Programs
Rural Justice Internships
The Rural Justice Internships are designed to expose law students to legal practice in a rural Colorado community.
The Rural Justice Internships Year 1 provide students with an immersive opportunity to grow in their legal skills while living and working in a rural Colorado community.
Students take part in a combined judicial and private practice/public interest based internship in one of six sites across Colorado. Interns are placed in communities in pairs. In addition to the unique blend of time working in the courts and working with a community partner, interns also have Fridays off, to explore their community and the natural beauty of the surrounding areas!
Year 2 is an advanced program for students who have completed Year 1. The second year equips students with the practical skills and networks to help them launch their careers in rural Colorado. In 2026 we will be piloting Year 2 and plan to have it fully available in 2027.
To apply
Why Rural Colorado?
The first reason is the need. You can have an outsized impact on a community by living and working in a rural legal desert. 60% of Colorado counties are effectively legal deserts and another 15-20% are on the verge of becoming legal deserts. That means across most of the state there are few or no attorneys to help people find legal solutions to common but life-altering legal problems. Past interns have said they felt like rock stars in their communities during their internships because their presence was so universally appreciated.
The second reason is the opportunity. As a law student, you can build relationships with judges and other community leaders that would not normally be possible in larger communities. And life happens at a different pace in rural communities. In rural Colorado, it can be much easier to find a work-life balance that is more difficult to achieve in busier metro areas.
Program Details - Year 1
Internship Dates: June 1st – July 24th (8 weeks)
Interviews begin in early January and positions will be filled on a rolling basis. Applications will be accepted until February 13th, 2026
Stipends: Interns receive $5000 to help cover the cost of housing, transportation, and living expenses
If you have any questions, email Jason Roberts at jroberts@coloradoaccesstojustice.org
Sites
When you apply to the Rural Justice Internships you apply to the program as a whole, not a specific site. Students who are offered positions in the program get to choose their site on a first come first serve basis, once they accept the offer. Each site brings unique opportunities to discover different parts of the state. In 2026 our sites are:
Alamosa
Cortez
Pueblo
Central Mountains
Northern CO
Southeastern CO
Other Information
Rural communities are often spread over a large geographical area. Our sites require interns to have reliable transportation to move between courthouses and around the judicial district. A car in good working order is required for this internship.
Housing costs vary from site to site. We will help interns find housing in each placement. Interns are assigned to placements in pairs. In most circumstances, housing is more affordable if interns choose to share housing with the other intern assigned to the same site (not a requirement, just something to be aware of).