COMMISSION COMMITTEES
Our committees are each Chaired by a Commissioner and report to the Colorado Access to Justice Commission in service of its stated overall mission and its strategic action plan.
Communications Committee
The communications committee develops messaging and disseminates important information about the Commission's work to community allies as well as the broader public. This committee also identifies constituencies whom the Commission should focus on in its communication efforts.
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Specifically, this committee works to:
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Raise public awareness statewide about
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the resources available to assist individuals access the civil justice system,
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barriers impeding access to civil justice,
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efforts being implemented to address barriers, and
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the widespread benefits of accessible civil justice system.
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Develop support among key constituencies
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Produce Reporting for public circulation
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Facilitate communicate among access to justice communities statewide
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Support Committees by helping with internal and external communication of their work
Executive Committee
Examples of this committee's work:
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Oversee Strategic Planning Conduct Orientation for new Commissioner
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Define expectations for Commissioners and Committees
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Consider and Approve formation of new committees
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Conduct statewide listening tours to
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Manage ATJC staff
The Executive Committee oversees the Access to Justice Commission as a whole. Its members approve appointments to the Commission, structural changes to the Commission, are responsible for monthly all-Commissioner meetings, and oversee the Executive Director.
Kim Gent, Chair​
Wes Hassler, Vice-Chair
Brandy Toelupe, Secretary
Sam Walker, Treasurer
Justice Melissa Hart
Brittany Kauffman
Courts Committee
The courts committee collaborates with the court system with the goal of facilitating would-be litigants' access to civil justice and to help self-represented litigants navigate the courts systems that are appropriate for the issues they seek to resolve.
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Examples of this committee's work:
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Simplify and standardize court processes, procedures, and policies
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Develop plain language as the standard for court processes, written materials forms, and multimedia content
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Respond to continuously changing needs of courts and self-represented litigants
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Identify and helping resolve language barriers
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Create electronic processes that are equivalent to in-person services
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Use technology to provide services and resources in remote areas of Colorado
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Develop evidence-based testing for projects
Hon. Tim Schutz, Chair
Jackie Marro
Jen Cuesta
Judge Melina Hernandez
José Vasquez
Jonathan White
Melissa Meirink
Tiffany Mortier
Delivery Committee
Examples of this committee's work:
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Research & identify gaps within the legal system for self-represented litigants and people with civil legal issues.
- Secure grant and other funding sources to support legal services
- Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to promote increased free and affordable representation for civil litigants
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The delivery committee promotes the delivery of legal services from multiple angles. These include Pro Bono Representation, Alternate Providers, Affordable Representation, Local ATJ Committees, and Rural Legal Services.​
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Dave Stark, Chair
Jon Asher
Katy Donnelly
Aaron Garber
Ed Gassman
Carol Haller
Wesley Hassler
Sandra Hershiser
Erika Holmes
Hon. John Kuenhold (Ret.)
Lauren Lester
Hon. Lino Lipinsky
Jackie Marro
Jared McLuskey
Hon. Gale Miller (Ret.)
Toni-Anne Nuñez
James O'Connor
Noah Patterson
Ryann Peyton
Carolyn Powell
Troy Rackham
Carlos Romo
Judge Jonathan Shamis
Hon. Dan Taubman
Jennifer Wherry
Local ATJ Support Subcommittee
Justice Melissa Hart
Hon. Dan Taubman
Elisa Overall
Jackie Marro
Kristin Bronson
Sarah Lipka
This Subcommittee of the Delivery Committee was designed to support the regionally-led Access to Justice Committees, which generally focus on locally-tailored solutions that promote access to civil justice within their communities. There are local Access to Justice committees in nearly all Colorado's 22 Judicial Districts. Solutions include monthly classes an clinics, creating and maintaining lists of resource providers for self-represented litigants, and hosting legal events like Legal Resource Week, Family Law Week, and Ask-A-Lawyer Day.
Technology Committee
The Technology Coordinating Committee is charged with assuring coordinated online services, avoiding duplication, and driving technological innovation to expand access to justice.