Language Access Rights in Aurora and Denver Colorado: Your Complete Legal Guide to Interpretation Services
- regisarzu
- Aug 25
- 8 min read
Your Fundamental Right to Language Access in Colorado
If you or someone you know struggles with English in Aurora, Denver, or anywhere in Colorado, you have powerful legal rights that many people don't know about. These aren't privileges or courtesies—they're federal and state-mandated rights that institutions must provide by law.
Every year, thousands of Colorado residents go without critical services, sign documents they don't understand, or receive inadequate medical care simply because they don't know their language rights. This comprehensive guide will change that.
Federal Laws Protecting Your Language Rights
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VI is your strongest protection for language access. This federal law states that no person shall "on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
What this means for you:
- Any organization receiving federal funding MUST provide language assistance
- This includes most hospitals, courts, schools, and government agencies in Aurora and Denver
- Services must be free of charge
- You cannot be denied services due to language barriers
Organizations covered in Colorado:
- All Denver Health locations
- UCHealth facilities including University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora
- Aurora Public Schools and Denver Public Schools
- Colorado Department of Human Services
- Denver Human Services
- All federally funded clinics and health centers
Executive Order 13166: Improving Access for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Persons
Signed in 2000, this executive order requires all federal agencies and federally funded programs to provide meaningful access to LEP individuals. In Aurora, where 28.7% of residents are Hispanic and many speak primarily Spanish, this order has significant impact.
Your rights under Executive Order 13166:
- Oral interpretation must be provided for critical services
- Vital documents must be translated
- No family members or children should be used as interpreters
- Quality of interpretation must be ensured
Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act
This provision specifically addresses healthcare discrimination, combining protections from multiple civil rights laws. Every hospital and health clinic in Denver and Aurora that accepts Medicare or Medicaid must comply.
Healthcare-specific rights:
- Free medical interpretation for all appointments
- Translated discharge instructions and consent forms
- Auxiliary aids for patients with disabilities
- Posted notices about language assistance in multiple languages
Aurora and Denver hospitals required to comply:
- Children's Hospital Colorado (Aurora Campus)
- Rose Medical Center (Denver)
- National Jewish Health (Denver)
- Denver Health Medical Center
- Presbyterian/St. Joseph Hospital (Denver)
- Aurora Medical Center
- Swedish Medical Center (Englewood)
Colorado State Laws Enhancing Language Access
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 24, Article 34, Part 6
Colorado state law goes beyond federal requirements in several areas, particularly for state-funded programs and services.
Additional protections in Colorado.
- State agencies must develop language access plans
- Courts must provide certified interpreters for all case types
- Law enforcement must provide interpretation during critical interactions
- Emergency services cannot delay treatment while securing interpretation
Senate Bill 21-077: Improving Language Access in Colorado
Passed in 2021, this landmark Colorado legislation requires:
- State agencies to translate vital documents into Spanish
- Interpretation services at all critical points of contact
- Regular assessment of language needs in communities
- Complaint procedures for language access violations
Agencies affected in Aurora and Denver:
- Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles
- Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
- Colorado Benefits Management System
- Aurora Municipal Court
- Denver County Court
Your Rights in Specific Settings
Healthcare Settings in Aurora and Denver
You have the right to:
- Professional medical interpretation at no cost
- Refuse family members as interpreters (especially children)
- Request interpreter for all appointments, including telehealth
- Receive translated medication instructions
- Understand all consent forms before signing
- File complaints if interpretation isn't provided
How to request at major Aurora/Denver hospitals:
- **UCHealth Aurora:** State "I need an interpreter" at registration
- **Denver Health:** Request through MyChart or at check-in
- **Children's Hospital Aurora:** Available 24/7, request at admission
- **Rose Medical Center:** Ask at patient registration or call ahead
Red flags that your rights are being violated:
- Being asked to bring your own interpreter
- Staff using Google Translate for medical information
- Being charged for interpretation services
- Significant delays while waiting for interpretation
- Pressure to use family members as interpreters
Legal and Court Settings
Colorado court interpretation rights:
- Certified court interpreters for all proceedings
- Free interpretation for criminal and civil cases
- Right to review translated documents
- Interpretation for attorney meetings
- Access to interpreted victim services
Aurora Municipal Court** (15151 E Alameda Pkwy):
- Spanish interpreters available daily
- Other languages with 48-hour notice
- Contact: (303) 739-7280
Denver County Court (1437 Bannock St):
- Full-time Spanish interpreters on staff
- 60+ languages available
- Request through your attorney or court clerk
Educational Settings
Rights for parents and students:
- School enrollment without English proficiency
- Translated report cards and IEP documents
- Interpretation for parent-teacher conferences
- Bilingual education programs where appropriate
- Translated disciplinary notices
Aurora Public Schools Language Services:
- Serves families speaking 130+ languages
- Interpretation hotline: (303) 340-0863
- Translation of essential documents in top 8 languages
**Denver Public Schools ELA Department:**
- 200+ interpreters and translators
- Family Hotline: (720) 423-2040
- Documents available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, Russian, Amharic
Government Services and Benefits
**Your rights at government offices:**
- Benefits applications in your language
- Interpreted appointments for SNAP, Medicaid, WIC
- Translated notices about benefits changes
- Language assistance for housing programs
- Interpretation for unemployment claims
**Key locations in Aurora and Denver:**
**Aurora Economic Opportunity Center** (1001 N Salem St):
- Spanish interpretation available daily
- Other languages by appointment
- Walk-ins welcome with interpretation needs
**Denver Human Services** (1200 Federal Blvd):
- On-site interpreters for Spanish
- Phone interpretation for 200+ languages
- Video remote interpretation available
How to Advocate for Your Language Rights
Step 1: Know What to Say
In English:
- "I need an interpreter"
- "I have the right to free interpretation"
- "Please provide a professional interpreter"
- "I prefer to wait for an interpreter"
**In Spanish:**
- "Necesito un intérprete"
- "Tengo derecho a interpretación gratuita"
- "Por favor proporcione un intérprete profesional"
- "Prefiero esperar por un intérprete"
### Step 2: Document Everything
Keep records of:
- Date, time, and location of denied services
- Names of staff who refused interpretation
- Any costs you were asked to pay
- Consequences of language barriers (missed appointments, wrong medication, etc.)
