legal process. He will not lose his current home and is giving the time and space he needs to grieve the loss of his partner of a decade.
Further Resources and Support
The city of Pueblo offers a number of additional legal resources to help its residents gain the knowledge and representation they need. The following is a non-exhaustive list of options for service:
Pro bono
The Colorado Bar Association features a state-wide program that helps connect low- to moderate-income Colorado citizens with volunteer lawyers who can provide counsel at no cost.
Not all services offered through this program are free. Some may feature a sliding-scale fee structure. Participation in the pro bono program requires financial eligibility and a specific legal matter.
Community Clinics
The Pueblo City-County Library provides monthly sessions of Ask-A-Lawyer at its Rawlings Library branch. This program allows guests to meet with a local attorney and seek legal advice.
Pueblo also has two pro bono clinics that feature free general legal advice clinics on the first and third Tuesday of each month at noon.
The Self Help Center at the Pueblo County Justice Center located at 701 Court St. offers free legal information , as well as referral programs on civil matters. The court runs this service, which operates from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:15 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. They are closed every Sunday and on all government holidays.
Online Resources
ColoradoLegalServices.org: This site features a wealth of information on legal services throughout Colorado, as well as a state law library, helpful resources and forms, and instructions on how to file small claims and other cases.
LawHelpColorado.org: This website helps people find answers to legal questions and resources they need for legal problems. It connects individuals to legal aid programs, organizations providing legal assistance, pro bono attorneys and other resources.
Judicial Branch: In addition to information on the Self Help Center, the Colorado Judicial Branch website features a section dedicated to helping people represent themselves in court. It contains helpful information on filling out and filing forms, as well as how people can prepare for their court appearance.