Second Regular Session
Seventy-fourth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
ENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments Adopted
on Second Reading in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 24-0554.01 Chelsea Princell x4335
HOUSE BILL 24-1286
House Committees Senate Committees
Judiciary
Finance
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING MEASURES TO INCRE ASE ACCESS TO THE COURTS FOR101
INDIGENT PERSONS.102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
The bill creates the equal justice fund authority as a special
purpose authority to administer the equal justice fund for the purpose of
providing monetary support to local organizations that provide legal
representation and legal advice to low-income individuals.
The bill requires certain court filings to incur an additional $20
filing fee that must be annually deposited into the equal justice fund.
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
April 18, 2024
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Joseph and Lindsay, Bacon, Brown, Clifford, Garcia, Mabrey, Rutinel, Velasco
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Roberts and Priola,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. The bill prohibits a judge from requiring indigent parties to pay the
docket fee for a civil action.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
finds that:3
(a) Access to justice is a basic principle of the rule of law, and it4
ensures that all persons, institutions, and entities, public and private,5
including the state, are held accountable to laws that are publicly6
promulgated, equally enforced, and independently adjudicated;7
(b) In the absence of access to justice, people are unable to have8
their voices heard, exercise their rights, challenge discrimination, or hold9
decision-makers accountable;10
(c) Providing civil legal aid to people in poverty is vital to11
Colorado in supporting justice for victims of intimate partner violence,12
ensuring veterans receive their well-earned benefits, protecting against13
elder abuse, fighting human trafficking, protecting access to necessities14
such as food and shelter, and other areas;15
(d) Without access to civil legal representation, many laws and16
protections remain unenforceable for low-income Coloradans;17
(e) State-funded legal aid in certain civil matters reinforces the18
importance of the right to counsel to ensure a fair trial;19
(f) Equal access to justice would have little effective meaning if20
an individual could not afford that right on the basis of income;21
(g) In order to meet the needs of our most vulnerable community22
members, it is necessary, appropriate, equitable, and in the best interest23
of all Coloradans to create a special purpose authority to allow24
low-income Coloradans access to the court system by imposing a fee on25
1286-2- a party's first court filing;1
(h) The fee imposed is for the specific purpose of serving users of2
Colorado courts, who will pay the fee on all initial pleadings and answers3
because the fee:4
(I) Will serve all qualified court users by increasing the efficiency5
of courts for all court users by reducing slowdowns caused by6
self-represented parties because providing guidance and legal assistance7
to unrepresented litigants increases efficiency in courts;8
(II) Will increase the provision of justice in our courts for all court9
users, regardless of income, which is an interest shared among all court10
users;11
(III) Is collected at a rate reasonably calculated based on the12
overall costs of the services provided by the authority; and13
