Paralegal

Department Information

Colorado’s Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) maintains a reputation as one of the top organizations in the nation specializing in the delivery of indigent criminal defense. We operate as an independent agency within the Judicial Branch of Colorado State Government with 1,000 dedicated employees assigned to twenty-one Regional Trial Offices, a centralized Appellate Division, and a centralized Administrative Office.

The mission of OSPD is to defend and protect the rights, liberties and dignity of those accused of crimes who cannot afford to retain counsel. We do so by providing constitutionally and statutorily mandated representation that is effective, zealous, inspired and compassionate.

We seek to hire professionals who are dedicated to furthering our mission and demonstrate compassion in their service to our clients. We are a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment, where self‑motivation and a personal commitment to high performance are important attributes for success.

Please e‑mail your résumé and cover letter outlining your interest in this position and how you meet the qualifications to Annie Ulshoffer (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).

The deadline for applying is 11:59 p.m. on January 15, 2026. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we cannot personally respond to each submission. We will notify you by phone and/or e‑mail if you are selected for an interview.

Resumes must include dates of employment but you may redact or remove any information that will identify your age, date of birth or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

• 6 Health Plans—Cigna & Kaiser options
• Basic Vision Insurance—included with medical plans
• Dental Insurance
• State‑Paid Life Insurance
• State‑Paid Short‑Term Disability
• FSA—Healthcare and Dependent Care
• HSA Plan with Employer Contribution
• Generous Paid Time Off
• 11 paid holidays
• Access to Mental Health and Well‑Being Resources
• Colorado PERA
• 401(k) and 457 Supplemental Retirement Plans

For more information on benefits please visit  For additional information on PERA visit .

Additional information about the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender can be found at: http://.

We are recruiting to fill one Paralegal position for our Golden location. This is the first level within the paralegal series wherein employees learn and apply criminal procedures, rules and laws guiding legal practice in criminal defense; and, apply the principles and practices of a paralegal nature to support and assist with a variety of litigation needs. Positions perform duties and assume responsibility for supporting divisions, units, and clients under the specific direction, instruction and guidance of a defense attorney.

Public Defender paralegals serve as part of the defense team, and as such, are bound by the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct including rules regarding the attorney‑client privilege and client confidentiality.

• Manages and organizes discovery. Converts electronic files to PDF and other formats. Builds trial notebooks, creates digital bookmarks and indexes for easy reference and access by the attorneys and defense team. Creates spreadsheets to manage and organize case records and information including, but not limited to, discovery, witnesses, evidence and exhibits.
• Reviews and summarizes discovery, videos, and witness interviews. Identifies matters of significance and brings to the attention of the defense team. Reviews discovery with the client. Requests and reviews client records, court records and transcripts to complete case files.
• Reviews client charges, pleadings, and court orders and researches legal issues as requested by the attorney such as, searching and reviewing statutes, case law, and legal articles for legal precedent, mitigation and sentencing considerations. May assist attorneys in identifying potential conflicts of interest.
• Searches case‑related information as requested by the attorney such as,…