State law requires the Office of the County Attorney to primarily represent the interests of the Board of County Commissioners, its various administrative departments, and appointed advisory boards.
Although not required by law to do so, the Office of the County Attorney also represents the interests of other elected or appointed officials when those interests are compatible with those of the County and no other legal representation is available.
State law mandates representation by the Office of the County Attorney in certain social services matters and mental health and commitment proceedings. Since 1986, the Office of the County Attorney has assumed the responsibility for representing the County in all public liability and tort actions as a result of the County being self-insured. Likewise, the Office of the County Attorney represents the County, its departments or other elected officials in a variety of other civil matters.
County Attorney/Social Services
The County Attorney Office's Social Services division provides legal advice, opinions, and representation to El Paso County Social Services in dependency and neglect cases, as well as processing public and attorney requests for access to said agency's files. These services include temporary shelter hearings, adjudicatory trials, dispositional hearings, permanency planning and permanent custody hearings, parental rights termination trials, guardianships, emergency protective hearings and jury trials. The division also provides El Paso County Social Services personnel with on-going training in matters relating to courtroom procedure, presentation of evidence, substantive areas of the Children's Code, and charges in pertinent state and federal law.
Where to Call (for El Paso County, Colorado, residents)
| If you have questions regarding: |
Call: |
Phone Number |
| Child abuse issues
NOTE: Please see below for Social Services. |
County Attorney |
(719) 520-7000 |
- Traffic matters;
- Civil Litigation matters;
- How to find a Public defender; or
- How to contact a Judge
|
Fourth Judicial District Court House |
(719) 448-7700. |
| Legal representation |
- Private attorney of your choice;
- the El Paso County Bar Association for lawyer referral; or,
- if you can't afford an attorney you may wish to contact Pikes Peak Legal Services (Legal Aid)
|
(719) 636-1532
(719) 471-0380 |
- Prosecuting matters,
- Criminal matters,
- Traffic matters,
- Consumer fraud, or
- Economic crime matters
|
District Attorney |
(719) 520-6000 |
| Child support matters |
Child Support Services of Colorado |
(719) 457-6330 |
| Mental health or alcohol commitment procedures |
Mental Health |
(719) 520-6494 | |
| Please contact the Social Services Hot Lines for the following: |
Phone Number |
| Adult welfare (any adult in need of protection) |
(719) 444-5755 |
| Child abuse or out-of-control children |
(719) 444-5700 |
| Emancipation |
(719) 444-5996 | |