(IV) Is not a tax;14
(i) Furthering access to Colorado's civil courts is a pillar of our15
democratic legal systems; and16
(j) The state of Colorado must endeavor to systematically support17
the delivery of equal access to legal aid services to all qualified18
Coloradans.19
(2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that the lack of20
access to civil legal justice is a problem that has serious social, legal,21
economic, and political consequences, and the general assembly enacts22
this legislation to fund equal access to justice and reaffirm the23
commitment to equitable access to the civil legal process.24
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add part 2 to article25
5.7 of title 13 as follows:26
PART 227
1286
-3- EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY1
13-5.7-201. Definitions. AS USED IN THIS PART 2, UNLESS THE2
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :3
(1) "AUTHORITY" MEANS THE EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY CREATED4
IN SECTION 13-5.7-202.5
(2) "BOARD" MEANS THE EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY BOARD6
CREATED IN SECTION 13-5.7-204.7
(3) "EQUAL JUSTICE FEE" MEANS THE FEE COLLECTED ON CIVIL8
ACTIONS AS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 13-4-112 (3)(a), 13-32-101 (9)(a),9
AND 13-32-102 (7)(a). PURSUANT TO THIS PART 2.10
(4) "QUALIFIED CIVIL LEGAL AID PROVIDER" MEANS A 501 (c)(3)11
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION OTHER THAN THE COLORADO RECIPIENT OF A12
FEDERAL LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION FIELD GRANT THAT PROVIDES13
LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ADVICE TO PEOPLE IN COLORADO WHO ARE14
AT OR BELOW TWO HUNDRED FIFTY PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY15
GUIDELINE TO SUPPORT THEIR ACCESS TO BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS HOUSING,16
EMPLOYMENT, HEALTH SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND ASSISTANCE WITH17
FAMILY MATTERS AND IMMIGRATION STATUS ISSUES .18
13-5.7-202. Creation and purpose. THERE IS CREATED AS A19
SPECIAL PURPOSE AUTHORITY, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 24-77-102, THE20
EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY, WHICH IS A BODY CORPORATE AND A21
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE, WHICH SHALL NOT BE AN AGENCY22
OF STATE GOVERNMENT AND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE23
DIRECTION BY ANY DEPARTMENT , COMMISSION, BOARD, BUREAU, OR24
AGENCY OF THE STATE . THE AUTHORITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR25
DISTRIBUTING THE EQUAL JUSTICE FEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 13-5.7-20626
FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING EQUAL ACCESS TO LEGAL AID SERVICES27
1286
-4- AND TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY OF THE COURT SYSTEM FOR ALL COURT1
USERS.2
13-5.7-203. General powers. (1) IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER3
POWERS GRANTED TO THE AUTHORITY IN THIS PART 2, THE AUTHORITY HAS4
THE FOLLOWING POWERS:5
(a) TO HAVE THE DUTIES, PRIVILEGES, IMMUNITIES, RIGHTS,6
LIABILITIES, AND DISABILITIES OF A BODY CORPORATE AND POLITICAL7
SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE;8
(b) TO HAVE PERPETUAL EXISTENCE AND SUCCESSION ;9
(c) TO ADOPT, HAVE, AND USE A SEAL AND TO ALTER THE SAME AT10
ITS PLEASURE;11
(d) TO SUE AND BE SUED;12
(e) TO ENTER INTO ANY CONTRACT OR AGREEMENT NOT13
INCONSISTENT WITH THIS PART 2 OR THE LAWS OF THE STATE;14
(f) TO PURCHASE, LEASE, LEASE WITH AN OPTION TO PURCHASE,15
