1801 California Street, Suite 4900
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303.894.6366
Fax: 303.894.9239

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 2007 Accomplishments and our Other Current Projects.

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 is currently studying whether counties are appropriately protecting abused and neglected children living in Colorado. 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, and particularly the availability of funds for the state’s obligation to pay for capital construction for schools. The Task Force is also examining other educational issues to determine if legal solutions might improve education for Colorado's children. Anyone interested in K-12 Education is invited to participate. Steve Kaufmann (Morrison & Foerster 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 recruited election judges and worked with the Secretary of State’s office to revise and implement new election rules. During this past year, the Task Force monitored legislative amendments to Colorado’s Election Code. The Task Force currently works closely with the Secretary of State's Office and representatives from the state Republican and Democratic parties, the specialty bar associations and other key political organizations. The Task Force is co-chaired by Gale Miller and Glen Keller (both of Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP).

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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. Mock trials have been presented annually to more than 1,000 school children in middle and high schools, and also to companies and community organizations. 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 efforts of the State's Blue Ribbon Commission on 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. The Task Force is currently researching recent changes in the law regarding the availability of mental health services for indigent children and exploring preventative mental health as well as the interaction of mental health issues and the criminal justice system. Anyone interested in mental health issues is invited to participate in this Task Force. John Voorhees (Patton Boggs LLP) and Daphne O'Connor (Arnold & Porter 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 has held two clinics where lawyers work with nonprofits to conduct a “legal audit” of the nonprofit and assure the legal health of the organization. In the fall of 2007, the Task Force expects to hold quarterly clinics to provide legal assistance to nonprofits that help children and the underprivileged and can’t afford to hire lawyers. 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. The next Project Homeless Connect event will be held on October 19, 2007 and trainings for volunteers will provided the week before the event. 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 Task Force

This new Task Force was created to address issues and problems regarding access to public benefits. The Task Force is currently monitoring the implementation of House Bill 1023 (passed during the 2006 special session) that requires Colorado residents show one of five “lawful presence” documents in order to receive public benefits. The Task Force is co-chaired by Nea Brown (Holme Roberts & Owen LLP) and John Walsh (Hill & Robbins, P.C.).

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OTHER LAWYERS COMMITTEE PROJECTS

Colorado Innocence Project
Computer Benefits Management System (CBMS)
Disability and Medicaid Screening Task Force
Homeless ID Task Force
Immigration Task Force
Medicaid Services for Children Task Force
Sentencing Reform Task Force
Taylor Ranch Litigation
Young Advocates Network

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 fought to help homeless individuals get access to Colorado ID cards that are essential to obtain housing, employment, health care and public benefits and won a preliminary injunction requiring the State to adopt new regulations and provide hearings to individuals who are denied IDs. The Task Force is currently monitoring the implementation of the new regulations adopted by the Department of Revenue. Sean Connelly (Reilly Pozner & Connelly LLP) chairs this Task Force.

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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Medicaid Services for Children Task Force

Federal law requires states to provide access to medical care for children under Medicaid that is comparable to medical care available to children with private insurance. In recent years Colorado has reduced its reimbursement to pediatricians so significantly that many private physicians no longer accept children under Medicaid and these patients are forced to go to clinics or emergency rooms for health care. This Task Force has prepared litigation and is working with state agencies and the legislature to assure State compliance with federal requirements and increase availability of medical services to children on Medicaid. A recent study, showing higher death rates for children without private medical insurance, increases the importance of the work of this Task Force. Greg Kanan (Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP) and Bobbee Musgrave (Holme Roberts & Owen LLP) co-chair this Task Force.

Sentencing Reform Task Force

This Task Force submitted a report to the 2007 Colorado Legislature recommending the creation of a sentencing commission in Colorado. According to the findings of the Task Force, numerous other states have established sentencing commissions which have recommended changes in the criminal justice system that, when implemented, resulted in significant cost savings to the states without sacrificing public safety. This report provided the foundation for the Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice set up by House Bill 1358. Jim Scarboro (Arnold & Porter LLP) and Glen Keller (Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP) co-chair this Task Force.

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.