Legal Resource Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
El Paso and Teller County legal organizations and nonprofits to host free legal resource day
Event will include legal presentations, advice and assistance

Friday October 25, 2024 (COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.) – The 4th Judicial District Access to Justice
Committee will host a free Legal Resource Day from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25th, at the El Paso
County Judicial Building located at 270 South Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903. Attendees can
speak one-on-one with attorneys at no cost. The event will include presentations from local attorneys
on eviction, guardianships, small claims, and consumer rights. Local agencies and nonprofits will be in
attendance to provide information about services available in our community.

The 4th Judicial District, the Access to Justice Committee for the 4th Judicial District, The Justice Center,
the Colorado Judicial Institute, The El Paso County Bar Association, and Colorado Legal Services are
organizing the event.

An increasing number of Coloradans each year represent themselves in court, either by choice or because
they cannot afford an attorney. The court system can be intimidating and sometimes overwhelming without
an attorney’s guidance. The organizations hosting this event are committed to providing people without
attorneys the information and education they need to be prepared to appear before a judge.

According to the Colorado Judicial Branch, last year there were over 40,000 district and county court civil
cases filed in the 4th judicial district. 66% of litigants were pro se in these county court civil cases.
“When Coloradans represent themselves in court, we know their chances of success are reduced,” said El
Paso County District Court Judge Dennis McGuire. “While many in our court system, as well as organizations
like Colorado Legal Services and The Justice Center, work year-round to help Coloradans access legal
representation, we come together as a community each year at the courthouse to answer questions,
provide resources, and help people better understand their legal options if they will be representing
themselves in court.”

More than 150 people attend this event each year seeking free legal assistance. In previous years,
attendees said the event helped them to gain a better understanding of their legal case. Many
attendees valued the opportunity to receive free legal advice about a case impacting their lives.
The event will feature free one-on-one legal advice; workshops on topics like evictions, small claims, and
guardianship, consumer rights; and helpful resources. Local nonprofits and agencies will be onsite to
provide information about their services.

To request special accommodations for Legal Resource Day go to justicecentercos.org/lrd. For more
information on this event, email the 4th Judicial District Self-Help Center at
[email protected].