TRADE, EXCHANGE, OR OTHERWISE ACQUIRE, MAINTAIN, HOLD, IMPROVE,16
MORTGAGE, ENCUMBER, AND DISPOSE OF REAL PROPERTY AND PERSONAL17
PROPERTY, WHETHER TANGIBLE OR INTANGIBLE, AND ANY INTEREST,18
INCLUDING EASEMENTS AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY, WITHOUT RESTRICTION OR19
LIMITATION;20
(g) TO ACQUIRE OFFICE SPACE, EQUIPMENT, SERVICES, SUPPLIES,21
AND INSURANCE NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE PURPOSES OF THIS PART22
2;23
(h) TO DEPOSIT ANY MONEY OF THE AUTHORITY IN ANY BANKING24
INSTITUTION OR IN ANY DEPOSITORY AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO SECTION25
24-75-603, AND TO APPOINT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING SUCH26
DEPOSITS, ONE OR MORE PERSONS TO ACT AS CUSTODIANS OF THE MONEY27
1286
-5- OF THE AUTHORITY, WHO SHALL GIVE SURETY BONDS IN SUCH AMOUNTS1
AND FORM AND FOR SUCH PURPOSES AS THE BOARD REQUIRES ;2
(i) TO CONTRACT FOR AND TO ACCEPT ANY GIFTS , GRANTS, AND3
LOANS OF FUNDS, PROPERTY, OR ANY OTHER AID IN ANY FORM FROM THE4
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE STATE, ANY STATE AGENCY, OR ANY OTHER5
SOURCE, OR ANY COMBINATION THEREOF, AND TO COMPLY, SUBJECT TO6
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PART 2, WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF7
SUCH CONTRACTS OR THE ACCEPTANCE OF SUCH ITEMS ;8
(j) TO HAVE AND EXERCISE ALL RIGHTS AND POWERS NECESSARY9
OR INCIDENTAL TO OR IMPLIED FROM THE SPECIFIC POWERS GRANTED IN10
THIS PART 2, WHICH SPECIFIC POWERS SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED AS A11
LIMITATION UPON ANY POWER NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE TO CARRY OUT12
THE PURPOSES AND INTENT OF THIS PART 2;13
(k) TO FIX THE TIME AND PLACE OR PLACES AT WHICH ITS REGULAR14
AND SPECIAL MEETINGS ARE TO BE HELD ;15
(l) TO ELECT ONE MEMBER AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD AND16
ANOTHER MEMBER AS VICE-CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD AND TO ELECT17
ONE OR MORE MEMBERS AS SECRETARY AND TREASURER OF THE BOARD18
AND ELECT OR APPOINT SUCH OTHER OFFICERS AS THE BOARD MAY19
DETERMINE AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR DUTIES AND TERMS OF OFFICE ;20
(m) TO APPOINT AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, AND PROFESSIONAL AND21
BUSINESS ADVISERS, INCLUDING REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS ,22
CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES , PROPERTY MANAGERS , ATTORNEYS,23
ACCOUNTANTS, AND FINANCIAL ADVISERS AS MAY FROM TIME TO TIME BE24
NECESSARY IN THE AUTHORITY'S JUDGMENT TO ACCOMPLISH THE25
PURPOSES OF THIS PART 2, AND TO FIX THE COMPENSATION OF SUCH26
AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, AND ADVISERS, AND TO ESTABLISH THE POWERS AND27
1286
-6- DUTIES OF ALL AGENTS, EMPLOYEES, AND ADVISERS, AS WELL AS ANY1
OTHER PERSON CONTRACTING WITH THE AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE2
SERVICES, INCLUDING TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR THE CONTRACT3
FOR SERVICES;4
(n) TO MAKE AND EXECUTE AGREEMENTS , CONTRACTS, AND5
OTHER INSTRUMENTS NECESSARY OR CONVENIENT IN THE EXERCISE OF THE6
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO THIS PART 2,7
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CONTRACTS WITH ANY PERSON, FIRM,8
CORPORATION, MUNICIPALITY, STATE AGENCY, COUNTY, OR OTHER9
ENTITY. ALL MUNICIPALITIES, COUNTIES, AND STATE AGENCIES MAY10
ENTER INTO AND DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO PERFORM ANY SUCH11
ARRANGEMENT OR CONTRACT WITH THE AUTHORITY .12
(o) OTHER POWERS NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE AUTHORITY'S13
