As of March 2023, Colorado’s certified paralegals have the opportunity to apply for licensing to work as independent paraprofessionals.
The new law implemented by the Colorado Supreme Court and the Colorado State Bar Association is one of the first of its kind to provide occupational licenses to non-lawyers for providing direct legal support.
If you’re thinking about becoming a paralegal in Denver, this is the guide for you.
In the guide below, you can learn more about the new paralegal license for Colorado’s legal assistants, find out more about paralegal job duties, and get an overview of some of the best paralegal schools in Denver.
Best Paralegal Schools in Denver
The best paralegal schools in Denver prepare local students for certification or licensure.
Program graduates who complete American Bar Association-approved or NALA-certified paralegal programs meet the requirements for working as entry-level paralegals and licensed paraprofessionals in Colorado.
1 Community College of Denver
Future Denver paralegals excited about beginning their legal career in Colorado have three options for paralegal education at the Community College of Denver.
Legal students can earn an associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies that allows them to sit for national certification exams and apply for Colorado’s Licensed Legal Paraprofessional LLP credential, which allows license holders to perform limited legal services.
Their transfer option equips students with the solid legal foundation needed to continue their education in law school.
Certificate programs offer bite-sized paralegal education tidbits that meet state requirements.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Writing
- Civil Litigation
- Constitutional Law
- Evidence
- Family Law
Contact Information
- Address: 1111 West Colfax Avenue, Denver, Colorado - 80204
- Phone: 303-556-2600
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Colorado Mountain College
Working students and those seeking part-time paralegal education can enroll in Colorado Mountain College’s virtual paralegal studies program.
This web-based program introduces paralegal trainees to the fundamentals, concepts, and rules of law needed to work as supervised and independent paraprofessionals in Colorado.
Program graduates leave CMC ready for national certification and state licensure.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Law
- Family Law
- Substantive Criminal Law
- Legal Research and Writing I and II
- Civil Litigation
- Legal Ethics
Contact Information
- Address: 802 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, Colorado - 81601
- Phone: 970-945-8691
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Arapahoe Community College
Distance-based paralegal students get online learning support through Arapaho Community College’s paralegal studies program.
Their hybrid program combines independent study with immersive online lectures to teach students the legal skills needed to conduct legal investigations and use the latest technologies in conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, and e-filing paperwork.
The American Bar Association has approved Arapahoe’s paralegal program, which meets standards for substantive legal education. This program also meets NALA certification requirements.
Courses Offered
- Family Law
- E-Discovery
- Litigation Technology
- Contracts
- Intellectual Property
- Property Law
- Introduction to Law
Contact Information
- Address: 4500 Limelight Avenue, Castle Rock, Colorado - 80109
- Phone: 303-660-3160
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Metropolitan State University of Denver
The Metropolitan State University of Denver shows its commitment to providing the best paralegal education in its paralegal program that operates in partnership with its Center for Legal Studies.
Students seeking to begin careers as legal assistants and those building a foundation for law school can learn substantive legal concepts by earning one of six legal certificates for local paralegals.
Their paralegal certificate program offers an intensive overview of the legal profession.
It prepares certificate holders to apply for state licensure and national certification upon completion.
Courses Offered
- The American Legal System
- Legal Analysis
- Legal Terminology
- Legal Interviewing
- Civil Procedure
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies
Contact Information
- Address: 890 Aurarria Parkway, Denver, Colorado - 80217
- Phone: 303-556-5740
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Front Range Community College
Front Range Community College offers long-term and short-term options for working toward a paralegal degree or certificate in Colorado.
Their two-year degree program introduces paralegal trainees to the concepts needed to interpret the legal system of the United States and Colorado law.
Students can take classes that include self-paced study and immersive live lecture options.
Certificate-seeking students will learn the substantive legal concepts needed to complete national certification.
Degree-seeking students will take general education courses and foundational legal courses, leading to an Associate of Applied Sciences degree.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Ethics
- Legal Research
- Civil Litigation
- Legal Writing
- Contracts
Contact Information
- Address: 2190 Miller Drive, Longmont, Colorado - 80501
- Phone: 303-678-3722
- Website: Visit School Website
6 CLS
CLS operates an online vocational school that accepts Denver paralegal trainees.
Their internet-based curriculum follows ABA standards for legal education.
Students get comprehensive online paralegal education by enrolling at CLS, which partners with two Colorado-based universities to deliver a localized paralegal curriculum.
