Law Student Internships

Throughout the year, and especially during the summer, the Colorado Public Defender offers a unique opportunity for law students to experience the world of indigent criminal defense. The Colorado State Public Defender offers paid, unpaid and for-credit internships for law students.

The Colorado Public Defender is a state-wide system serving 64 counties with 21 regional offices, and an appellate office. The process for applying for an appellate division internship is published on our website HERE .

Certified Post-2L Interns

Certified intern positions are available for law students who have completed their second year at an accredited law school, are eligible for certification under Colorado’s student practice rule as set forth in Colo. RCP 205.7, and have submitted the Requisite Form to the Colorado Supreme Court Attorney Registration Office.

Certified interns are assigned a caseload of misdemeanor, traffic or juvenile delinquency cases. Under the supervision of a licensed public defender, certified interns prepare cases outside of court and conduct pre-trial and post-trial hearings and sometimes jury trials. This demanding internship is an extraordinary opportunity to receive intensive courtroom advocacy experience. Summer certified interns participate in a week long rigorous training program before they begin their internship.

Uncertified Post-1L and 2L Interns

Volunteers and interns for credit conduct investigation, research criminal law issues, assist public defenders in misdemeanor and felony cases.

Undergraduate and Paralegal Internships

Some offices also provide opportunities for undergraduate students and paralegal students.

Instructions for Applying for a Paid Certified Summer Post-2L Internship:

We will accept applications for paid summer intern positions beginning August 15, 2019 through November 1, 2019. If you are interested in applying, please send your resume and cover letter to Carol Gutierrez at carol.gutierrez@coloradodefenders.us.

Instructions for Applying for an Unpaid Certified Non-Denver/Boulder Metro-Area Summer Internship:

We accept applications for summer internships in non-Denver/Boulder metro area offices starting on October 1st until the positions are filled.

We encourage you to consider interning in one of our offices outside of the Denver-Boulder metropolitan area as Denver/Boulder metro area internships are limited. If you would like to apply to any office other than the Denver/Boulder metro-area offices (which are Boulder, Denver, Golden, Brighton, Arapahoe, and Castle Rock), send an email with a cover letter and resume to:

Alamosa: Ms. Jamie Keairns, Jamie.Keairns@coloradodefenders.us
Colorado Springs: Deana O’Riley, Deana.O’Riley@coloradodefenders.us
Dillon: Ms. Stacey Shobe, dillon.pubdef@coloradodefenders.us
Durango: Mr. Justin Bogan, justin.bogan@coloradodefenders.us
Ft. Collins: Ms. Tracy Lowrey, Mr. Matthew Morriss, fortcollins.pubdef@coloradodefenders.us
Glenwood Springs: Mr. Scott Troxell, Scott.Troxell@coloradodefenders.us
Grand Junction: Mr. Steve Colvin, junction.pubdef@coloradodefenders.us
Greeley: Ms. Michele Newell, Michele.Newell@coloradodefenders.us
La Junta: Mr. Raymond Torrez, raymond.torrez@coloradodefenders.us
Montrose: Ms. Kori Zapletal, Kori.Zapletal@coloradodefenders.us
Pueblo: Mr. Alby Singleton, Albert.Singleton@coloradodefenders.us
Salida: Mr. Dan Zettler, daniel.zettler@coloradodefenders.us
Steamboat Springs: Ms. Sheryl Uhlmann, sheryl.uhlmann@coloradodefenders.us
Sterling: Mr. Brian Johnson, Brian.Johnson@coloradodefenders.us
Trinidad: Mr. Patrick McCarville, Patrick.McCarville@coloradodefenders.us

Instructions for Applying for an Unpaid Denver/Boulder Metro-Area Summer Internship:

Prospective interns seeking a summer Denver-Boulder metro-area unpaid internship will have their application transmitted to the intern supervisors for the following offices: Arapahoe, Boulder, Brighton, Castle Rock, Denver, and Golden. We begin accepting summer applications starting on October 1st until the positions are filled (usually mid-March).

Application Materials:
Apply by sending an email to intern@coloradodefenders.us. You must attach a resume and cover letter. Please include in the subject line, your class year, the time period that you are applying for, and a list of all the offices for which you would like to be considered.

Please include the following information in the body of the email:

• If you have a preference for placement, please include that information and an explanation.
• If you are applying to any office outside of the Denver/Boulder metro area (as described above).
• If you are receiving a fellowship and/or a stipend.
• If there is a reason (for example, fellowship deadlines) that you need to know whether you will be offered an internship by a specific date.

Interview Process:
The intern supervisors for these offices will conduct panel interviews of selected applicants. We will be able to do these interviews over the phone or video conferencing for out-of-state applicants and will contact you about scheduling the interview.

Instructions for Applying for a Fall & Spring Internship/Externship:

We accept applications for the Fall and Spring semesters on a rolling basis. We recommend submitting applications for Fall internships at the end of July and applications for Spring internships at the beginning of November. Send your information directly to the office where you want to apply. Contact information for our 21 Regional Offices can be found HERE.

Instructions for Applying for an Undergraduate and Paralegal Internships/Externship:

Please contact the office where you are interested in interning if you are seeking an undergraduate or paralegal internship. Contact information for our 21 Regional Offices can be found HERE.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

The Office of the Colorado State Public Defender provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability or other protected status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.