SPECIFIC GOALS AS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THIS PART 2.14
13-5.7-204. Equal justice authority board - membership and15
meetings - rules. (1) THE AUTHORITY IS GOVERNED BY THE EQUAL16
JUSTICE AUTHORITY BOARD, WHICH IS MADE UP OF SEVEN MEMBERS WHO17
ARE RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE AND HAVE A DEMONSTRATED COMMITMENT18
TO PROVIDING CIVIL LEGAL AID THROUGH CURRENT OR PRIOR19
EMPLOYMENT WITH A QUALIFIED CIVIL LEGAL AID PROVIDER, OR THROUGH20
SUBSTANTIAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE WITH A SIMILAR ORGANIZATION .21
(2) MEMBERS OF THE BOARD MUST BE APPOINTED AS FOLLOWS :22
(a) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE23
COLORADO SUPREME COURT ;24
(b) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ;25
(c) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COLORADO BAR26
ASSOCIATION;27
1286
-7- (d) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE COLORADO LAWYER TRUST1
ACCOUNT FOUNDATION ; AND2
(e) THREE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE COLORADO ACCESS TO3
JUSTICE COMMISSION, AT LEAST TWO OF WHOM ARE EMPLOYED BY A4
QUALIFIED CIVIL LEGAL AID PROVIDER, AND AT LEAST ONE OF WHOM IS5
EMPLOYED BY A QUALIFIED CIVIL LEGAL AID PROVIDER THAT EMPLOYS TEN6
OR FEWER FULL-TIME ATTORNEYS.7
(3) THE APPOINTING AUTHORITIES SHALL MAKE REASONABLE8
EFFORTS TO APPOINT BOARD MEMBERS THAT REFLECT THE GEOGRAPHIC9
AND DEMOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY OF THE STATE, INCLUDING MEMBERS FROM10
BOTH RURAL AND URBAN PARTS OF THE STATE, AND MEMBERS OF DIVERSE11
POLITICAL, RACIAL, ABILITY, CULTURAL GROUP, AND SOCIOECONOMIC12
STATUS.13
(4) MEMBERS SERVE TERMS OF THREE YEARS ; EXCEPT THAT14
INITIAL TERMS OF THE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE COLORADO ACCESS15
TO JUSTICE COMMISSION ARE TWO-YEAR TERMS IN ORDER TO STAGGER THE16
TERMS SO THAT NO MORE THAN FOUR MEMBERS ' TERMS EXPIRE IN THE17
SAME YEAR. THE APPOINTING AUTHORITIES SHALL DESIGNATE THE INITIAL18
TERMS AND FILL ANY VACANCIES ON THE BOARD .19
(5) TERMS EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31 OF THE FINAL YEAR OF THE20
TERM.21
(6) MEMBERS MAY BE REAPPOINTED TO SERVE TWO ADDITIONAL22
TERMS.23
(7) A MEMBER MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE BOARD BY MAJORITY24
VOTE OF THE BOARD FOR MISFEASANCE, MALFEASANCE, WILLFUL NEGLECT25
OF DUTY, OR OTHER CAUSE AFTER NOTICE AND A PUBLIC HEARING, UNLESS26
NOTICE AND A PUBLIC HEARING ARE EXPRESSLY WAIVED IN WRITING BY27
1286
-8- THE MEMBER BEING REMOVED .1
(8) THE BOARD SHALL MEET AT LEAST FOUR TIMES PER YEAR .2
(9) THE BOARD SHALL ELECT A CHAIR AND A VICE-CHAIR AT ITS3
FIRST MEETING OF EACH CALENDAR YEAR .4
(10) MEMBERS SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION BUT MUST BE5
REIMBURSED FOR ACTUAL AND REASONABLE EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE6
PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.7
(11) THE BOARD SHALL ADOPT ITS OWN RULES OF PROCEDURE AND8
KEEP A RECORD OF ALL PROCEEDINGS .9
(12) THE BOARD, BY RESOLUTION, SHALL ESTABLISH RULES TO10
ENSURE MONEY RECEIVED FROM A GRANT IS USED FOR PURPOSES11
SPECIFIED IN SECTION 13-5.7-206 AND TO ESTABLISH A FUNDING FORMULA12
TO USE TO DETERMINE THE GRANT DISTRIBUTION AM OUNT FOR EACH13
QUALIFIED CIVIL LEGAL AID PROVIDER.14
(13) (a) THE AUTHORITY MAY COOPERATE AND ENTER INTO15
CONTRACTS WITH THE COMMISSION OR ANOTHER AGENCY OR ENTITY, FOR16
ADMINISTRATIVE OR OPERATIONAL ASSISTANCE , INCLUDING FOR STAFFING.17
(b) THE AUTHORITY SHALL PAY THE CONTRACTED ENTITY IN18
ADVANCE FOR ALL AGREED UPON COSTS INCURRED BY THE CONTRACTED19
