As I conclude my fifth year on the COLTAF Board and my second year as Board President, I want to thank everyone involved for their support and commitment as we faced difficult challenges. When my term began, interest rates were at an all-time high, and therefore we were able to disburse more money than we ever had before. However, in just a few short years, interest rates have plummeted to record lows and COLTAF has been faced with hard decisions. It has been a roller coaster ride, for sure. Last year we were faced with the prospects of a court ruling that would have had an adverse effect on the program. Fortunately, the United States Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of these programs.

This year we maintained the status quo in terms of the economy and the amount of money that COLTAF was able to grant. The economy seems to be picking up in other parts of the country faster than it is in Colorado. We are getting bits of information, indicating that a turn-around is near, but interest rates continued to fall slightly during this period, resulting in less revenue than last year. Since COLTAF’s income is dependent on interest rates, a fraction of a percentage point, which may seem very insignificant, can make a huge difference with these pooled funds. We continue to be optimistic that interest rates will soon start heading up.

Based on the revenue available, the Board voted to fund programs at the same level as last year, knowing that most of them were feeling the effects of the economy as well. We distributed a total of $900,000 to programs that provide civil legal assistance to low-income people statewide. Unfortunately, it is almost certain that COLTAF will not be able to fund programs at the same level in the upcoming year, and this decreased funding will make it difficult for our primary grantees. COLTAF continues to investigate possible amendments to Rule 1.15, which could enhance revenue. Other states have implemented such provisions, and COLTAF will be keeping a close eye on the data collected by these states to determine if Colorado should consider similar measures.

We appreciate the banks that demonstrate their community leadership by continuing to pay higher interest rates and not charging remittance fees to COLTAF, nor service charges or activity charges to account holders. We encourage attorneys to hold their accounts at these Honor Roll banks, or to work with other banks to bring them to this distinguished status. COLTAF funds play a vital role in our communities and we thank all banks that support this endeavor.

I would like to thank our Board members for their service, their leadership and participation on committees, and their commitment to ensuring legal assistance for those less fortunate. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to our dedicated staff, Maryan Sneed, Vicki Capek and Debbie Gallegos who took on increased responsibilities this spring and summer to ensure that COLTAF continued to run smoothly while we search for and hire a new executive director.

I am honored to have served as COLTAF’s Board President and to have worked with all the dedicated people involved. I look forward to another year on the Board, and the leadership of our incoming Board President, David Butler.

Sincerely,

Kirsten M. Kurath, President

What is COLTAF?

The Colorado Lawyer Trust Account Foundation (COLTAF) was established in 1982 to help fund organizations that meet one or more of these purposes:

COLTAF gratefully acknowledges the Honor Roll banks for their support and community leadership. The Gold Honor Roll banks pay an average interest rate of 1.50% and higher, and Silver Honor Roll banks pay 1% to 1.49% on COLTAF accounts (as of June 30, 2004). In addition, these banks do not charge service charges or activity charges to account holders, nor remittance fees to COLTAF.

Air Academy National Bank
Bank West
Colorado State Bank & Trust (all branches)
First United Bank (all branches)
Pine River Valley Bank
UMB Bank of Colorado (all branches)
WestStar Bank (all branches)

SILVER HONOR ROLL

COLTAF funding for the Pro Bono programs, like the Discretionary programs, remained the same this year. Grants totaling $70,000 were made available to 15 programs. These programs are state-wide with varying economies and populations. From the rural communities to the metropolitan areas, the common thread is that all of the clients are poor and can’t afford legal assistance.

Every case does not require representation in court. Sometimes counseling, informational presentations and printed hand-outs can address the problem. Pro se clinics are proving to be a great asset where they are available.

Pro Bono service is not required in Colorado. Volunteer attorneys provide personal time and commitment. The only compensation they receive is the knowledge that they are making a difference in someone’s life … and in their community.

The following programs received Pro Bono grants:

Boulder County Legal Services $ 2,000
Delta County Bar Association $ 2,000
El Paso County Bar Association $ 5,500
Garfield Legal Services $ 6,000
Larimer County Bar Association $ 6,500
Mesa County Bar Association $ 5,250
Metro Volunteer Lawyers $ 6,000
Northeast Colorado Legal Services $ 5,000
NW Colorado Legal Services—Dillon $ 1,500
NW Colorado Legal Services—Gunnison $ 750
NW Colorado Legal Services—Steamboat $ 2,000
San Luis Valley Bar Association $ 5,500
Southwest Colorado Bar Association $ 4,000
Uncompahgre Volunteer Legal Aid $ 9,500
Weld County Legal Services $ 8,500

Total Pro Bono Grants $70,000

 Discretionary Grants - $30,000

This past year the sluggish economy continued to impact interest rates on COLTAF accounts. The funding available for Discretionary Grants remained virtually the same as the previous funding cycle, which was $30,000. Eleven programs, all prior grantees, were invited to re-apply for funding. All of the programs receiving funding support safe havens for children and victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. Assistance with civil restraining orders and legal advocacy services for the victims were the primary requests for projects to be funded.

The grantees represent all geographical areas of the state. They range from isolated rural communities to mid-size towns and larger metropolitan areas. Regardless of their size or location, they all have one thing in common— advocating for victims of domestic violence.

---

Advocates against Battering & Abuse, Steamboat Springs
-Awarded $2,900 to assist with civil restraining orders for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Serves Routt County.

Advocates Against Domestic Assault, Trinidad
-Awarded $3,240 to maintain and increase advocacy services of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Serves Trinidad and 11 isolated communities in Las Animas and Huerfano Counties.

Advocates Crisis Support Services, Craig
-Awarded $2,040 for a civil restraining order project. Serves Moffat County.

Alternatives to Violence, Loveland
-Awarded $3,000 for Court Liaison Program. Serves Larimer County.

Arkansas Valley Resource Center, Inc., La Junta
-Awarded $2,700 for legal advocacy services.for victims of domestic violence. Serves Bent and Otero Counties.

Crossroads Safehouse, Inc., Fort Collins
-Awarded $2,900 to assist with cell phone costs for Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART). Serves Larimer County.

Domestic Violence Initiative for Women with Disabilities, Denver
-Awarded $3,000 for court advocacy for families living with disabilities due to domestic or caregiver abuse. Serves metropolitan area.

Family Crisis Services, Inc., Cañon City
-Awarded $2,100 for legal advocacy services. Serves Fremont and Custer Counties.

Pueblo YWCA Family Crisis Shelter, Pueblo
-Awarded $3,260 for legal advocacy program. Serves Pueblo County.

Tri-County Resource Center, Montrose
-Awarded $2,280 for legal advocacy program. Serves Montrose, Delta and Ouray Counties.

Tu-Casa, Inc., Alamosa
-Awarded $2,580 for legal advocacy project. Serves the San Luis Valley.

 

---

STAFF Maryan Sneed, Interim Director Vicki Capek, Administrator Debra Gallegos, Administrative Assistant COLTAF shares staff with the Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado. Address: 1900 Grant Street, Suite 1112 Denver, Colorado 80203-4309 Phone: 303-863-7221 • Fax: 303-861-5274 • E-mail: coltaf@legalaidfoundation.org • Website: www.coltaf.org