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Public Defender Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Denver Public Schools

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

Denver, CO

$87K - $106K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org. ** About this job: Ensures practices, policies, and dealings of the District meet legal ...

City of Lakewood, CO

Court Marshal

Lakewood, CO · On-site

$43.02 - $47.80/hr

Delivers paperwork to District Court, and/or Public Defenders' Office. * Enters Municipal Court warrants into court computer; enters restraining orders and area of restriction orders from the ...

Lakewood

Court Marshal

Lakewood, CO · On-site

$43.02 - $47.80/hr

Delivers paperwork to District Court, and/or Public Defenders' Office. * Enters Municipal Court warrants into court computer; enters restraining orders and area of restriction orders from the ...

GovernmentJobs.com

Court Marshal

Denver, CO · On-site

$43.02 - $47.80/hr

Delivers paperwork to District Court, and/or Public Defenders' Office. * Enters Municipal Court warrants into court computer; enters restraining orders and area of restriction orders from the ...

Lakewood

Variable Case Manager PREVAIL

Lakewood, CO

$33.46 - $47.01/hr

PREVAIL is a collaborative program involving local police, prosecutors, public defenders, Lakewood High Schools and social service providers designed to divert individuals engaged in low-level ...

City of Lakewood

Court Marshal

Lakewood, CO · On-site

$43.02 - $47.80/hr

Delivers paperwork to District Court, and/or Public Defenders' Office. * Enters Municipal Court warrants into court computer; enters restraining orders and area of restriction orders from the ...

Xcel Energy

Senior Resource Planning Analyst

Denver, CO

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... defending evaluation processes and recommendations in public and regulatory forums. These solicitations often involve decisions costing in excess of a billion dollars and expenditure of $500,000 to ...

fotf

External Relations Representative TPT

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... in a public prayer Engages in Christian ministry Demonstrates behaviors aligned with FOF core values This role is considered a Spokesperson for Focus on the Family and should represent Focus ...

fotf

External Relations Representative TPT

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... in a public prayer Engages in Christian ministry Demonstrates behaviors aligned with FOF core values This role is considered a Spokesperson for Focus on the Family and should represent Focus ...

Denver

Senior Assistant City Attorney - Litigation

Denver, CO · Hybrid

$134K - $172K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... public service. We seek someone who strives to achieve operational excellence in defending lawsuits. Someone who wants to try cases and is passionate about improving their trial skills will likely ...

Second-61

Service Desk Agent

Florence, CO · On-site

$16/hr

... as Vigilant Defenders. We look forward to meeting you and sharing our mission to love and honor ... S. citizen with the ability to pass a Federal Background Investigation and obtain a Public Trust.

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All JobsPublic Defender JobsPublic Defender Jobs in Colorado

Public Defender information

See Colorado salary details

$29.4K

$113.1K

$194K

How much do public defender jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for public defender in Colorado is $113,073.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,300.00 and $140,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a public defender?

A Public Defender is a lawyer appointed by the court to represent individuals who cannot afford to hire a private attorney in criminal cases. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that all defendants receive fair legal representation, regardless of their financial status. Public Defenders work to protect the rights of their clients, provide legal advice, and represent them in court. They handle a variety of cases, from minor offenses to serious felonies, and are crucial in upholding the justice system's commitment to due process.

How to become a public defender?

Public defenders must be licensed to practice law by their state bar. To work as a public defender, complete your bachelor’s degree, take the LSAT exam, and attend law school to earn a J.D. degree. Focus your studies on criminal defense law, and hone your research skills. During your law school summers take internships in public defender offices. You can also intern in a prosecutor’s office or a public interest firm to gain experience for a career as a public defender. After you complete law school you must pass your state’s bar exam. Most states also require legal professionals to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE). Once you are licensed to practice law in your state, you can apply to public defender offices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public defender?

To thrive as a Public Defender, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and a deep understanding of criminal law and courtroom procedures. Proficiency in legal research databases (like Westlaw or LexisNexis), case management systems, and trial preparation tools is essential. Outstanding communication, empathy, resilience, and negotiation skills are vital for connecting with clients and advocating effectively. These skills ensure that clients receive a robust defense, uphold justice, and navigate the legal system equitably.

What are some common challenges faced by public defenders in their daily work?

Public defenders often manage large caseloads and tight deadlines, which can make it challenging to dedicate ample time to each client. They frequently work with clients who may have limited trust in the legal system or face complex social and personal issues. Collaboration with investigators, social workers, and other attorneys is essential for gathering evidence and building strong defenses. Despite these challenges, public defenders play a crucial role in ensuring fair representation and upholding justice for those who cannot afford private counsel.