ENTITY IN PROVIDING STAFFING FOR THE AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT ITS20
MISSION, INCLUDING COMPENSATION FOR EMPLOYEES STAFFING THE21
AUTHORITY AND ANY ADMINISTRATION AND INDIRECT COSTS ASSOCIATED22
WITH STAFFING THE AUTHORITY.23
(14) IF THE CONTRACTED ENTITY EXPECTS TO INCUR ACTUAL24
COSTS AS A RESULT OF STAFFING THE AUTHORITY THAT EXCEEDS THE25
AMOUNT PROVIDED BY THE AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO SECTION26
13-5.7-206, THE AUTHORITY SHALL PAY THE CONTRACTED ENTITY FOR ALL27
1286
-9- COSTS INCURRED BY THE CONTRACTED ENTITY IN PROVIDING STAFFING TO1
THE AUTHORITY, INCLUDING, BUT LIMITED TO, COMPENSATION FOR2
EMPLOYEES STAFFING THE AUTHORITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS IN AN3
AMOUNT AGREED UPON BY THE AUTHORITY AND CONTRACTED ENTITY .4
(15) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL REPRESENT THE AUTHORITY5
IN A CAUSE OF ACTION.6
13-5.7-205. Imposition and collection of the equal justice fee.7
(1) BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025, THE AUTHORITY SHALL IMPOSE, AND8
THE COURT SHALL COLLECT ON BEHALF OF THE AUTHORITY , AN EQUAL9
JUSTICE FEE IN THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED IN SECTIONS 13-4-112 (3)(a),10
13-32-101 (9)(a), AND 13-32-102 (7)(a) ON THE COURT FILINGS SPECIFIED11
IN SECTIONS 13-4-112 (1)(a) AND (1)(b); 13-32-101 (1), EXCEPT FILINGS12
IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT; AND 13-32-102 (1)(a), (1)(b), AND (1)(f). FOR13
THE PURPOSE OF MINIMIZING COMPLIANCE COSTS FOR COURT USERS AND14
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS FOR THE AUTHORITY, THE COURT SHALL COLLECT15
THE EQUAL JUSTICE FEE ON BEHALF OF THE AUTHORITY IN THE SAME16
MANNER IN WHICH IT COLLECTS COURT FILING FEES IMPOSED BY SECTIONS17
13-4-112, 13-32-101, AND 13-32-102; EXCEPT THAT THE COURT SHALL18
NOT TRANSMIT THE COLLECTED EQUAL JUSTICE FEES TO THE STATE19
TREASURER FOR DEPOSIT TO ANY STATE FUND BUT SHALL INSTEAD REMIT20
THE FEES COLLECTED TO THE AUTHORITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE21
PROCESS DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION.22
(2) THE AUTHORITY SHALL MAINTAIN AN ACCOUNT IN A FINANCIAL23
INSTITUTION TO WHICH ALL MONEY COLLECTED FOR THE EQUAL JUSTICE24
FEE IS DEPOSITED. THE AUTHORITY SHALL WORK WITH THE JUDICIAL25
DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP A PROCESS THAT ENSURES THAT EACH COURT26
IS ABLE TO PROMPTLY AND EFFICIENTLY DEPOSIT ALL EQUAL JUSTICE FEES27
1286
-10- COLLECTED DIRECTLY TO THE ACCOUNT OR OTHERWISE PROMPTLY AND1
EFFICIENTLY REMIT SUCH FEES TO THE AUTHORITY .2
(3) EQUAL JUSTICE FEES COLLECTED AND REMITTED TO THE3
AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION ARE NOT STATE REVENUE .4
13-5.7-206. Distribution of equal justice fees - purpose. (1) ON5
JULY 1, 2025, AND EACH JULY 1 THEREAFTER, THE AUTHORITY SHALL6
ANNUALLY DISTRIBUTE ALL MONEY DEPOSITED INTO THE AUTHORITY'S7
ACCOUNT AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 13-5.7-205 (2), LESS THE AUTHORITY'S8
DIRECT AND INDIRECT EXPENSES IN ADMINISTERING THE REQUIREMENTS9
OF THIS PART 2 AND ANY OTHER RELATED WORK COMPLETED TO ADVANCE10
THE MISSION OF THE AUTHORITY. THE AUTHORITY SHALL DISTRIBUTE11
SIXTY-SEVEN PERCENT OF THE REMAINING REVENUE TO THE COLORADO12
RECIPIENT OF A FEDERAL LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION FIELD GRANT13
AND THIRTY-THREE PERCENT TO QUALIFIED CIVIL LEGAL AID PROVIDERS.14
(2) THE BOARD, BY RESOLUTION, SHALL ESTABLISH A FUNDING15
FORMULA TO USE TO DETERMINE THE DISTRIBUTION AMOUNT FOR EACH16
