The Colorado Lawyer Trust Account Foundation (COLTAF) Board of Directors has approved additional funding for Colorado Legal Services to help sustain critical civil legal aid services amid growing demand for legal aid and a challenging funding landscape. With this additional investment, Colorado Legal Services’ June 2026 General Support distribution totals $5.47 million. The decision comes as civil legal aid organizations across Colorado and the nation face mounting financial pressures, even as the need for legal assistance continues to grow.

In a request to the COLTAF Board, Colorado Legal Services Executive Director Matt Baca outlined the unprecedented challenges facing the organization, including rising demand for services alongside significant reductions in federal funding. Colorado Legal Services has faced significant federal funding cuts over the past two years, while experiencing increased demand from Coloradans facing eviction, loss of public benefits, immigration challenges, and other civil legal issues.

The supplemental funding will help Colorado Legal Services preserve access to essential civil legal services while the organization continues to diversify its funding and navigate ongoing uncertainty.

“In a time of decreases to legal aid funding and a world that requires more legal aid lawyers at the exact time that resources are declining, COLTAF’s continued support is as meaningful as ever,” said Matt. “With COLTAF’s partnership, I believe we can bridge this difficult moment and emerge in a more stable future.”

Matt Baca, Colorado Legal Services Executive Director & Jordan Bates-Rogers, COLTAF Executive Director

Investing in Colorado Legal Services means investing in access to justice across Colorado. This funding helps the organization respond where the need is greatest, whether that means helping families remain housed, assisting survivors of crime, protecting access to health care and public benefits, or providing legal representation in countless other civil matters that impact the health, safety, and stability of Colorado communities.

As funding challenges continue across the legal aid landscape, COLTAF remains committed to investing IOLTA resources where they can have the greatest impact, helping ensure that low-income Coloradans continue to have access to the legal help they need. COLTAF is grateful to the Prime Partner banks, lawyers, LLPs, and all those whose support helps make investments like this possible.