To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Katherine Smith, Director, Community Resources
Prepared By:
prepared
Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners’ Office
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presenter
Presenter: Katherine Smith, Director, Community Resources
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Subject:
title
1:00 PM *Select Source Purchasing Waiver Request for Colorado Legal Services
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
Staff is seeking approval of a select source purchasing waiver for eviction support services with Colorado Legal Services.
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Background and Discussion: Colorado Legal Services (CLS) has provided eviction support services for Arapahoe County residents since 2021, supporting more than 3,000 individuals. The county procured these services using one-time federal funds, partnering with the 18th Judicial District to provide courthouse space and promote resource availability. CLS expended allocated funding earlier this year, which eliminated the dedicated program for county residents. Given eviction rates remain at an all-time high, a supplemental budget request was approved June 10, 2025, to continue these services through year end.
Colorado Legal Services will continue operations of the eviction legal services program in Arapahoe County. The program provides legal information clinics in the Arapahoe County Courthouse for tenants facing eviction, and serves/represents clients in evictions and other housing disputes, with a goal to:
a. Reduce preventable evictions
b. Mitigate eviction-related consequences
c. Enhance housing stability
d. Connect tenants with community resources
Colorado Legal Services will provide legal information and know your rights trainings for all tenants who have come physically to the courthouse on their eviction return date in both English and Spanish. Colorado Legal Services will facilitate a careful development of appropriate legal defenses and strategies for tenants who wish to contend their eviction in court and have meritorious defenses.
The Colorado Legal Services Arapahoe County Clinic will also continue its focus on addressing the non-legal aspects of each client’s situation. Most legal problems do not exist in a vacuum; legal issues are inextricably intertwined with clients’ physical, mental, interpersonal, educational and economic needs. Focusing on the resolution of a client’s legal problem without considering a client’s additional non-legal needs makes a lasting resolution and long-term stability less likely.
The program will provide one supervising attorney, one staff attorney, and part-time paralegal support to work with clients who reside in Arapahoe County. The staff will use County office space near or inside the courthouse to provide these services on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 1:30 p.m. each week.
Given the expiration of CLS’ subrecipient agreement earlier this year, a select source waiver is required from the purchasing division to re-establish a contractual relationship in alignment with the County’s adopted purchasing policies. CLS is a trusted and recognized resource, uniquely positioned to “hit the ground running” and reinstitute expanded services. The nonprofit also brings deep expertise, documented success, and established relationships with our judicial system, offering the county a critical partner to address resident needs. CLS is recognized throughout the region and state as the expert in providing dedicated clinical resources for county residents.
Fiscal Impact: $200,000 - these funds were already allocated as part of the Q1 supplemental appropriation that was approved on June 10, 2025.
Alternatives: The County could solicit a request for qualifications and establish a new program, which would result in delayed services and resident outcomes.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☐Be fiscally sustainable
☐Provide essential and mandated service
☒Be community focused
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends approving the select source waiver as presented.
Concurrence: Commissioners’ Office, Community Resources, and Finance Departments.