The Basics of Legal Aid in Fort Collins
Legal aid refers to the provision of legal assistance to low-income individuals who cannot afford an attorney. In Fort Collins, as well as other parts of Colorado, this assistance is provided by legal aid organizations. Some legal aid organizations provide service to a specific part of the state or to a specific population. Legal aid organizations may, for example, provide assistance only to the elderly or to refugees. There are other organizations that provide more general services that cover many counties, including Larimer County, which encompasses Fort Collins.
Legal aid organizations, like many other nonprofits, also rely on grants and donations. They do not require everyone who uses their services to pay a fee , but they do expect recipients of legal aid to contribute what they can afford. Although the contributions that recipients make through this process are often less than they would pay an attorney in private practice, these contributions make it possible for legal aid grantees to provide much needed services to more low-income individuals in Colorado.
Like the majority of legal aid organizations throughout the country, those in Fort Collins aim to assist low-income individuals who need legal help as quickly as possible without regard to other factors that make finding affordable legal assistance difficult. That is, it does not matter why you need help; it does matter that you need it. For you, that means that legal aid is often the most important resource for finding civil legal services.
The Qualifications for Legal Aid
Legal aid services in Fort Collins are primarily reserved for low-income individuals and families who cannot afford legal representation. The income threshold for eligibility is usually set at or below 125% of the federal poverty level as determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In 2022, annual income limits for eligible individuals in Colorado are not to exceed $16,750 for a single person, $22,050 for a couple, $27,300 for a family of three, and $32,550 for a family of four. The income eligibility threshold may slightly vary based on the size of the household in order to account for cost of living for types of expenses beyond basic necessities. Types of legal issues that qualify for legal aid services include family law matters, contract law, debt collection, eviction proceedings, public benefits, and employment law.
Legal Aid Programs and Providers in Fort Collins
Fort Collins has a strong network of legal aid organizations that help low-income residents and their families obtain the guidance and support they need to address everyday legal issues. These organizations are essential for those who may not have the resources to hire a private attorney.
BETTER JUDGES
105 E. Willow St. Suite 1
Fort Collins
970-425-8816
The Judges program helps people find attorneys and provides them pro bono services by handling civil cases in which one party lacks the resources to secure an attorney.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
1715 W. 12th St.
Loveland
970-484-5010 x 205
This nonprofit offers support services for low-income individuals and families, including specialized legal services for immigrants, people in need of food assistance, and people facing eviction.
LARIMER COUNTY LEGAL AID CLINIC
217 E. Lincoln Ave., Ste. 100
Fort Collins
970-416-6125
Legal Aid Clinic assists with civil matters such as family law, housing law, collections, consumer law, veterans issues and more. We also help support protective order clinic programs and include programs on debtors’ rights, basic bankruptcy and immigration.
LIFEBRIDGE GENERATIONS
525 E. 10th St.
Loveland
970-962-7685
This nonprofit helps low-income seniors secure free legal services and employment opportunities in Last Chance Garage in Fort Collins and Longmont. Last Chance Garage also provides job training and experience for women re-entering the workforce.
NORTHERN COLORADO AIDS PROJECT
970-484-4468
Open Door Legal Clinic
The Open Door Legal Clinic is a free clinic sponsored and organized by the Northern Colorado AIDS Project. The clinic helps people with HIV and AIDS access legal services such as wills and powers of attorney; Advance Medical Directives (living wills); chapter 7 bankruptcy; and landlord/tenant issues.
NATURAL LITERACY CENTER
970-669-8281 x 25
A project of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, this nonprofit organization provides free financial literacy, tax, and legal information and resources to low-income individuals and families in Northern Colorado.
COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES
303-837-1313
Colorado Legal Services maintains a Fort Collins office that offers information about obtaining legal help, as well as a range of self-help resources for litigants.
How to Get Legal Aid
Applying for legal aid in Fort Collins is a straightforward process, but it does require some preparation. To begin, gather information about your case, including facts, paperwork, and details about your opposing party. Legal aid organizations want to know exactly what’s going on in your matter to determine if you can be of service. If you are seeking aid as a non-English speaker, you still must provide information in English. The next step is to confirm that your income is low enough to qualify. Legal aid organizations typically set income limit guidelines based on the federal poverty level and the size of your household. Visit the organization’s website for the most up-to-date information, or call them for assistance. If you think you qualify, you’ll need to bring in the proper documentation, including: You may also need to show that you have tried to represent yourself. For example, you may have sent demand letters or met with the other party in an effort to resolve the matter before seeking legal aid.
To expedite service, make sure to bring in copies of your documents. The organization will not return your paperwork once you’ve submitted an application. When you arrive to apply, write down the name of the legal aid expert who took your case. Check back periodically for updates regarding your matter.
