Important notice regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19): To help protect your health and the health of our staff, some of our offices may at times close periodically or have limited hours. We are always available during normal business hours by phone and email. To contact one of our offices, please see the list of offices here. If you need to apply for the services of the Colorado State Public Defender, please see here.  If you need additional information about the courthouse in your jurisdiction, please see the Judicial Branch website for additional information. 

Office of the Colorado State Public Defender
Answering Gideon’s Call For Four Decades
“The right of one charged with crime to counsel may not be deemed fundamental and essential to fair trials in some countries, but it is in ours.“
–Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963)

Mission:
The mission of the Office of the State Public Defender is to defend and protect the rights, liberties, and dignity of those accused of crimes who cannot afford to retain counsel. We do so by providing constitutionally and statutorily mandated representation that is effective, zealous, inspired and compassionate.

OSPD Enabling Legislation:
The general assembly hereby declares that the state public defender at all times shall serve his clients independently of any political considerations or private interests, provide legal services to indigent persons accused of crime that are commensurate with those available to nonindigents, and conduct the office in accordance with the Colorado rules of professional conduct and with the American Bar Association standards relating to the administration of criminal justice, the defense function.  C.R.S. 21-1-101(1)

Request For Administrative Records | Transparency Online Project (TOP)