The Office of the Colorado State Public Defender (OSPD) prides itself on hiring client-centered lawyers who are dedicated to fighting for the dignity and legal rights of people who are accused of crimes.

This Office conducts nearly 1,300 jury trials each year. Our lawyers routinely appear in court to litigate their clients’ rights through oral and written advocacy. Strong hiring preference is given to applicants who have participated in a law school clinical program, interned for a public defender program, or practiced as a lawyer in an indigent defense system.

We accept applications for entry-level attorneys graduating from law school and practicing attorneys who have experience advocating for indigent populations. If you are interested in applying please send your cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Blanca Macias.

Office and Case Assignment

The Colorado Public Defender has twenty-one regional trial offices. We are committed to providing quality representation to every client in the state and, therefore, expect that applicants will be prepared to be assigned to any of the offices. While we will prioritize applicant preferences in the initial office assignment, for lawyers that find that they did not get a preferred placement or otherwise want to move locations, transfers to other offices are available after two years of successful performance.

Newly hired attorneys are typically assigned to handle misdemeanor and traffic cases in county court. Caseloads will vary by regional office depending on the size of the office and whether the office covers multiple counties.