ACLU of Colorado Legal Director Honored for Dedication to Colorado Children and Underprivileged Communities

DENVER — On September 24, 2026, the Colorado Lawyers Committee (CLC) honored ACLU of Colorado legal director, Tim Macdonald, with the Outstanding Sustained Contribution Award at its 2026 Awards Luncheon. This award is presented each year to an individual who makes an important difference in the lives of children and underprivileged communities through their work with the CLC.

Macdonald has volunteered with the CLC for more than 25 years. In that time serving the organization, the CLC recognizes that he has profoundly advanced its mission and transformed the lives of Colorado children, families, and underserved communities.

“Tim’s impact on the Colorado Lawyers Committee is immeasurable. He exemplifies the very best of our profession,” said Kristin Bronson, Executive Director of the CLC. “His extraordinary commitment to justice has inspired colleagues, strengthened our organization, and expanded access to legal services for thousands of people over more than 25 years of service.”

Macdonald’s volunteer work with the CLC has led to the creation of services that have positively impacted Colorado communities in need. He was the visionary behind the CLC’s Project Homeless Connect, which launched in 2005 and mobilized hundreds of attorneys to volunteer their time to provide legal guidance, referrals, and representation to people experiencing homelessness. He also founded Denver Legal Night, a monthly legal clinic created to ensure that people who could not afford an attorney still had access to trusted legal guidance.

Macdonald finds time to volunteer hundreds of hours to the CLC, while also spending his working hours defending Coloradans’ civil rights protections by leading the ACLU of Colorado legal team.

“Tim’s commitment to protecting and advancing justice is evident in everything he does. He brings extraordinary skill, thoughtfulness, and determination to his work, while never losing sight of the people whose lives are affected by it,” said Sara Neel, ACLU of Colorado Managing Attorney. “This recognition from the Colorado Lawyers Committee is a fitting acknowledgment of the impact he has made over many years, both in our legal community and in the lives of Coloradans.”

"It has been an incredible honor working alongside Tim defending the civil rights of Coloradans. Tim's unwavering dedication to our communities that are most at risk of having their rights threatened, attacked, or rolled back has inspired not only me, but our entire organization," said Olivia Mendoza, ALCU of Colorado Executive Director. "Our affiliate is fortunate to have Tim's experience, integrity, and leadership guiding our litigation. Our fight to protect, defend, and advance Coloradans' civil rights perseveres thanks to Tim's courageous devotion to this critical work."

Macdonald has served as the ACLU of Colorado’s legal director since March of 2023. Before joining the ACLU of Colorado, he was a trial and appellate lawyer at Arnold & Porter for 24 years. In private practice, Macdonald was a committed pro bono cooperating counsel for the ACLU from the beginning of his career and led the trial team in 2022 on behalf of peaceful protestors injured by Denver police during the protests following the murder of George Floyd. He has been recognized as a Top 50/Top 100 Colorado Super Lawyer and Law Week Colorado named him one of the Lawyers of the Year in 2014 and 2021.