Applying for a Colorado Public Defender
Public defenders only represent people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Contact any of the 21 trial offices for assistance with applying.
Note: The application forms are provided by the courts and may not be available in all languages.
Step 1
Fill out a Public Defender Application
If you are out of jail, fill out the Application for State Paid Professional completely. If you are under eighteen years of age, your parents, guardians or legal custodian must complete the Application for Public Defender in a Juvenile Delinquency Case.
Need help filling out the form? A public defender office can help answer questions about the application process.
Application (Aplicación para solicitar un abogado defensor público)
Applying from a smartphone
Only have access to a phone? You can still complete and send the application.
If you are currently in jail
If you are in jail, you automatically qualify for our services. Learn more about the first 48 hours after arrest.
Step 2
Collect Proof of Income and Documentation
Proof of income may be required. If you are under 18, proof of your parent, guardian, or custodian’s income may also be required, including:
- Pay stubs
- Income tax returns
- Letters from employers
- Award letters from SSI or unemployment
Supporting Documentation:
You may need information about the finances of other members of your household. Household income includes income from family members living in the household who contribute to household expenses. It does not include a roommate’s income unless you have access to or ownership rights in that income.
Refer to the Adult and Juvenile Public Defender Applications for more information about required financial documentation, or contact any public defender office for assistance.
Step 3
Find and Contact a Public Defender Office to Submit Application
You can turn the application in at any of our 21 trial offices across the state regardless of where you are charged.
If you do not know which office serves your case, contact the closest office to you to get further instructions about whether you need to visit in person or can submit the application another way.
Use the tool below to find the public defender office that serves the county where your case is filed.
Start here: Select the county where your case is filed to find the office to contact.
Find the Public Defender Office for Your County
Select a county to find the public defender office that serves that county.
Not sure what county your case is in? View all public defender offices.
Understanding Your Legal Options
Understanding Legal Representation and Alternatives in Colorado
What Does a Public Defender Do?
The Office of the Colorado State Public Defender works to ensure that all persons accused are able to receive quality legal representation, regardless of their financial means. This is an important safeguard that levels the playing field for individuals who are unable to pay for a lawyer.
Bail and Pretrial Release
Being in jail is an awful and dehumanizing experience. Public defenders fight to get their clients released. Evidence shows that people who are free while their case is moving through the court system are more likely to have better outcomes than if they are in jail.
Municipal or Federal Charges
The Colorado State Public Defender only represents people accused of crimes in Colorado state courts. We do not represent people who are accused in the municipal or federal courts.
Conflicts of Interest – Alternate Defense Counsel
The Public Defender may find that it has a conflict of interest in representing you. The most common reason this happens is if you were accused of a crime along with other people who were also charged.
What to do if you don't qualify
CCDB is the state-wide organization of criminal defense lawyers. Many people do not qualify for the services of OSPD because they do not meet the eligibility criteria. The CCDB website has a Find A Lawyer service that will help people identify lawyers who practice in the jurisdiction where the charges have been filed and who have experience in the area of criminal law. Potential clients have the ability to review information about these lawyers before they make a decision about who they might hire.
