The Eviction Legal Defense Fund (ELDF) Grant Program, administered by the Office of the State Court Administrator within the Colorado Judicial Branch, is a reimbursement-based grant initiative aimed at expanding access to civil legal assistance for low-income Colorado tenants facing eviction. The program was established by the Colorado General Assembly in 2019 (C.R.S. § 13-40-127) and funds are awarded annually through a geographically proportional, needs-based formula that considers eviction filing rates in each county.

The FY2025–2026 grant cycle will distribute approximately $1.1 million statewide, with allocations determined by the number of forcible entry and detainer filings and the volume of clients served in each area. The application window runs from April 2, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. through April 30, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Applications must be submitted via the AmpliFund Grant Management portal.

Eligible organizations must:

Be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in Colorado.

Have demonstrated expertise in delivering full-service civil legal services to indigent tenants.

Derive at least 20% of their funding from sources other than the ELDF.

Preferably offer services at no cost, rather than reduced rates, to low-income clients.

Eligible grant uses include:

Direct legal representation in eviction-related civil cases, including pre-filing services and damages related to lease violations or rent nonpayment.

Tenant education clinics on landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities.

Legal advice and information.

Referrals for housing-related assistance.

Mediation services between landlords and tenants.

Certain indirect costs (subject to specific restrictions in the ELDF Grant Rules).

Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend a technical assistance session on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 10 a.m., accessible via Webex.

Grant funds are disbursed on a cost-reimbursement basis and grantees must comply with annual reporting requirements, including detailed financial and programmatic data. Resources such as the ELDF Grant Rules, summary budget templates, reporting templates, and AmpliFund training guides are available via the Judicial Branch’s website.

For questions, applicants may contact the Grants Specialist at:

Email: EvictionLegalDefenseFund@judicial.state.co.us

Phone: 720-625-5841

Address: 1300 Broadway, Suite 1200, Denver, CO 80203