About

The ACLU of Colorado is the state’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. We’re a private institution funded exclusively by the generous donations of our supporters. Our mission is to protect, defend and extend the civil rights and civil liberties of all people in Colorado through litigation, education and advocacy. Here’s how our staff fights for your rights, and the rights of all Coloradans, in each of these three areas:

Our legal department investigates requests for legal assistance, writes demand letters to government agencies, files amicus briefs in line with our issue areas, and files lawsuits on behalf of clients whose rights have been violated. The legal department receives approximately 2,000 requests for assistance each year and litigates a select number of cases with the support of volunteer cooperating attorneys and other nonprofit organizations. Learn more about our legal work, including our docket of recent cases.

At the state capitol and at city council meetings across Colorado, the ACLU advocates for rational laws that protect people’s rights and liberties. And after each session, we develop Legislative Scorecards so you can see how your elected officials voted on civil liberties. Keep up with all of our public policy work.

The ACLU engages and informs Coloradans through public forums on current civil liberties issues, “Know Your Rights” trainings, rallies and media events. We also work with students and young professionals who are interested in civil liberties. Get to know your rights through our public education offerings.

ACLU of Colorado staff are proudly organized as ACLU of Colorado Workers United, represented by the Denver Newspaper Guild CWA Local 37074. Since 2023, the ACLU of Colorado and ACLU of Colorado Workers United have collaborated to ensure a supportive, fair, and safe working environment. ACLU of Colorado staff and management ratified a collective bargaining agreement in 2026, bolstering staff rights, fair benefits and compensation, and other workplace matters to support the organization’s mission.

Unions play a vital role in our society, serving as safeguards for civil rights and civil liberties. The ACLU of Colorado continues to champion the rights of workers to organize unions and bargain collectively. ACLU National and dozens of other ACLU affiliates have unionized staff.