Nonprofit · EIN 84-0402702
COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES
Tax-exempt · DENVER, CO 80202
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $25,311,011 | $27,718,851 | -$2,407,840 | $20,127,534 | $8,130,738 | $11,996,796 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $24,965,965 | $25,059,712 | -$93,747 | $18,939,963 | $4,481,158 | $14,458,805 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $20,978,129 | $19,771,558 | $1,206,571 | $19,234,079 | $4,681,527 | $14,552,552 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $24,596,011
- of which government grants
- $9,798,153
- Program service revenue
- $4,544
- Investment income
- $696,582
- Other revenue
- $13,874
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $39,236
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $693,747
- Other salaries and wages
- $17,545,257
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $24,061,115
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $127,121
- Accounting fees
- $73,438
- Occupancy
- $1,725,530
- Travel
- $208,501
- Depreciation
- $33,060
- Program services (functional)
- $25,114,312
- Management and general (functional)
- $2,228,692
- Fundraising (functional)
- $375,847
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $18,939,963
- Total assets, end of year
- $20,127,534
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $8,130,738
- Net assets, end of year
- $11,996,796
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $7,363,779
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $4,633,017
- Gross receipts
- $25,311,011
- Employees
- 198
- Volunteers
- 270
- Year formed
- 1925
- State of legal domicile
- CO
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATTHEW BACA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $173,997 | $13,645 |
| KARIN M TROENDLE | DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY NORTH Highest-paid employee | 40 | $148,551 | $30,183 |
| GAIL RODOSEVICH | DIRECTOR OF PRO BONO SERVICES Highest-paid employee | 40 | $125,448 | $34,748 |
| JOEL MINOR | DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY Officer | 40 | $140,286 | $14,259 |
| SILVIA ZELAYA | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND CONTROLLER Officer | 40 | $139,673 | $10,810 |
| MOLLY RYAN | DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Officer | 40 | $135,226 | $14,027 |
| ARASH JAHANIAN | DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY DENVER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $131,445 | $14,068 |
| CYNTHIA CHAN | ASSISTANT SUPERVISING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $125,083 | $13,047 |
| MAUREEN FARRELL-STEVENSON | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $127,035 | $8,252 |
| TINA SMITH | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN P FREY | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KYMBERLY MERRICK | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KENZO KAWANABE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE CASTLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MELISSA L DECKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
18 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEROME DEHERRERA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KARLA GOMEZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| AMBER GONZALES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PAULA GREISEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| PATRICIA HALL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| FRANZ HARDY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| NANCY HIJAR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JEFFREY JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| HENRY KROLL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KIRSTEN KURATH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOI KUSH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY LORD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BETTY MARROQUIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MEREDITH MUNRO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| NICOLE PONZAR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MESHACH RHOADES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| HELEN STARR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| KARA VEITCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 38 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SARAH LIPKA | DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY SOUTH Highest-paid employee | 40 | $142,127 | $47,681 |
| MATTHEW BACA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $176,592 | $1,519 |
| MOLLY RYAN | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Officer | 40 | $151,325 | $23,199 |
| KARIN M TROENDLE | DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY NORTH Highest-paid employee | 40 | $127,106 | $18,681 |
| DANIELLA CORREA-SHIVELY | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $128,647 | $15,536 |
| JOEL MINOR | DEPUTY DIR. OF ADVOCACY Officer | 40 | $122,746 | $17,704 |
| MAUREEN FARRELL-STEVENSON | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $128,397 | $2,493 |
| CLAIRE DICKSON | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $128,397 | $1,131 |
| EDGAR MCCULLOUGH | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE (THRU OF 7/24) Officer | 40 | $92,361 | $9,130 |
| SILVIA ZELAYA | DR OF FINANCE (AS OF 6/24) Officer | 40 | $82,493 | $10,694 |
| MAUREEN TERJAK | DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY (THRU OF 3/24) Officer | 40 | $64,216 | $4,836 |