What is the difference between Public Defender vs Criminal Defense Attorney?

AspectPublic DefenderCriminal Defense Attorney
CredentialsJurisdiction-specific law degree, bar license, often government employmentLaw degree, bar license, private practice or firm affiliation
Work EnvironmentGovernment offices, courtrooms, public service settingsPrivate law firms, solo practices, or corporate offices
EmployerGovernment agencies or public defender officesPrivate clients or law firms
Common UsageRepresent indigent defendants in criminal casesRepresent clients in criminal cases, including those who can afford private counsel

Public defenders and criminal defense attorneys both handle criminal cases, but public defenders work for government agencies representing indigent clients, while criminal defense attorneys are private practitioners representing paying clients. The roles overlap in legal credentials and courtroom work but differ mainly in employment setting and client base.

More about Public Defender jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Public Defender jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Public Defender jobs in Colorado are:

What are popular job titles related to Public Defender jobs in Colorado?

For Public Defender jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Public Defender jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Public Defender jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Public Defender jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Public Defender job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Public Defender jobs in CO?

For Public Defender jobs in CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Public Defender jobs near you
Infographic showing various Public Defender job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 83% In-person, and 17% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $113,073 per year, or $54.4 per hour.

ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY

Denver Public Schools

Denver, CO

$87K - $106K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted yesterday

Denver Public Schools rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

442nd of 633 rated elementary and secondary schools

Job description

** Applications will be received until July 09, 2026. If the position is not filled by then, we may consider applications submitted after the deadline. Interested applicants must apply online by visiting the Denver Public Schools job board at careers.dpsk12.org. **

 
About this job:
Ensures practices, policies, and dealings of the District meet legal and regulatory requirements to protect the organization from legal action and to defend the District when legal action is taken. Provides counsel to District leaders on assigned areas such as labor and employment, special education, student safety, implementation of the Consent Decree for English Language Learners, and/or operations and business management. Works closely with the Deputy General Counsel or General Counsel in the assigned area. 
 
What DPS Offers You:
  • A Culture that values Equity, Accountability, Integrity, Collaboration and Fun with a shared vision that Every Learner Thrives.
  • Salary Range: $87,203 - $106,806 Annually. Click here for more information on compensation for these roles. 
  • In addition to competitive compensation, DPS has other Total Reward offerings such as; time off, health and wellness benefits, and PERA Retirement. 
What You'll Do:
  • Develops legal strategies and provides legal advice and counsel for client groups and District leaders as needed to assure the District's compliance with applicable rules, policies, procedures, practices, and laws
  • Performs legal research and provides verbal and written analysis that also considers District policies, procedures, and practices 
    Independently drafts or works with other Deputy General Counsel or General Counsel on written work product, including pleadings, briefs, and legal research memoranda
  • Independently drafts or works with other Deputy General Counsel or General Counsel on written work product, including pleadings, briefs, and legal research memoranda
  • Responds to directives from Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel
  • Develops and builds consensus and resolves conflict
  • Represents the District in adversarial meetings, hearings, and court proceedings (e.g. meeting where parent is represented by counsel or advocate, labor and 
    employment arbitrations, and teacher dismissal hearings)
  • Assists in the planning and development of policy, procedures, and processes for the District, assigned client groups, and the legal department in order to optimize efficiency, address areas of legal risk, and address the diverse needs of client groups
  • Develops and conducts trainings for assigned client groups

 
What You'll Need:
  • Minimum of Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited institution
  • 2+ years of relevant experience in labor and employment law, laws governing special education, federal education law, civil rights and constitutional law, student-data privacy laws, transactional and operations experience working with government entities, or other experience with non-profit entities supporting public interest
  • Valid Colorado license to practice law at time of hire
  • Lead for racial and educational excellence and work to dismantle systems of oppression and inequity in our community, along with believing in and supporting all students so they feel seen and heard with access to high quality education. 
  • Live and work with a permanent home address in Colorado while working with us.  
  • Have the ability with or without accommodations to meet the physical demands of the position.
Denver Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender expression, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or any other status protected by law or regulations. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions be based on job-related factors.

 
Students First. Integrity. Equity. Collaboration. Accountability. Fun
Denver Public Schools is committed to meeting the educational needs of every student with great schools in every neighborhood. Our goal is to provide every child in Denver with rigorous, enriching educational opportunities from preschool through high school graduation.  DPS is comprised of nearly 200 schools including traditional, magnet, charter and alternative pathways schools, with an enrollment of more than 90,000 students.  
DPS has become the fastest-growing school district in the country in terms of enrollment and the fastest-growing large school district in the state in terms of student academic growth.  Learn more at dpsk12.org.

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