Colorado Legal Services: Fighting for Accessibility and Dignity

Written by Jessica Clark-Daugherty

This year, Colorado Legal Services (CLS) has demonstrated once again why it remains a vital advocate for vulnerable populations in our state. A recent housing case in Greeley not only brought attention to the dedication of CLS attorneys but also underscored the profound impact of their work on real lives.

In this case, a non-functional elevator left elderly and disabled residents of a Greeley apartment building stranded in their homes for over three months. Among the tenants was an 83-year-old woman reliant on an oxygen tank and visually impaired, who couldn’t leave her third-floor apartment for the duration of the outage. Two other elderly residents also faced significant hardships, including limited mobility and difficulty accessing basic needs like groceries, laundry, and even the ability to mail rent checks.

Despite repeated pleas from residents, the building’s landlord failed to fix the elevator in a timely manner, putting lives at risk and leaving tenants isolated. The CLS Greeley office, led by Managing Attorney Kathryn Hall (pictured above), stepped in to take decisive legal action. “I can’t imagine leaving elderly people trapped in their apartments for two months and just not caring,” Hall said, reflecting on the urgency of the case.

Former CLS Housing Attorney, Jen Edgley, did a great deal of work on this case, ultimately achieving a successful outcome. Using a recently passed housing statute, the team secured a temporary restraining order compelling the landlord to fix the elevator. Their efforts ultimately led to a resolution, restoring accessibility to the building and ensuring the safety and dignity of its residents.

This case highlighted the effectiveness of a new statute aimed at protecting tenants in cases of landlord negligence. While the Greeley office’s work garnered media attention, CLS attorneys across the state have used this law in similar cases, protecting tenants’ rights and holding landlords accountable.

While high-profile cases like this draw attention, they represent just a fraction of the vital work CLS does daily. From preventing evictions to securing protection orders for survivors of domestic violence, CLS attorneys provide critical legal services to thousands of Coloradans each year. “This case caught people’s eye, and it should have. But we do housing cases every day and try to stop evictions every day,” said Hall.

This case also showcased the power of collaboration. Referrals from local agencies like Weld County Legal Services and the Area Agency on Aging connected the tenants to CLS. Community support didn’t end there—a local resident, inspired by news coverage of the case, even delivered fresh food to tenants trapped by the elevator outage.

This case serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of supporting organizations like CLS. Professional legal aid attorneys, like those at CLS, provide expertise and commitment that go beyond what pro bono volunteers can often offer. Their specialized knowledge and focus on systemic issues create long-lasting impact for communities across Colorado.

As Kathryn Hall put it, “We couldn’t do it without the support of donors and partners who make this work possible. Together, we ensure that justice is accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it.”

For those who support the Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado, know that your contributions fund important staff attorney positions at CLS. These attorneys fight for justice, uphold human rights, and make Colorado a better place for all its residents