The Legal Aid Foundation team is heartbroken by the loss of Justice Melissa Hart. Justice Hart was an unyielding champion of justice for all in Colorado. We will remember her as a kind spirit who never failed to speak up for the most vulnerable. She leaves Colorado a better, more just place because of her efforts. Justice Hart was a trustee of the Legal Aid Foundation Board from 2014 until her appointment to the Colorado Supreme Court in 2017. She stayed involved in our work long after assuming the bench. She was a friend, advisor, supporter, and frequent speaker at our events.
“Justice Hart was a force for good in Colorado. In every room where people were working to make sure our justice system serves all, she was there. Justice Hart was tireless and unrelenting in her efforts. She took the time to listen to those left behind by our systems and then used her position to make those systems work better. Justice Hart’s family and friends are in our thoughts. She will be deeply missed,” said Jordan Bates-Rogers, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Foundation.
Matt Baca, Executive Director of Colorado Legal Services, said, “Colorado Legal Services deeply mourns the passing of Justice Melissa Hart, a tireless, brilliant, and dedicated champion for our shared project of equal justice for all in Colorado, work she advanced at every point in her career, bringing forth light, knowledge, wisdom, and great effort.
She mentored, she taught, she pushed and advocated, she wrote, she thought, she collaborated and partnered, she supported. All of this to make Colorado more just, a task equal parts worthy and immense. May her memory live on as a blessing and as inspiration to continue doing this vast work of equal justice for all.”
We hope that you will share memories of Justice Hart and messages for friends and family here.
To mail a donation, make the check payable to the Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado. Please include “Justice Hart” in the memo line so that we can notify the family of your memorial gift. Mail checks to 1600 Broadway, Suite 1400 Denver, Colorado 80202.
In addition to the Legal Aid Foundation, the family has designated the Colorado Women’s Bar Association Foundation to receive donations in Justice Hart’s memory. You can read more about their mission here.
Memorial Gifts
To make a donation to the Legal Aid Foundation in memory of Justice Hart, please use the form below or donate through Colorado Gives.
To mail a donation, make the check payable to the Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado. Please include “Justice Hart” in the memo line so that we can notify the family of your memorial gift. Mail checks to 1600 Broadway, Suite 1400 Denver, Colorado 80202.
The Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado is the charitable foundation that supports the work of Colorado Legal Services. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
When I arrived in Colorado, Justice Hart was one of the very first people to reach out and offer her support. She insisted on hosting a dinner in her home to welcome Cory and me into the Colorado legal community. I will remember her for that kindness, but also for her tireless advocacy for Coloradans denied the promise of justice for all.