| TINA SMITH | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN P FREY | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KENZO KAWANABE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KYMBERLY MERRICK | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE ADAMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE CASTLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MELISSA DECKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEROME DEHERRERA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KARLA GOMEZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| AMBER GONZALES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAULA GREISEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICIA HALL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FRANZ HARDY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NANCY HIJAR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFFREY JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HENRY KROLL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIRSTEN KURATH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOI KUSH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY LORD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BETTY MARROQUIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MEREDITH MUNRO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MESHACH RHOADES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HELEN STARR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIELLE SURVINE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KARA VEITCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIEL VIGIL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RACHEL WALLACE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 37 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAUREEN TERJAK | DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY Officer | 40 | $135,243 | $15,759 |
| MOLLY RYAN | DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION Officer | 40 | $127,088 | $19,959 |
| BRETT LANDIS | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $115,624 | $15,693 |
| KATHYRN HALL | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $115,624 | $15,693 |
| LINDSAY MARSHALL | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $115,624 | $15,693 |
| EDGAR MCCULLOUGH | DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Officer | 40 | $110,016 | $15,664 |
| JOSE VASQUEZ | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $115,624 | $1,128 |
| CLAIRE DICKSON | MANAGING ATTORNEY Highest-paid employee | 40 | $115,624 | $570 |
| MATTHEW BACA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $114,767 | $693 |
| JONATHAN ASHER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (THRU 3/23) Officer | 40 | $76,849 | $16,174 |
| TINA SMITH | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN FREY | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KENZO KAWANABE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KYMBERLY MERRICK | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHELLE ADAMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE CASTLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MELISSA DECKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEROME DEHERRERA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LARRY GADDIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KARLA GOMEZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PAULA GREISEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PATRICIA HALL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FRANZ HARDY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NANCY HIJAR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JEFFREY JOHNSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HENRY KROLL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIRSTEN KURATH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIMBERLY LORD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BETTY MARROQUIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHIRLEY ANN MEEKINS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MEREDITH MUNRO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MESHACH RHOADES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ALAN STINE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIELLE SURVINE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KARA VEITCH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIEL VIGIL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RACHEL WALLACE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 1560 BROADWAY STE 1100, DENVER, CO 80202-5150
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- MATTHEW R BACA, 1560 BROADWAY 1100, DENVER, CO 80202
- Signed the 990
- MATTHEW R BACA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (303) 837-1313
- Return prepared by
- CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP
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.
Program accomplishments
- 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 2025, CLS CLOSED 8,424 CASES IN WHICH LEGAL ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED TO CLIENT. THOSE HOUSEHOLDS INCLUDED 10,178 ADULTS, AND 6,292 CHILDREN. IN ADDITION, CLS HELD 308 LEGAL EDUCATION/INFORMATION EVENTS FOR OUR CLIENT COMMUNITIES. CLS ALSO HELD 159 OUTREACH EVENTS TO PARTNER AGENCIES AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.Expenses $25,114,312 · grants $39,236 · revenue $18,418
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 84-0402702
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2000
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Crime and legal-related (I80)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $20,127,534
- Income (IRS master file)
- $25,311,011
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $25,311,011 | $27,718,851 | $20,127,534 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $24,965,965 | $25,059,712 | $18,939,963 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $20,978,129 | $19,771,558 | $19,234,079 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $17,161,248 | $17,386,469 | $18,455,140 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 84-0402702).
Questions about COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES
- What is the EIN of COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES is 84-0402702.
- Is COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2000.
- Are donations to COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names MATTHEW R BACA.
- Who are the officers and directors of COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 33 people; 9 received compensation from the organization, the highest $173,997 (MATTHEW BACA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does COLORADO LEGAL SERVICES have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $25,311,011, expenses of $27,718,851 and total assets of $20,127,534 at year end.
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All nonprofits in DENVER · Colorado · Crime and legal-related