The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado (ACLU of Colorado) is a left-of-center advocacy group that litigates and lobbies mostly on issues ostensibly related to civil liberties in Colorado. The group is the Colorado-based affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a large national activism and litigation organization that has become a hub of political activity and litigation within left-of-center politics since its founding in 1920. The ACLU of Colorado was founded in the 1950s and focuses on issues including immigration, criminal justice, racial issues, privacy, speech, and government transparency. It has engaged in litigation against immigration enforcement practices, school district policies, and law enforcement’s use of technology. The group has been funded by left-of-center foundations, including the national American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, the Rose Community Foundation, and the Colorado Health Foundation. ^{1 2 3}

The ACLU of Colorado also operates a foundation arm, the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Colorado, which handles educational and research activities. ⁴

Background

The ACLU of Colorado was incorporated in 1952 as an affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union, and the group states that earlier efforts to coordinate civil liberties defense in the state date back to the 1930s, following the creation of the national ACLU in 1920. The group established its headquarters in Denver and expanded its operations over subsequent decades, adding litigation, lobbying, and public education components. By the early 2020s, the organization reported a combined budget exceeding $4 million and membership of over 40,000. ^{5 6 7}

The ACLU of Colorado has litigated against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies, including challenges to bond denials and warrantless arrests of immigrants. The group has also sued school districts over the removal of school library books and alleged restrictions on employee speech. On criminal justice, the group has investigated municipal court practices and advocated policies to reduce incarceration. The organization has opposed law enforcement’s adoption of artificial intelligence tools and pushed for new policies on the handling of voter data. It has also secured settlements related to prison censorship policies and police surveillance files. ^{8 5}

Funding

ACLU of Colorado has received funding from left-of-center foundations and donors. In 2020, the Colorado Health Foundation provided $130,200 to the group’s foundation entity. The national American Civil Liberties Union Foundation has given funds to the ACLU of Colorado Foundation, including $50,000 in 2024. Other funders have included the Denver Foundation and the Jared Polis Foundation Gift Fund. In 2020, the Denver Broncos football team provided a $40,000 grant as part of a player-designated program. ^{3 9}

People

As of 2023, Deborah Richardson was serving as the executive director of ACLU of Colorado, a position she had held since 2021. She previously worked at the national ACLU. In fiscal year 2023, Richardson received $160,187 in compensation from the ACLU Foundation of Colorado and $86,254 from the ACLU of Colorado. ¹⁰

Advocacy Activities

ACLU of Colorado has lobbied the Colorado government on issues including criminal justice and privacy protections. In fiscal year 2015-2016, the group reported $157,135 in lobbying expenses. The organization has supported legislation on alternatives to policing and opposed Republican-backed measures on election administration. It had not reported direct political contributions to candidates or committees in federal or state records as of 2026. ^{11 11 12 6}

ACLU of Colorado defended the right of white supremacist groups to obtain protest permits in the aftermath of the 2017 Charlottesville protests, consistent with the ACLU’s history of defending the speech of controversial groups. The group settled a lawsuit in 2004 challenging Colorado prison censorship policies that restricted access to books and newspapers. In 2023, it sued a school district over the removal of books with LGBT themes, alleging viewpoint discrimination. The organization has also criticized U.S. Supreme Court decisions upholding local ordinances against unhoused individuals. ^{13 14}

Related Organizations

ACLU of Colorado is an affiliate of the national American Civil Liberties Union and its foundation. It has partnered with left-of-center groups including Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, and the Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center. The group’s political action arm coordinates with national ACLU efforts on electoral efforts. ¹⁵

1. “About the ACLU of Colorado.” ACLU of Colorado. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://www.aclu-co.org/about/.
2. “Mission & History.” ACLU of Colorado. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://www.aclu-co.org/about/mission-history/.
3. ACLU of Colorado. Annual Report 2017. 2017. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://www.aclu-co.org/app/uploads/2014/06/Annual-Report-2017.pdf
4. “American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado.” ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/840437750
5. ACLU of Colorado. The Road Ahead: 2023–2026 Strategic Framework. December 2022. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://www.aclu-co.org/app/uploads/2022/12/final_road_ahead.pdf.
6. “ACLU Settles Lawsuit Challenging Censorship Policies in Colorado Prisons.” American Civil Liberties Union. November 30, 2004. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-settles-lawsuit-challenging-censorship-policies-colorado-prisons.
7. “Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction in ACLU Lawsuit Against Elizabeth School District.” ACLU of Colorado. March 19, 2025. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://www.aclu-co.org/news/judge-issues-preliminary-injunction-aclu-lawsuit-against-elizabeth-school-district/.
8. “ACLU and Denver Officials Agree to Resolve Lawsuit over Denver Police Spy Files.” ACLU of Colorado. April 17, 2003. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://www.aclu-co.org/news/aclu-and-denver-officials-agree-resolve-lawsuit-over-denver-police-spy-files/.
9. “Broncos Announce $250,000-Plus Donation to Player-Designated Organizations through Club’s Social Justice Fund.” Denver Broncos. December 31, 2020. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-announce-250-000-plus-donation-to-player-designated-organizations-throug.
10. “American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Colorado Inc.” ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237028224.
11. “American Civil Liberties Union Profile: Summary.” OpenSecrets. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/american-civil-liberties-union/summary?id=D000031473.
12. Sherry, Allison, and Jesse Paul. “ACLU Colorado Is More Powerful Than Ever At The State Capitol — But At What Cost?” Colorado Public Radio. September 30, 2021. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://www.cpr.org/2021/09/30/aclu-colorado-state-capitol-legislation/.
13. Cole, David. “Blog: Defending Speech We Hate.” ACLU of Colorado. June 6, 2021. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://www.aclu-co.org/news/blog-defending-speech-we-hate/.
14. Breunlin, Erica. “ACLU Sues Colorado School District After Former Employee Was Forced to Leave, Banned over ‘Harmless’ Comment.” Colorado Sun. August 3, 2023. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://coloradosun.com/2023/08/03/woodland-park-school-district-aclu-lawsuit/.
15. “Partner Organizations.” ACLU of Colorado. Accessed January 07, 2026. https://www.aclu-co.org/partner-organizations/.