The Colorado Address Confidentiality Program

In July of 2007, the Colorado legislature passed HB07-1350, creating the Colorado Address Confidentiality program. There are approximately 24 other states with a similar program. This new program must be ready to accept participants by July 1, 2008.

The Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) allows survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to keep their address confidential after they have relocated to escape possible or former abusers.

The program provides participants with a legal substitute address. Participants use the substitute address when creating public records and interacting with government agencies and private businesses. The substitute address becomes the only address of record, and consequently, potential assailants are unable to use those records to locate their victims.

Once the participants begin using the substitute address, their mail is routed to the ACP. The ACP forward the mail to the participant's actual address. The ACP also serves as the participant's agent for service of process and for receipt of mail.

To apply for the program, an applicant must meet with an Applicant Assistant. Application Assistants act as the program gatekeepers, and are the only people who can enroll participants into the program.

Application Assistant Training

In order to have a state-wide network of Application Assistants who will be ready to enroll participants in the program, training will be offered beginning April of 2008. The ACP is working with COVA and other agencies to coordinate trainings across the state. An on-line version of the training will also be available. The ACP hopes to provide an Application Assistant workshop/training at the 2008 COVA Conference.

Completing the training is important because application Assistants must:

• Identify potential participants and assess whether the program will meet their needs;
• Determine whether applicants meet the statutory criteria for enrollment;
• Educate applicants about using the program safely;
• Explain an applicant's rights and responsibilities as a program participant; and,
• Help the applicant complete the enrollment forms and forward the forms to the program.

The training, as well as the Application Assistant designation, is free of charge, good for two years, and will not be revoked if you should change agencies. The ACP recommends Application Assistant training for victim advocate coordinators, volunteer coordinators, victim witness advocates, crisis response advocates, legal advocates, hospital chaplains, social workers, mental health professionals, and anyone who typically provides direct services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking and assists with safety planning.

The ACP does not recommend Application Assistant training for those who do not typically provide direct services or assist with safety planning, because the ACP is intended to supplement a safety plan, and not be used alone. If you are unsure about becoming an application assistant, you may wish to consult your program coordinator or superior officer.

If you would like to schedule a group training or have any further questions about the program, please contact the ACP:

Colorado Address Confidentiality Program
1001 E. 62nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80216
Metro area: 303-869-4911
Toll free: 1-888-341-0002
TTY: 1-800-659-2656
E-mail: acp@sos.state.co.us
Website: http://www.acp.colorado.gov (not active until April 1, 2008)