Access to legal services is essential to keeping people stably housed. Unfortunately, an estimated 97% of tenants lack legal representation needed to prevent eviction and displacement. Free legal services give people the support they need to navigate the complexities of the legal system. CPLP provides free legal representation, legal advice, mediation, education, and advocacy so that low-income Coloradans can defend their housing rights and avoid homelessness.
Dennis and Jessica (names changed for privacy) purchased their mobile home 10 years ago, fulfilling their dream of affordable home ownership in a community where they could find safety and belonging. Last year, Dennis’s health began to deteriorate, and he found himself hospitalized. As a result, Dennis and Jessica fell behind on the rent due for their mobile home lot. They were served with a demand for rent while Dennis was still in the hospital. Unable to pay what was owed, they received an eviction judgment. Fortunately, Dennis and Jessica learned about CPLP through a hospital social worker and contacted us for support. We successfully negotiated a settlement that allowed them additional time to pay and suppressed the judgment on their record so that they could remain in their home.
Dennis and Jessica are one of the estimated 47,725 mobile home tenant-owners in Colorado. They face the same extreme rent hikes, eviction proceedings, discrimination, habitability concerns, and predatory practices faced by tenants statewide.
CPLP serves over 5,000 individuals each year. Most of the tenants we serve are like Dennis and Jessica—faced with unexpected life circumstances and lack of access to resources that put them just on the edge of homelessness. We provide free legal representation, education and advocacy so that we can keep our friends, neighbors, and loved ones securely housed. We believe no one should experience homelessness due to lack of housing justice.
Colorado Poverty Law Project helps prevent homelessness through legal representation, education, and advocacy.
CPLP began over a decade ago as a free legal clinic to support low-income tenants with housing legal issues. Since then, we’ve grown to serve over 5,000 Coloradans annually! CPLP's mission is to improve access to legal services for low-income Coloradans by acting in three areas: 1) providing legal advice and representation to low-income individuals; 2) educating and counseling individuals and their support organizations on legal issues common to low-income Coloradans; and 3) supporting groups advocating for protective laws and procedures.
CPLP’s primarily serves households with income below 30% AMI and historically marginalized communities, such as BIPOC, older adults, people with disabilities, female-headed households, and undocumented immigrants. Our services provide immediate relief to people facing housing instability. Our legal representation helps tenants avoid eviction, extend timelines for move-out, and reduce or waive debts owed. It also supports tenants in addressing habitability conditions that compromise their health and safety.
On a systemic level, we work with partners and lawmakers to pass housing legislation. This year, CPLP worked on the passage of SB 094, to promote safe and healthy housing through a stronger “warranty of habitability,” HB 1099, to eliminate eviction filing fees, and HB 1294, to promote language access and financial protections for mobile home park residents. We have also advanced regulatory reforms through the Division of Housing and advocated for procedural changes in eviction court processes and forms.
All CPLP services are provided free of charge. Representation is provided by staff attorneys and our expansive network of volunteer attorneys. The organization is led by our founders, board members, and Executive Director Shannon MacKenzie, who all have been integral to CPLP's accomplishments and development.
Organization name
Colorado Poverty Law Project
other names
CPLP
2014
Tax id (EIN)
47-1066158
Category
Crime & Legal-Related, Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, Housing & Shelter
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
66 S Logan StCO, US