Colorado restricts paid marketing of legal-client leads

People may not pay for, provide, or sell paid leads about possible legal clients or cases in Colorado. A lead is information about a possible legal client or case, including contact details or information about the person's legal issue. The ban covers payments made directly or through another party, including per-lead, per-case, and subscription payments. It does not cover fee-sharing among licensed legal professionals when allowed by state law and Colorado Supreme Court rules. The law applies to conduct on or after its effective date. If the legislature adjourns on May 13, 2026, that date is August 12, 2026, unless a timely referendum petition delays the law.

Certain people and groups may solicit potential clients or market legal services. This applies to people authorized to practice law in Colorado, people working on their behalf who clearly identify them, and nonprofits that provide legal services in the state. People marketing for a lawyer or firm must clearly identify the lawyer, firm, or legal paraprofessional. Clearly identified traditional advertising, including online, broadcast, billboard, and legal-directory ads, is allowed. These rules apply to conduct on or after the law's effective date, subject to any referendum delay.

Affected consumers and legal professionals may sue; prosecutors may bring criminal cases when the conduct is also a crime under Colorado law. An affected consumer, attorney, law firm, or licensed legal paraprofessional may bring a civil action to enforce the section. A court may order the conduct to stop. A claimant found to have been affected by a violation is entitled to $10,000 per violation, plus reasonable attorney fees and costs. A criminal case may be brought only if the conduct constitutes a crime under Colorado law. These enforcement provisions apply to conduct on or after the law's effective date, subject to any referendum delay.