QUALIFIED CIVIL LEGAL AID PROVIDER. IN DEVELOPING THE FORMULA, THE17
BOARD SHALL CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING FACTORS :18
(a) THE NUMBER OF ATTORNEY HOURS SPENT SERVING PEOPLE IN19
COLORADO IN POVERTY IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR ;20
(b) THE NUMBER OF FULL-TIME ATTORNEYS EMPLOYED BY THE21
QUALIFIED CIVIL LEGAL AID PROVIDER;22
(c) THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN POVERTY WHO RECEIVE23
LEGAL REPRESENTATION OR LEGAL ADVICE FROM THE QUALIFIED CIVIL24
LEGAL AID PROVIDER;25
(d) GEOGRAPHIC REACH OF SERVICES; AND26
(e) ABILITY AND EXPERIENCE SERVING POPULATIONS WITH27
1286
-11- BARRIERS TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE, INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES1
AND PEOPLE WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY.2
(3) IN ESTABLISHING THE FUNDING FORMULA PURS UANT TO3
SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION, THE BOARD SHALL CONSIDER THE VITAL4
IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK OF QUALIFIED CIVIL LEGAL AID PROVIDERS5
THAT EMPLOY TEN OR FEWER FULL-TIME ATTORNEYS TO LOW-INCOME6
COLORADO COMMUNITIES .7
(4) MONEY RECEIVED FROM A GRANT MUST BE USED FOR THE8
FOLLOWING PURPOSES:9
(a) TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO INDIGENT10
PERSONS BY PROVIDING ANNUAL GRANTS TO THE COLORADO RECIPIENT OF11
A FEDERAL LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION FIELD GRANT AND OTHER12
QUALIFIED CIVIL LEGAL AID PROVIDERS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION ;13
(b) TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF COLORADO COURTS FOR ALL14
COURT USERS BY REDUCING SLOWDOWNS CAUSED BY15
SELF-REPRESENTATION; AND16
(c) TO PAY THE DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS OF ADMINISTERING17
THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS PART 2, INCLUDING PAYMENT FOR COSTS18
ASSOCIATED WITH STAFFING THE AUTHORITY AND REIMBURSEMENT OF THE19
ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES OF BOARD MEMBERS AS REQUIRED BY20
SECTION 13-5.7-204.21
13-5.7-207. Report. (1) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2026, AND22
EACH JANUARY 1 THEREAFTER, THE AUTHORITY SHALL PREPARE AND23
SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUDICIARY24
COMMITTEE AND THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, OR THEIR25
SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES, THAT DETAILS THE USE OF THE EQUAL JUSTICE26
FEES. AT A MINIMUM, THE REPORT MUST INCLUDE:27
1286
-12- (a) HOW MUCH MONEY WAS COLLECTED IN EQUAL JUSTICE FEES1
AND DEPOSITED IN THE AUTHORITY'S ACCOUNT AS REQUIRED BY SECTION2
13-5.7-205 (2) IN THE PRECEDING YEAR;3
(b) HOW MUCH MONEY THE COLORADO RECIPIENT OF A FEDERAL4
LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION FIELD GRANT AND OTHER QUALIFIED CIVIL5
LEGAL AID PROVIDERS RECEIVED FROM THE COLLECTED EQUAL JUSTICE6
FEES IN THE PRECEDING YEAR;7
(c) THE AMOUNT OF MONEY RECEIVED FROM THE COLLECTED8
EQUAL JUSTICE FEES THAT REMAINED UNUSED BY THE COLORADO9
RECIPIENT OF A FEDERAL LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION FIELD GRANT10
AND THE QUALIFIED CIVIL LEGAL AID PROVIDERS AT THE CONCLUSION OF11
THE PRECEDING YEAR; AND12
(d) THE TYPES OF LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS WHO13
RECEIVED LEGAL SERVICES FROM THE COLORADO RECIPIENT OF A FEDERAL14
LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION FIELD GRANT AND OTHER QUALIFIED CIVIL15
LEGAL AID PROVIDERS THAT RECEIVED MONEY FROM THE COLLECTED16
EQUAL JUSTICE FEES.17
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-4-112, add (3) as18
