Colorado Courts Self-Help Center and Sherlock Resources

What Sherlocks Do (and What They Cannot)

Every judicial district in Colorado staffs Self-Represented Litigant Coordinators — commonly called "Sherlocks" — under Chief Justice Directive 13-01. Their job is to help people who are navigating the court system without a lawyer, and they are one of the best free resources available to small claims filers.

Sherlocks can help you:

• Identify which forms you need to file (JDF 250 for claims, JDF 205 for fee waivers, JDF 254 for subpoenas)
• Understand the filing process and where to submit your paperwork
• Explain courtroom procedures, timelines, and what to expect at a hearing
• Point you to free legal aid organizations, community mediation services, and other resources

Sherlocks cannot:

• Give you legal advice or tell you whether you should sue
• Evaluate the strength of your evidence or the merits of your case
• Draft your claim narrative or fill out forms for you
• Recommend a specific course of action in your dispute

The distinction matters. A Sherlock can tell you that Form JDF 250 is the initiating document and that you need to serve the defendant at least 15 days before trial. They cannot tell you that your landlord violated C.R.S. § 38-12-103 and that you should claim treble damages. That crosses into legal advice.

Where to Find Self-Help Centers

Denver County Court has a dedicated Self-Help Center in Room 281 of the City and County Building, 1437 Bannock Street. It handles high daily volumes of self-represented filers and is open Monday through Friday.

Urban combined courts in Adams, Arapahoe, El Paso, Jefferson, and other metro-area counties have Self-Help Center resources. Locations and schedules can vary across the judicial district, so check before visiting.

Rural judicial districts share Sherlocks across multiple courthouses. A single coordinator might serve three or four counties on a rotating schedule, visiting each courthouse on specific days. Call the clerk's office ahead of time to confirm when the Sherlock will be available at your courthouse.

Colorado Legal Services

Colorado Legal Services (CLS) provides free civil legal aid to low-income individuals and seniors through offices in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Grand Junction, and Fort Collins. Their resources concentrate on eviction defense, domestic violence protection, and public benefits — they rarely take on plaintiff-side small claims cases.

However, CLS intake coordinators can screen your situation and refer you to appropriate resources. If your small claims dispute intersects with housing, consumer protection, or elder law issues, they may be able to help more directly.

Bar Association Clinics

Local bar associations across Colorado host periodic "Legal Night" events and pro bono clinics. These typically offer 15-to-20-minute consultations with volunteer attorneys at no charge. You will not get ongoing representation, but a brief session can help you understand whether your claim has merit, how to calculate damages, or how to organize your evidence.

Check with the Denver Bar Association, the Colorado Bar Association, or your local county bar association for upcoming clinic dates.

The Office of Dispute Resolution

The Colorado Judicial Branch's Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR) oversees court-connected mediation services under C.R.S. § 13-22-301. Many small claims courts schedule mediation on or before the trial date. If you reach a settlement during mediation, the agreement is documented on Form JDF 75 and entered as a binding court order.

Some judicial districts offer subsidized or free community mediation programs for small claims disputes, particularly for neighbor disputes, landlord-tenant issues, and consumer complaints. Ask the Sherlock or clerk about mediation options in your district.

Combining Free Resources with a Structured Approach

Free resources cover the basics — forms, procedures, general guidance. What they do not provide is a unified workflow that ties everything together: which form to complete first, how to calculate your claim amount with interest, how to track service deadlines, and how to organize exhibits for trial.

Our Colorado Small Claims Filing Guide fills that gap with step-by-step worksheets, a deadline calendar, and an evidence staging system that builds on the foundation the Self-Help Center provides.

See more Colorado guides →