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Nonprofiteer
← COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES.

Totals

Total revenue
$24,965,965
Total expenses
$25,059,712
Contributions and grants received
$24,145,878
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$2,683
Investment income
$817,404
Other revenue
$0
Total assets, end of year
$18,939,963
Total liabilities, end of year
$4,481,158
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$14,458,805
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$22,975,601
Management and general expenses
$1,835,138
Fundraising expenses
$248,973
Program service expenses (Part III)
$22,975,601

Program services were 91.7% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $13,261,219

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $10,884,659

  • 2a · Program service revenue: ATTORNEY FEES

    total $2,683 · related or exempt $2,683

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $817,404 · excluded $817,404

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $746,667 · program services $29,005 · management and general $714,482 · fundraising $3,180

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $15,669,331 · program services $15,023,614 · management and general $485,122 · fundraising $160,595

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $3,441,904 · program services $3,216,651 · management and general $190,449 · fundraising $34,804

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,229,111 · program services $1,130,782 · management and general $86,038 · fundraising $12,291

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $149,704 · program services $137,728 · management and general $10,479 · fundraising $1,497

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $92,543 · management and general $92,543

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $583,424 · program services $536,750 · management and general $40,840 · fundraising $5,834

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $3,547 · program services $3,264 · management and general $248 · fundraising $35

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $670,583 · program services $616,936 · management and general $46,941 · fundraising $6,706

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,593,110 · program services $1,465,661 · management and general $111,518 · fundraising $15,931

  • 17 · Travel

    total $486,406 · program services $447,494 · management and general $34,048 · fundraising $4,864

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $41,377 · program services $38,067 · management and general $2,896 · fundraising $414

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $71,886 · program services $66,135 · management and general $5,032 · fundraising $719

  • 24a · Other expenses: MEMBERSHIP FEES

    total $72,924 · program services $72,924

  • 24b · Other expenses: LIBRARY UPDATES

    total $69,100 · program services $63,572 · management and general $4,837 · fundraising $691

  • 24c · Other expenses: EQUIPMENT RENTAL

    total $52,971 · program services $48,733 · management and general $3,708 · fundraising $530

  • 24d · Other expenses: SUB CONTRACTS

    total $36,425 · program services $33,511 · management and general $2,550 · fundraising $364

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $48,699 · program services $44,774 · management and general $3,407 · fundraising $518

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $392,560 · end of year $376,714

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $15,960,445 · end of year $15,466,638

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $967,560 · end of year $1,185,902

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $74,011 · end of year $57,583

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $496,279

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $496,279

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $13,391 · end of year $0

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $1,826,112 · end of year $1,853,126

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,036,363 · end of year $1,298,246

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $1,896,055 · end of year $1,238,509

  • 21 · Escrow or custodial account liability

    beginning of year $109,183 · end of year $275,419

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $1,639,926 · end of year $1,668,984

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $9,376,178 · end of year $9,907,216

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $5,176,374 · end of year $4,551,589

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY, CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES IN THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE FOR AS MANY LOW INCOME PERSONS AND MEMBERS OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS THROUGHOUT COLORADO AS POSSIBLE.

Activities or mission (Part I)

PROVIDES ACCESS TO QUALITY CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES TO AS MANY PEOPLE IN COLORADO AS POSSIBLE.

  • COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES (CLS) IS COLORADO'S STATEWIDE LEGAL AID NONPROFIT THAT HAS SERVED COLORADANS IN POVERTY FOR 100 YEARS, GUIDING THROUGH DIFFICULT CIVIL LEGAL MATTERS. WE REPRESENT COLORADANS WHO MEET INCOME AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR FREE. OUR 12 OFFICES HELP PEOPLE FACING A VARIETY OF LEGAL PROBLEMS IN EIGHT PRIMARY AREAS OF WORK, WHICH INCLUDE THESE FOUR CORE PRACTICE AREAS, AS WELL AS FOUR STATEWIDE SPECIALTY AREAS. THESE AREAS ARE ECONOMIC JUSTICE ( DEBT COLLECTION, BANKRUPTCY, GARNISHMENT, REPOSSESSION), FAMILY LAW ( DIVORCE, CUSTODY AND PROTECTION ORDERS), HOUSING ( EVICTIONS, FORECLOSURES AND LANDLORD/ TENANT ISSUES) AND PUBLIC BENEFITS ( SS, MEDICARE, MEDICAID AND SNAP).DURING 2024 CLS CLOSED 8,452 CASES. CLS SERVED 1500 HOUSEHOLDS, OVER 500 PEOPLE CONNECTED TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND KEPT OVER 2000 PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES IN AURORA, ARAPAHOE, ENGLEWOOD, LITTLETON, AND CENTENNIAL.

    Expenses $22,975,601 · Revenue $2,683

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Sarah Lipka

    DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY SOUTH

    Total calculated
    $189,808
    From this org
    $142,127
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $47,681
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $142,127
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $47,681
    Filer's total
    $189,808

  • Matthew Baca

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $178,111
    From this org
    $176,592
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $1,519
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $176,592
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,519
    Filer's total
    $178,111

  • Molly Ryan

    SENIOR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $174,524
    From this org
    $151,325
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,199
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $151,325
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,199
    Filer's total
    $174,524

  • Karin M Troendle

    DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY NORTH

    Total calculated
    $145,787
    From this org
    $127,106
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,681
    Hours/week
    40

  • Daniella Correa-Shively

    MANAGING ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $144,183
    From this org
    $128,647
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,536
    Hours/week
    40

  • Joel Minor

    DEPUTY DIR. OF ADVOCACY

    Total calculated
    $140,450
    From this org
    $122,746
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $17,704
    Hours/week
    40

  • Maureen Farrell-Stevenson

    MANAGING ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $130,890
    From this org
    $128,397
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $2,493
    Hours/week
    40

  • Claire Dickson

    MANAGING ATTORNEY

    Total calculated
    $129,528
    From this org
    $128,397
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $1,131
    Hours/week
    40

  • Edgar McCullough

    DIRECTOR OF FINANCE (THRU OF 7/24)

    Total calculated
    $101,491
    From this org
    $92,361
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,130
    Hours/week
    40

  • Silvia Zelaya

    DR OF FINANCE (AS OF 6/24)

    Total calculated
    $93,187
    From this org
    $82,493
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,694
    Hours/week
    40

  • Maureen Terjak

    DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY (THRU OF 3/24)

    Total calculated
    $69,052
    From this org
    $64,216
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $4,836
    Hours/week
    40

  • Tina Smith

    BOARD CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • John P Frey

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kenzo Kawanabe

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kymberly Merrick

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Michelle Adams

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Anne Castle

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Melissa Decker

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jerome Deherrera

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Karla Gomez

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Amber Gonzales

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Paula Greisen

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Patricia Hall

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Franz Hardy

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Nancy Hijar

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jeffrey Johnson

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Henry Kroll

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kirsten Kurath

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Joi Kush

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kimberly Lord

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Betty Marroquin

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Meredith Munro

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Meshach Rhoades

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Helen Starr

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Danielle Survine

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kara Veitch

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Daniel Vigil

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Rachel Wallace

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment

Answered no

  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 4A
DURING CALENDAR YEAR 2024 THE INDIVIDUALS LISTED BELOW RECEIVED SEVERANCE PAY: MAUREEN TERJAK $27,716 ED MCCULLOUGH $14,913

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
7 August 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202502319349300220

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