Frequently Asked Questions.
What is a revolving bail fund?
As a non-profit revolving bond fund, Colorado Freedom Fund (CFF) pays bond amounts in full directly to the Colorado cage/court for people incarcerated before trial. Once the person’s court case is resolved, the bond is released back to us, and we then use that returned bail money to help the next person.
Who does CFF help?
We post bond for folks of any/all identities and demographic factors. Cages are traumatic for everyone; we know. If your person is facing a particular increased vulnerability (example: pregnancy), please make sure to mention that on your application. We cannot help as many people as we would like, and we cannot help everyone who needs assistance, so we work hard to help as many people as we can.
How long does the application process take?
We make bonding decisions on a case by case basis, and that process takes time. It usually takes at least 2 weeks for CFF to research a person’s circumstances and determine whether or not we may be able to help. Please make sure you include working contact information on your application.
How much will you pay?
Since 2018, we have have paid bonds ranging from $1 to over $50,000 each, but the most common bond amount we post is ~$500. There is no automatic amount we always pay. We take the full circumstances of a person’s situation into account when making individual decisions. We consider all referrals on a case by case basis.
Do we have to pay you back?
No. We pay bonds as gifts, never as loans. We pay the entire amount of the bond, including any bonding fees that the cage charges. We cannot, however, pay other court costs, fines/fees. There has never been any fee for our help, and never will be. How folks can pay us back is by doing their best to take good care of themselves, stay in touch with their lawyers, and resolve their court cases.
Will you help me pay a bondsman?
No. We are not commercial bonds-people, and we do not work with for-profit bail bond companies. We will not help pay any bonds person, and we will not cosign on a bond with a for-profit bail bonds person or other private surety.
Where in Colorado do you post bond?
CFF most often pays bail in the greater Denver/Front Range area, but we also post across the entire state. We have paid bonds for people caged in Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Aurora, Boulder, Clear Creek, Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Larimer, Pueblo, Weld…and beyond. We will consider posting anywhere in Colorado, resources permitting. Keep in mind that bonds must be paid in person (we cannot pay via phone or online—yet), so the wait time for help outside of Denver may be significant.
Do you post immigration bonds?
CFF only posts criminal legal bonds in Colorado. If you need assistance with a federal immigration bond, we encourage you to contact National Bail Fund Network.
Do you help people outside Colorado?
We only post bond in Colorado. There are many other abolitionist bail funds across the country.
Will you post my person’s bond?
Maybe. We will certainly look closely at their situation and do our best. Click here to apply.
How can I work for CFF?
Our team is currently full. We will be hiring in 2024 and will post the job on our hiring page.
How can I donate?
Thank you for supporting us financially. You can donate here.
How can I learn more about abolition?
One of many great resources is TransformHarm.org.
