Other Current Projects

The following projects are not actively seeking new volunteers. However, if you’re interested in joining one of these efforts, please contact us.

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 examines issues relating to treatment of Colorado’s children to determine if there are legal problems that would benefit from the involvement of the Colorado Lawyers Committee. There are 25 volunteers who have participated in this Task Force in the past. Only the co-chairs were active during 2010. This Task Force is co-chaired by David Stark (Faegre Baker Daniels LLP) and Jennifer Hunt (Hill & Robbins, P.C.).

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. During 2010, the reports submitted by the State suggested they were significantly out of compliance with the original settlement agreement and Federal law. As a result, the Task Force opened negotiations with both the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) in an effort to modify and extend the existing settlement agreement. Late in 2010, the Task Force reached an agreement with DHS to extend the settlement agreement relating to food stamps. On October 8, 2010, members of the Task Force filed a motion for contempt, enforcement and modification of the settlement agreement against HCPF relating to Medicaid and other health care benefits. In early 2011, the Task Force reached an agreement with HCPF which modified and extended the settlement agreement. The new agreement was approved by the Court on April 25, 2011. The Task Force continues to monitor the State’s progress and compliance with the settlements. 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. Top

Education Task Force

The Colorado Lawyers Committee has a long history of working to improve educational opportunities for children in Colorado. Task Force volunteers closely monitor developments in Colorado’s state budget crisis to assure adequate funding for Colorado’s schools. The Task Force is also examining educational issues to determine if legal solutions might improve education for Colorado’s children. Anyone interested in K-12 education is invited to participate. Craig Stewart (Holland & Hart LLP) and Kenzo Kawanabe (Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP) co-chair this Task Force.

In 2010, members of the Task Force focused on the two issues: (1) DPS. A coalition of lawyers and community leaders was formed to assure transparency in the closure and restructuring of Denver Public School facilities.. Anyone interested in participating should contact the subcommittee co-chairs, John Tatlock (The Harris Law Firm P.C.) and Dan Sweetser (The Sweetser Law Firm, P.C.) (2) School Finance. A second group of lawyers volunteered their time to assist with a significant school finance case, Lobato v. State. Interested volunteers should contact Kathy Gebhardt (Kathleen J. Gebhardt, L.L.C.). Top

Food Stamps Task Force

This Task Force examines the delay in processing food stamps applications in certain Colorado counties. According to federal regulations, a general application for food stamps must be processed within 30 days of receipt of the application. In certain areas of the state, individuals and families experience lengthy delays that far exceed the 30 day requirement. Due to these long delays, many people living in Colorado are struggling to feed themselves. Litigators and those interested in food stamps benefits are invited to participate. The Task Force is closely monitoring the processing times in several counties; negotiations with one county have resulted in a complete overhaul of the county’s procedures for processing food stamp applications and a sharp drop in the county’s noncompliance rates. During 2010, 23 volunteers donated approximately 452 hours. Byeongsook Seo (Gordon & Rees LLP) chairs this Task Force. Top

Health Care Task Force

This Task Force monitors the legislative and executive efforts to implement health care reform and explores avenues for input. There are more than 15 volunteers who have participated in this Task Fore in the past. During 2010, only the Chair was active. Anyone interested in health care issues is invited to participate. This Task Force is chaired by Rich Hennessey (Pendleton Friedberg Wilson & Hennessey P.C.). Top

Homeless ID Task Force

This Task Force was formed in 2006 to address systemic barriers facing homeless individuals in obtaining Colorado identification cards, without which they are unable to secure housing, employment and other services. In December 2006, Task Force volunteers obtained a court order granting their Motion for Preliminary Injunction and requiring the Colorado Department of Revenue to adopt regulations regarding the issuance of ID cards and to establish procedures to provide due process to individuals who are denied IDs. In 2008, in an effort to gather experience about the regulations and to determine if systemic issues remain, the Task Force agreed to identify 25 lawyers who could represent individuals and assist them in obtaining ID’s. During 2009 and 2010, 32 volunteers donated an estimated 2,000 hours and represented 28 individuals. In addition, in 2010, Task Force members aided in the passage of SB 6 which permits felons to change their names under certain circumstances, making it possible for them to obtain IDs. The Task Force is now exploring strategies the resolve ongoing systemic barriers. To participate, please contact Lindsay Unruh (Reilly Pozner LLP). Top

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. In 2010, eight volunteers donated approximately 70 hours. Emily Curray (Stern & Curray LLC) chairs this Task Force. Top

Medicaid Home and Community Based Services

This Task Force was formed in 2011 to address issues related to improper reductions in Medicaid benefits for individuals with disabilities. Volunteers are monitoring the adoption of new regulations by several state agencies and exploring legal challenges to the State’s improper reduction or denial of benefits. Cole Wist (Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.) chairs this Task Force. Top

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 advocacy efforts to assure that individuals with mental illness leaving the criminal justice system are able to access benefits and medical care. During 2010, 20 lawyers and community advocates donated more than 500 hours. Anyone interested in mental health issues is invited to participate in this Task Force. Iris Eytan (Reilly Pozner LLP) and Jessica Yates (Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.) chair this Task Force. Top

Sixth Amendment Task Force

This Task Force was formed at the end of 2009 to address the constitutionality of a Colorado statute that requires individuals charged with a misdemeanor to meet with the prosecutor before counsel can be appointed for them. In early 2010, the Task Force sent a demand letter to the Governor and is exploring litigation. After these discussions failed to resolve the Task Force’s concerns, members of the Task Force, on December 2, 2010, filed a lawsuit in federal district court, on behalf of the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition and the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association, alleging the unconstitutionality of the statute. The Task Force has 13 lawyers from 8 different law firms and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers who donated more than 400 hours during 2010. Scott Llewellyn (Morrison & Foerster LLP) and Laurence (Trip) DeMuth, III (Faegre Baker Daniels LLP) co-chair this Task Force. Top

Taylor Ranch Litigation

The dispute about access to a 77,500 acre mountainous 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 2003, upheld the rights of plaintiff property owners (whose heirs and predecessors settled the land grant when it was still part of Mexico) 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. The Colorado Supreme Court remanded the case to the Costilla County District Court to identify the current landowners who are entitled to access the property based on the test established by the Supreme Court.  The District Court determined that certain property owners were not entitled to these rights because their predecessors in title were allegedly served in one of two 1960 quiet title actions.  In 2004, the Court began an identification process to identify the current owners of land entitled to access La Sierra.  To date, the district court has examined title to over 6,300 parcels of land and found that all but approximately 300 parcels are entitled to access La Sierra.  In 2009, more than 300 individuals provided notice that they intended to use La Sierra for either grazing or to gather timber or firewood.

A number of attorneys have been actively involved in this litigation. During 2010, more than 40 lawyers, paralegals and secretaries worked on this case. It is estimated that they donated over 1,800 hours. For more information, contact Jerome DeHerrera (Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP). Top