In This Section
CML Members' Guide to Legal Services
CML has a long-standing commitment to supporting its members when legal concerns and questions arise in the course of conducting the city or town’s business. CML provides ongoing legal information including providing education programs and conferences for attorneys, officials, and staff, consulting with CML members to provide information and resources, and preparing amicus or “friend of the court” briefs in court cases with significant municipal impact.
Every municipality is required by law to have an attorney and Colorado's municipal attorneys are among the best in the country. Neither CML nor CML attorneys are the attorney for any member or any individual municipal official or employee. In all matters in which CML or CML's attorneys is requested to consult, it must be understood that CML does so for informational purposes only and not as an attorney for a member or its officials or staff. All information and resources are provided in deference to the member’s town or city attorney who has ultimate responsibility for assuring that his or her client’s legal matters are properly and professionally addressed.
CML is committed to abiding by all applicable rules and regulations regarding the provision of legal services. CML is further committed to providing services in a manner that is fair to all of its members. CML cannot advise one member against the interests of another, or one town or city official against the interests of another town or city official. With these guiding principles in place, what follows in an overview of CML’s member services.
Overview of CML's Legal Education, Training, and Advocacy
The following is an overview of the legal service programs that CML offers to its members, and the Terms, Conditions, and Disclaimers of Use under which they are provided.
CML offers a variety of opportunities for its members to participate in legal education. These programs include continuing legal education (CLE) programs conducted by CML staff and volunteer legal experts at CML’s fall attorney conference, the CML annual summer conference, webinars, and additional workshops and trainings offered throughout the year. Although some trainings may be open to non-attorneys, CML develops presentations to meet the requirements for CLE accreditation. The presentations educate and inform CML members of specific legal topics of ongoing concern to Colorado municipalities and their officials. Information concerning these various legal education programs can be found on CML’s website or by calling CML.
CML supports an attorney email “listserv” which attorneys that serve municipal clients may join for the purpose of sharing and obtaining information from their peers regarding a wide variety of legal issues and resources. CML’s attorney listserv is open to municipal attorneys only. In participating in the listserv, there are a number of conditions that participants are expected to follow. These conditions are posted on the CML website.
CML welcomes telephone and email requests from members for general informational purposes that CML may be able to provide in regard to questions that members, both attorney and non-attorney, may have in the course of performing their services and duties. ***See the important disclaimer below; inquiries to CML do not create an attorney-client relationship and are not confidential.*** However, members should keep in mind that CML staff availability to respond to telephone and email requests may be limited or delayed.
Advocacy in state and federal courts on behalf of Colorado municipalities as an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) is one of the most important legal services CML provides to its members. CML maintains an Amicus Committee responsible for reviewing and providing a recommendation on requests for amicus support. Members are encouraged to make amicus request as early as possible in any litigation in which CML’s amicus presence may be considered potentially helpful. Late requests are less likely to be approved. To learn more about the amicus process or how to submit a request, read League Amicus Participation: Process and Considerations (updated May 2019).
Important - Disclaimer: The information and resources provided on this website and by CML staff are provided for informational purposes only. CML and its attorneys are not the attorney for any municipality or any of its officials or employees. The operation of this site, the provision of resources, or the verbal communication of information by CML staff (including its attorneys) does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and CML or CML's attorneys. No person or entity should expect that communications with CML or its staff are confidential or privileged. No person or entity should act or act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included in this site or provided by CML staff without seeking legal or other professional advice. CML disclaims all liability for actions you take or fail to take based on any content on this site or information or resources provided by CML staff.
Legal Inquiries
Are you a CML member and have a question for CML's legal team?
(Member login required.)
***See the important disclaimer below; inquiries to CML do not create an attorney-client relationship and are not confidential.***