- Photos of signs or documents only in English
### Step 3: File Complaints
**Healthcare Discrimination:**
- HHS Office for Civil Rights: 1-800-368-1019
- Online: hhs.gov/ocr/complaints
- Colorado Civil Rights Division: (303) 894-2997
**Court/Legal Issues:**
- Colorado Judicial Branch: (720) 625-5000
- Colorado Access to Justice Commission
- Email: atjc@coloradosupremecourt.us
**General Discrimination:**
- U.S. Department of Justice: 1-800-514-0301
- Colorado Attorney General: (720) 508-6000
- ACLU of Colorado: (303) 777-5482
## Warning Signs Your Rights Are Being Violated
**Immediate red flags:**
- "We don't have interpreters available"
- "Can you bring someone to translate?"
- "Your child can interpret for you"
- "Interpretation costs extra"
- "We only provide Spanish interpretation"
- "You'll have to reschedule when an interpreter is available"
- Using cleaning staff or security as interpreters
- Rushing through appointments without proper interpretation
## Free Resources for Language Access in Aurora and Denver
### Legal Aid Organizations
**Colorado Legal Services**
- Free legal help for low-income residents
- Interpretation available
- Aurora Office: (303) 837-1313
- Denver Office: (303) 837-1313
**Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network**
- Specializes in immigration and language rights
- Westminster Office: (303) 433-2812
- Free consultations available
### Community Organizations
**Centro San Juan Diego** (Denver)
- Language access advocacy
- Know Your Rights workshops
- (303) 295-9470
**Asian Pacific Development Center** (Aurora)
- Serves 30+ Asian languages
- Language access support
- (303) 923-2920
**African Community Center** (Aurora)
- Interpretation for African languages
- Benefits navigation with interpretation
- (303) 399-4500
### Emergency Language Resources
**When you need immediate help:**
**2-1-1 Colorado**
- Dial 2-1-1
- Free, confidential, multilingual
- 24/7 availability
- Connection to local services
**Colorado Crisis Services**
- 1-844-493-8255
- Spanish and other languages available
- Mental health interpretation
- Text "TALK" to 38255
## Practical Tips for Aurora and Denver Residents
### Before Your Appointment
1. **Call ahead** to confirm interpretation services
2. **Get confirmation** in writing or email
3. **Arrive early** to allow time for interpreter setup
4. **Bring this guide** to show your rights
5. **Have backup plan**: Download CoVoice app for emergency interpretation
### During Your Appointment
1. **Speak directly** to the provider, not the interpreter
2. **Ask for clarification** if anything is unclear
3. **Request written translations** of important information
4. **Don't sign** anything you don't understand
5. **Take notes** or record (with permission)
### After Your Appointment
1. **Review** all documents before leaving
2. **Get copies** of everything you signed
3. **Follow up** if promised translations haven't arrived
4. **Report** any violations immediately
5. **Share** your experience to help others
## Know the Difference: Translation vs. Interpretation
Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they're different services with different rights attached:
**Interpretation** (Spoken/Signed):
- Real-time communication
- Medical appointments, court hearings
- Phone calls, meetings
- Must be provided immediately for urgent needs
**Translation** (Written):
- Documents, forms, signs
- Vital documents must be translated
- Includes prescriptions, consent forms, legal notices
- May take time but must be provided
## Your Rights Are Non-Negotiable
Remember: Language access is not a courtesy—it's your civil right protected by federal law. In Aurora and Denver, with growing immigrant and refugee populations, these protections are more important than ever.
No one should:
- Receive inadequate medical care due to language barriers
- Sign legal documents they don't understand
- Miss out on benefits they're entitled to
- Face discrimination for needing interpretation
## Take Action Today
**Immediate steps you can take:**
1. **Save this guide** for future reference
2. **Share** with family and community members
3. **Download CoVoice** for backup interpretation support
4. **Report violations** to protect others
5. **Know your rights** and stand firm
## Need Immediate Interpretation Support?
While you're advocating for your rights at institutions, having backup interpretation support is crucial. CoVoice provides instant access to professional interpreters via mobile app—perfect for unexpected situations where your rights aren't being respected.
**Available for:**
- Medical emergencies when hospitals delay
- Legal consultations while waiting for court interpreters
- Government office visits
- Any situation where you need immediate language support
Download CoVoice: Available on iOS and Android
Starting at just $0.45/minute for professional interpretation
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## Contact Information for Language Rights Violations
**Federal Agencies:**
- HHS Office for Civil Rights: 1-800-368-1019
- Department of Justice: 1-800-514-0301
- Department of Education: 1-800-872-5327
**Colorado State Resources:**
- Colorado Civil Rights Division: (303) 894-2997
- Colorado Attorney General: (720) 508-6000
- Colorado Legal Services: (303) 837-1313
**Local Aurora Resources:
- Aurora Office of International & Immigrant Affairs: (303) 739-7521
- Aurora Public Schools ELA: (303) 340-0863
**Local Denver Resources:
- Denver Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs: (720) 913-8000
- Denver Health Patient Advocate: (303) 602-8200
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This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal situations, consult with a qualified attorney. Last updated: 2025
Remember: You have the right to understand and be understood. Never let language be a barrier to the services you deserve.
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