Paralegal trainees can choose to partner with Adams State University in Golden, CO, or the Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Both of these self-paced online programs offer comprehensive paralegal studies programs that meet Colorado state standards for paralegal education.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Paralegal Studies
- The American Legal System
- Advanced Legal Writing
- Appellate Procedure
- Formal Advocacy
- Informal Advocacy
Contact Information
- Address: 12222 Merit Drive, Dallas, Texas - 75251
- Phone: 1-800-522-7737
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Community College of Aurora
Associate degree-seeking students can get two years of comprehensive paralegal education via the Community College of Aurora.
Their hybrid paralegal program offers online and offline training.
Future paralegals can take advantage of self-paced study options and instructor-led lectures that teach legal trainees about local rules, regulations, state laws, and legal procedures.
CCA issues an ABA-approved certificate of completion that meets state standards and prepares students to take the next step in their journey toward paralegal certification.
Courses Offered
- ABA Approved Paralegal Studies
- Paralegal Specialty Courses
- Legal Research and Writing
- Criminal Law
- Torts
- Family Law
- Current Issues in Law
Contact Information
- Address: 16000 East Centre Tech Parkway, Aurora, Colorado - 80011
- Phone: 303-360-4700
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Paralegal Salary Information
Denver’s paralegals make relatively high salaries.
Online salary reports show that legal support professionals in Denver make salaries that can add up to as much as $88,000.00 a year (or more) when legal compensation packages include health insurance, 401K matching, and other work-life benefits.
The average annual salary for local paralegals is over $79,000.00 a year.
Even Denver’s lowest-paid paralegals command hefty salaries at $71,502.00 per year.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$71K |
|
$79K |
|
$88K |
Average Salary in Denver, CO
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Denver | $79,000 |
Paralegal Job Duties in Denver
Paralegals have traditionally served as the backbone of law firms, courtrooms, and the corporate legal departments that rely on their services.
While this still remains true, Colorado’s paralegals have recently taken on new roles and are now providing front-line legal support for local families.
The following are a few examples of the typical job duties of Denver paralegals.
Legal Research and Document Preparation:
Legal assistants often start their days by reviewing relevant documents and compiling case files for practicing attorneys.
They conduct legal research to learn about relevant statutes and regulations that apply to active cases.
Legal Analysis and Communications:
Administrative office assistants use legal terminology and excellent communication skills to report the results of legal analysis to attorneys, clients, and other parties involved in current court cases.
Client Interviewing and Engagement:
Denver paralegals interview clients upon intake and offer support and advice throughout the legal process.
They also interview witnesses, appear at depositions, and compile the results in case files to help lawyers prepare for trial.
Administrative Office Tasks:
The day in the life of a Colorado paralegal is not all glitz and glamour.
These indispensable legal office specialists often spend a great deal of time on administrative tasks like appointment scheduling, photocopying documents, scheduling court appearances, and managing case files.
One of the most important job duties of today’s paralegals is to maintain legal ethics and adhere to regulations when providing direct and indirect legal support.
Colorado’s justice system relies on its paralegals to maintain good moral character and adhere to the law.
Do I Need a License to Work as a Paralegal in Denver?
Acquiring a paralegal license is an option for new legal assistants starting their careers in Denver.
Colorado’s paralegals are in the unique position of being able to start their careers as supervised support professionals who work under the direction of a licensed local attorney or as independent paraprofessionals who maintain their clients and provide limited legal services as permitted by the Colorado Supreme Court.
Certified Paralegals
Supervised paralegals can begin their entry-level careers by completing a certification-based paralegal program or an ABA-approved paralegal studies program.
These programs provide a foundational introduction to the legal field and prepare students with the substantive knowledge needed to earn certification credentials.
Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals
Certified paralegals who have completed their paralegal studies and want to become independent paraprofessionals must complete the licensing requirements set forth by the Colorado State Bar Association and Supreme Court.
Licensing rules state that new parapros must graduate from an accredited certification-based or ABA-approved program and have the required number of substantive legal practice hours to qualify for licensure as an LLP.
Visit the Colorado Supreme Court website to learn more about how to apply for the new paraprofessional license and get detailed information on education and work requirements.
What Services Can Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals Provide?
Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals in Colorado are authorized to provide a limited suite of legal services.
They can take on clients seeking support with non-complex legal matters related to family law, landlord-tenant law, and other areas as outlined by the Supreme Court.
The following are examples of family law scenarios where LLPs are now authorized to provide direct support.
- Family Law
- Landlord Tenant Law
- Legal Separations
- Declarations of Invalidity of Marriage
- Dissolution of Marriage
- Civil Unions
- Orders of Protection
- Name Changes
- Adult Gender Designation Changes
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