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About the Colorado Access to Justice Commission

The Colorado Access to Justice Commission’s mission is to expand access, improve quality, and promote fairness in the justice system for all Coloradans.

MISSION

The mission of the Colorado Access to Justice Commission is to expand access, quality, and fairness in the justice system for all Coloradans.
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Who We Are

The Commission is made up of twenty voting Commissioners and additional emeritus and ex-officio Commissioners. Voting Commissioners are appointed by organizations committed to the integrity and accessibility of our civil justice system, including the Supreme Court, the Bar Association, Colorado’s statewide legal aid program, and the political branches.

What We Do

The Commission executes its mission by advocating for and supporting policy changes that help Coloradans resolve their legal issues, whether they are representing themselves or being represented by paid or volunteer professionals. This includes promotion and support of pro bono programming and legal clinics across the state. The Commission serves as a convener of organizations working on access to justice issues, including legal aid providers, law schools, and the judicial department, and non-legal partner organizations, so efforts are strategic and coordinated across sectors and across the state. The Commission also work to increase funding for legal aid, and to advance technological solutions like virtual court appearances, self help Apps and web-based plain language resources.

Our Work

The Commission invests in solutions that prevent legal issues from escalating into far more serious problems. By ensuring individuals can resolve their legal issues efficiently, the Commission’s work serves to promote economic stability, alleviate poverty, and reduce strain on the judicial system.

Strategy

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.

Policy

The Commission is driving change within and outside the legal system. This includes funding advocacy, systems change, and investing in scalable solutions.

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.

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.