Frequently Asked Questions

Is COLAP a crisis hotline? Does COLAP offer crisis services?

NO.  If you, or someone you care about, are experiencing a mental health crisis, dial 988 or click here to chat online with Crisis Services.  Dial 911 if this is a life-threatening emergency.  

Can COLAP help me find an attorney?

NO.  If you need an attorney, the Colorado Bar Association’s website is a good place to start your search:  https://www.cobar.org/Licensed-Lawyer.

If I contact COLAP, is it confidential?

YES.  All communications with COLAP are privileged and held in the strictest confidence, whether you’re calling for yourself or someone else. See C.R.C.P. 254.

The only exception is per Colorado state law:  confidentiality is required to be breached if someone expresses serious threat of imminent physical violence against a specific person(s) or place(s), expresses serious threat of harming themselves, or details acts of child or elder abuse or neglect.

Can reaching out to COLAP negatively impact my license or my career?

NO. Due to COLAP’s heightened level of confidentiality, staff and COLAP volunteers are prohibited from reporting misconduct per C.R.C.P.  8.3 (c).

I’m struggling, but it’s not work related. Can COLAP still help me?

YES.  COLAP assists with both personal and professional issues, including but not limited to behavioral health and well-being issues such as stress, relationship issues, concern for family members, substance use or addiction issues, and mental health concerns.  COLAP also supports the legal community with a wide variety of career-related concerns.

I’m fine, but my colleague isn’t doing well. Can I call COLAP for support, and will it be confidential?

YES and YES. We often get calls from colleagues concerned for another member of  the legal profession, and provide free consultations on how to support them.  COLAP’s confidentiality applies to both the caller and the person they are concerned about.  If you contact us, COLAP is prohibited from divulging your information and that you contacted us to anyone, including to the person you are concerned about.  We also cannot divulge any information about the legal professional to you.  

I’m not part of the legal profession, but someone I care about is and they seem to be struggling. Can I reach out to COLAP for support for them, and will it be confidential?

YES and YES. We often get calls from family, friends, or loved ones concerned for a legal professional, and provide free consultations on how to support them.  COLAP’s confidentiality applies to both the caller and the person they are concerned about.  If you contact us, COLAP is prohibited from divulging your information and that you contacted us to anyone, including to the person you are concerned about.  We also cannot divulge any information about the legal professional to you.  

Is COLAP part of the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel, Office of Attorney Admissions, State Court Administrator’s Office, or the Colorado Bar Association? Does COLAP provide information about members of the legal community to these organizations?

NO.  COLAP is an independent organization established under C.R.C.P. 254. We are prohibited from providing information to any person or agency without a written release.  All communications with COLAP are completely confidential, and cannot be used as evidence in any complaint, investigation, or legal proceeding.

I’m a treatment provider. Can I contact COLAP to learn more about your services?

YES.  Educating treatment providers about the unique needs of legal professionals is part of COLAP’s mission.