Colorado Access to Justice Commission
Expanding access, quality, and fairness in the justice system for all Coloradans
What is the Access to Justice Commission (ATJC)?
The ATJC is an independent entity formed in 2003 with 20 appointed Commissioners who work to create solutions for those who lack the information, tools, and services necessary to resolve their civil legal problems fairly, quickly, and economically. It unites civil justice leaders statewide to drive local and systemic innovations to address barriers in accessing the civil justice system.
Civil Legal Issues
Civil legal matters affect every aspect of our lives, like housing, divorce, child custody, consumer rights, health care, insurance, debt collection, employment, government benefits, domestic violence, personal injury and more.
Our Work
Strategic Planning
The barriers Coloradans face in accessing the civil justice system are continuously evolving. To ensure its work is relevant and meaningful, the ATJC unites stakeholders through statewide needs assessments to collaboratively plan and strategize.
Technology
Technological tools - like virtual proceedings, virtual legal aid clinics, and chatrooms with court staff - have revolutionized the concept of access to civil justice. The ATJC is working to preserve, enhance, and expand advancements like these. It also focuses on innovating new solutions, like systems that help litigants file paperwork online, and web platforms that direct litigants to the services they need.
Self-Help
Many legal issues could be resolved without an attorney, but litigants still face barriers in resolving them. The ATJC works closely with the Colorado Courts on initiatives like creating simple and understandable forms, instructions, and procedures, developing a library of easily-accessible online self-help resources, and addressing issues like language, literacy, and public awareness that prevent many litigants from effectively representing themselves.
Language
People with limited English language proficiency are already among the most marginalized populations in Colorado because of the barrier this presents in accessing all services. The ATJC continuously works to improve and increase access to interpreters and translated written materials.
Our Work
Strategic Planning
The barriers Coloradans face in accessing the civil justice system are continuously evolving. To ensure its work is relevant and meaningful, the ATJC unites stakeholders through statewide needs assessments to collaboratively plan and strategize.
Technology
Technological tools - like virtual proceedings and clinics, or online dispute resolution - can revolutionize access to justice. The ATJC works to preserve, enhance, and expand tools like these as well as innovate new ways to get people information and services.
Legal Aid
One of the most obvious challenges to fairness in legal proceedings is the inability to hire a lawyer. ATJC works to increase the availability of free lawyers for low income Coloradans so their legal issues do not further destabilize or disrupt their lives.
Self Help
Some legal issues can be resolved without an attorney, but people lack direction and usable information. We promote simplified and standardized legal procedures, forms, and instructions, as well as easily accessible online self-help resources.
Language
People with Limited English Proficiency are already among the most marginalized populations because of the barriers language access presents. The ATJC continuously works to improve and increase access to interpreters and translation.
Contact Us
We are always seeking new partners, allies and volunteers. We also welcome ideas for increasing our impact on access to justice in Colorado. Please reach out to us at:
Email: elisa@coloradoaccesstojustice.org
Phone:
(720) 306-1022
Address:
1290 Broadway, Ste. 1700
Denver, CO 80203
We regret that we do not have the resources to provide individual legal assistance.
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