Legal Aid Services Available in Fort Collins
Local legal aid organizations in Fort Collins, Colorado, provide a range of essential services to keep those in need from facing the law alone. While the extent of their services may vary, there are a few commonalities in the types of services citizens of Fort Collins can expect. Overview of the services provided by legal aid organizations throughout Fort Collins include:
Legal Aid for a Variety of Cases
When dealing with a legal problem, many folks in Fort Collins – and beyond — may not know where to turn for help. Legal aid groups provide services across numerous verticals, including but not limited to Family Law, Bankruptcy, Foreclosure Issues, Discrimination or Worker’s Compensation, Abuse and Domestic Violence, and Landlord and Tenant issues.
Oftentimes, legal aid groups will offer legal advice through non-legal aid attorneys, or help in finding an attorney that will offer pro bono services. In many cases , they also offer mediation and dispute resolution.
Some legal aid groups in the Fort Collins area even maintain a panel of volunteer lawyers looking to provide their services to community members who cannot afford legal representation.
Legal Advice and Representation
As is the case with most legal aid organizations throughout the country, the primary goal of Fort Collins legal aid groups is to provide representation to low-income individuals throughout the local area. These services often take the form of legal advice, help at negotiations and mediation, and representation in hearings. Typically, legal aid groups will refer clients to outside service providers for legal representation.
Legal aid organizations will also assist with self-represented litigants who seek to file pleadings, fill out forms, gather evidence or deal with a judge. They offer assistance with the purchase of documents and locating relevant records. Legal aid groups may also offer assistance with preparing for court, as well as representation in courtrooms.
The Types of Cases Legal Aid Typically Handles
Shared below are some common legal issues that Fort Collins legal aid organizations are equipped to handle.
Family law jurisprudence sits at the intersection of state, federal, and tribal law. For residents of the Fort Collins, Colorado rich who have "busy" work schedules, and are paying a mortgage on time and educating the kids, changes in family law regulations may seem like a full-time job. Financially, it is often difficult to move through the family law process without assistance. Issues that fall under family law jurisprudence handled by legal aid in Fort Collins include:
Colorado housing regulations are changing on all fronts. Even temporary rental agreements must be carefully reviewed in order to qualify for assistance from churches — which are often able to provide shelter for Fort Collins residents. Like similar amicable neighbor cities throughout the United States, issues that fall under housing regulations handled by legal aid in Fort Collins include:
Disputes involving employment may come from former employers at the Fort Collins Jobs Program. Employers may cancel employees who have perfect attendance, and then offer a false reason for termination. Disputes may also involve compromised pay because of overtime exclusion. Other issues that fall under employment law jurisprudence handled by legal aid in Fort Collins include:
Legal Aid Success Stories
The legal aid services in Fort Collins have been a boon to many who have found themselves in difficult situations. One such success story comes from Maria, a single mother of two who faced a vicious cycle of debt and harassment from an aggressive credit agency. "I was overwhelmed. I didn’t know where to turn until I heard about Legal Aid," she recalls. "They not only assisted me in filing a lawsuit against the collection agency but also helped me file for bankruptcy to stop the harassing phone calls." With just the help of a free consultation and paralegal guidance on the litigation, Maria was able to take on the entity that had been harassing her and win a settlement. The extra support of case management helped her stay organized for the paperwork that ensued after the award. As a result, Maria was able to move on from the harassment and successfully provide and care for her children without the emotional toll of phone calls and threats.
Another client, Tom, a resident who lived in affordable housing in Fort Collins, found himself in a precarious situation when he received notice that his income no longer qualified him to live in that affordable building. "I was devastated. I’m on social security and a small pension and I’ve never had to look for a new rental property," he explains. A friend of Tom’s guided him to the legal aid office in Fort Collins, where he was assisted in applying for Denver Housing Authority vouchers to ease his way to find a new affordable apartment. Tom now has a safe, stable place to reside and has avoided being priced out of his community as many low-income individuals in Fort Collins have been.
The impact of organizations like Legal Aid of Colorado in Fort Collins is far-reaching. Hearing from clients about life experiences that were improved or even made possible with the help of these services reinforces the importance of expanding programs that help residents who are struggling financially.
Other Options and Resources
While legal aid services are invaluable, not everyone qualifies for them. In these cases, there are several alternative sources of legal assistance that deserve your attention.
Pro bono services
Pro bono legal work is undertaken voluntarily by attorneys for those who are unable to pay. "Pro bono" is short for "Pro Bono Publico" which is Latin for "for the public good."
Depending on the organization, pro bono services may via application only, or may be available to all who qualify at a given clinic date. Some pro bono organizations may charge a nominal fee.
Legal clinics
Many legal aid organizations and associations have established legal clinics to operate on a regular basis. Potential clients schedule appointments, or arrive at the clinic on a first-come, first served basis .
Often, a legal clinic will have information about its upcoming events on its website, along with a contact number. If you find there is a clinic event in your area, call ahead to confirm the location, date, time, and number of people who will be present.
Legal self-help centers
A legal self-help center is a public resource center designed to help individuals represent themselves in court or legal matters. Most self-help centers hire paralegals or other trained professionals to provide assistance to anyone who needs it.
Hours and services provided by legal self-help centers vary. Typically, no appointment is necessary, even if you just walk in the door for a general consultation. There is usually a self-help center located in the courthouse; however, there may also be a different location within the county, or around the state.
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