Attorney Steph Kroeze, left, and Rental Assistant Paralegal Specialist Carmen Sandoval, right, from CLS Pueblo
When eight tenants appeared on an eviction docket in Pueblo on April 9, 2026, the odds were stacked against them. By the end of the day, however, a remarkable collaboration among Colorado Legal Services staff across the state had set eight households on a path toward stability.
Attorney Steph Kroeze and Rental Assistant Paralegal Specialist Carmen Sandoval met all eight tenants at the morning eviction docket and quickly recognized troubling patterns in the apartment complex’s management practices. Although the office typically takes on only a few full-representation cases from each docket, the circumstances convinced Steph and Carmen that these tenants needed legal assistance.
The challenge was immediate. Because answers had to be filed that same day, Steph faced the daunting task of preparing responses for eight separate cases within hours. After consulting with colleagues in Pueblo and reaching out to the Colorado Legal Services Housing Task Force, support arrived from across the state. Attorneys shared research, legal strategies, and practical guidance that helped strengthen the tenants’ defenses.
The results were extraordinary: four eviction cases were dismissed outright. One tenant was able to cure the alleged rent deficiency with assistance from a local community organization, leading to dismissal of the case. One tenant, who had lived in the unit for ten years and experienced ongoing mistreatment by the landlord, successfully relocated to a safer and healthier living environment. Two additional tenants secured alternative housing, including one individual who transitioned into assisted living through collaboration with local health organizations.
In the end, all eight households achieved greater housing stability because of timely legal representation, strong community partnerships, and statewide teamwork.
This outcome reflects the power of legal aid to do more than resolve court cases, it helps people remain housed, access supportive services, and move toward long-term stability. It also highlights the collaborative spirit that makes these successes possible, with staff across Colorado contributing their expertise to support clients when they need it most.
Every successful outcome in this case reflects the power of donor support in advancing access to justice, ensuring that Coloradans facing housing crises have an advocate by their side. Thanks to supporters like you, legal aid advocates can step in at critical moments, helping prevent homelessness and creating pathways to long-term housing stability. Because of that support, eight Pueblo households found hope.
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