Please note that CCDC’s Civil Rights Legal Program is currently at capacity for our caseload, and we are not able to consider new clients at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please click here to find resources that may meet your needs. We hope you’ll continue browsing our website to learn more about CCDC’s robust portfolio of work.
Welcome to CCDC’s Civil Rights Legal Program (CRLP). Our program is dedicated to enforcing civil rights laws through litigation, focusing particularly on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and other civil rights statutes as they impact disabled people.
CRLP’s work enforces ADA compliance and assists others in achieving the same goal. We work to not only reduce barriers in built environments that prevent disabled people from accessing physical spaces, but also ensure that policies, regulations, and procedures meet the needs of people with disabilities.
If you need help enforcing the ADA and other statutes that protect civil rights as a person with disabilities in Colorado, we invite you to contact us using the information provided here on this page. However, before you contact us, please note the following key information about how our program operates.
Types of Cases We May Handle
Before we will consider taking a case, CRLP looks at the following:
- Person(s) seeking representation have a disability
- Our program represents individuals with disabilities, organizations representing individuals with disabilities, and individuals who have a relationship with individuals with disabilities.
- Membership in CCDC
- CCDC is a membership organization, and we represent CCDC and its members. Membership is free, and you can become a member here.
- Discrimination based on a disability
- Our cases focus on situations in which individuals with disabilities are denied access to something or cannot obtain services they require due to their disability.
In addition, CCDC has another legal program that operates completely independently from the CRLP. This program, Probate Power, provides probate services, including special needs trusts and estate planning. You can learn more about Probate Power’s valuable services here.
Types of Cases We Do Not Handle/Services We Do Not Provide
We litigate cases pertaining to the civil rights of people with disabilities; we do not handle criminal defense, parole, family law (including child support, child custody, and/or divorce), personal injury, immigration, consumer fraud, insurance issues, IRS and tax, or any other matters.
We are also unable to provide general advice or other forms of assistance, such as legal research, document reviews, or referrals including attorney referral services.
If you need assistance with any of the types of cases listed above and/or you are looking for information about attorneys or organizations that assist low-income Coloradans with legal matters, please check out these resources:
- Colorado Legal Services
- “A Referral Directory, Legal Services, and Other Resources for Low-Income Coloradans” from the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations
- Denver Bar Association Pro Bono Legal Assistance
- “Find a Lawyer Directory” from the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
Additional must-have information
Our team is deeply committed to conducting legal advocacy for Colorado communities, but we are a small program with limited resources. Because of our limited capacity, we are only able to pursue a small fraction of the cases that come through our formal intake process.
All legal claims have time-sensitive deadlines. If you have an upcoming court date or deadline, we strongly advise seeking legal assistance elsewhere. We typically require several weeks or longer to respond to inquiries, and we cannot guarantee legal representation or advice.
How to connect with us
The CRLP is currently at capacity for our caseload and unable to consider new clients at this time. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please click here to find resources that may meet your needs.
If you have general questions about our program, feel free to call 303-839-1775 or email ccdclpa@ccdconline.org.
You too can support the civil rights of people with disabilities.
Simply click here, and you’ll be directed to CCDC’s giving platform where you can make a one-time or an ongoing donation. To donate specifically to CRLP, under the “Designation” section of the donation form, use the dropdown menu to change the designation from “General Fund” to “CCDC Legal Program.” Every dollar and every donation is meaningful, and we are grateful for your generosity.
Active Investigations
Royal George Cabins
On June 1, 2023, the CRLP, on behalf of CCDC and its member Rob Gilkerson, sent an opening letter to the owner of Royal Gorge Cabins, located in Canon City, Colorado, regarding physical access to its “glamping” lodgings and related businesses, and proposed entering into Structured Negotiations to make the businesses accessible to people with disabilities, including Mr. Gilkerson.
Open Legal Cases
Montoya et al. v. City of Boulder, 23-cv-01394-SKC
Montoya et al. v. City of Boulder, 23-cv-01394-SKC
Case description: On June 1, 2023, the CRLP, on behalf of Joslynn Montoya and CCDC, filed a lawsuit against the City of Boulder, including its Police Department, for failing to provide Ms. Montoya with a qualified sign language interpreter, culminating in the Boulder Police removing her two young children from her custody based on the officers’ misunderstandings.
Kontnik et al. v. Denver County Court, 2022CV032599
Kontnik et al. v. Denver County Court, 2022CV032599
Case description: On September 9, 2022, Spencer Kontnik and CCDC filed a lawsuit in Denver District Court alleging the Denver County Court discriminated against Mr. Kontnik by excluding him from jury service because he has a hearing disability.
Kolbe v. Endocrine Services, 17-cv-1871-RM-SKC
Kolbe v. Endocrine Services, 17-cv-1871-RM-SKC
Case description: On August 2, 2017, CCDC and its member Wendy Kolbe filed suit against Endocrine Services, P.C. of Pueblo, CO, for discriminating against individuals with disabilities who use service animals. Ms. Kolbe and CCDC prevailed at trial, securing a jury verdict in Ms. Kolbe’s favor and injunctive relief requiring the defendant to comply with the ADA and state law.
Denny et al. v. City and County of Denver, 2016-cv-30247
Denny et al. v. City and County of Denver, 2016-cv-30247
Case description: The Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center and CCDC brought a class-action lawsuit against the City and County of Denver for failure to provide compliant curb ramps that allow access to people who use wheelchairs or scooters.