follows:19
13-4-112. Fees of the clerk of court of appeals - equal justice20
fee collection. (3) (a) BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025, THE CLERK OF THE21
COURT OF APPEALS SHALL COLLECT THE EQUAL JUSTICE FEE ON FILINGS22
SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTIONS (1)(a) AND (1)(b) OF THIS SECTION ON BEHALF23
OF THE EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY AND TRANSMIT THE EQUAL JUSTICE FEE24
IN THE AMOUNT OF THIRTY DOLLARS IN THE MANNER SPECIFIED IN SECTION25
13-5.7-205 (2).26
(b) AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE INCOME IS BELOW TWO HUNDRED FIFTY27
1286
-13- PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE IS EXEMPT FROM PAYING THE1
EQUAL JUSTICE FEE REQUIRED IN SUBSECTION (3)(a) OF THIS SECTION.2
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-32-101, add (9)3
as follows:4
13-32-101. Docket fees in civil actions - judicial stabilization5
cash fund - justice center cash fund - justice center maintenance fund6
- equal justice fee collection - created - report - legislative declaration.7
(9) (a) BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025, THE COURT SHALL COLLECT THE8
EQUAL JUSTICE FEE ON FILINGS SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS9
SECTION IN THE AMOUNT OF THIRTY DOLLARS ON CIVIL ACTIONS FILED IN10
DISTRICT COURT AND TEN DOLLARS ON CIVIL ACTIONS FILED IN COUNTY11
COURT, EXCEPT FOR FILINGS IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT, ON BEHALF OF THE12
EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY AND TRANSMIT THE EQUAL JUSTICE FEE IN THE13
MANNER SPECIFIED IN SECTION 13-5.7-205 (2).14
(b) AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE INCOME IS BELOW TWO HUNDRED FIFTY15
PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE IS EXEMPT FROM PAYING THE16
EQUAL JUSTICE FEE REQUIRED IN SUBSECTION (9)(a) OF THIS SECTION.17
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-32-102, add (7)18
as follows:19
13-32-102. Fees in probate proceedings - equal justice fee20
collection. (7) (a) BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025, THE COURT SHALL21
COLLECT THE EQUAL JUSTICE FEE IN THE AMOUNT OF THIRTY DOLLARS ON22
FILINGS SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTIONS (1)(a), (1)(b), AND (1)(f) OF THIS23
SECTION ON BEHALF OF THE EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY AND TRANSMIT24
THE EQUAL JUSTICE FEE IN THE MANNER SPECIFIED IN SECTION 13-5.7-20525
(2).26
(b) AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE INCOME IS BELOW TWO HUNDRED FIFTY27
1286
-14- PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LINE IS EXEMPT FROM PAYING THE1
EQUAL JUSTICE FEE REQUIRED IN SUBSECTION (7)(a) OF THIS SECTION.2
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-77-102, amend3
(15)(b)(XIX) and (15)(b)(XX); and add (15)(b)(XXI) as follows:4
24-77-102. Definitions. As used in this article 77, unless the5
context otherwise requires:6
(15) (b) "Special purpose authority" includes, but is not limited to:7
(XIX) The Colorado electric transmission authority created in8
section 40-42-103 (1); and9
(XX) The middle-income housing authority created in section10
29-4-1104 (1); AND11
(XXI) THE EQUAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY CREATED IN SECTION12
13-5.7-202.13
SECTION 7. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,14
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate15
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for16
the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state17
institutions.18
1286
-15-