AI settings for a small law firm in Colorado

Checked against the source documents on October 26, 2026

Colorado's 2026 rule change says leaning on technology doesn't shrink a lawyer's duties. The rules didn't name the settings; somebody at the firm still has to. The settings that answer that are on the main checklist. This page says which ones Colorado points at, and why.

What Colorado has said

Colorado Supreme Court: Rule Change 2026(02), Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct, Preamble and Scope [20A] and Rule 1.1 comments [8] and [9] (technology and artificial., 2026-01-08.

1. Confidentiality. Comment [9] lists Rule 1.6 preservation of confidential information as implicated by AI use; no detail on consent or inputs.
2. Competence. Comment [8] now matches ABA language on benefits and risks of relevant technology; Scope [20A] says technology does not diminish a lawyer's responsibilities and may lead to discipline.
3. Supervision. Comment [9] lists Rules 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 as implicated; no further detail.
4. Fees. Comment [9] lists Rule 1.5 reasonable fees as implicated; no detail.
5. Disclosure. Comment [9] lists Rule 1.4 communication and Rule 3.3 candor; no disclosure mandate.
6. Verification. Comment [9]: reliance on technology does not diminish the duty to exercise independent judgment; Rules 3.1 and 3.3 listed.

One line from it: "Reliance on technology does not diminish the lawyer's duty" (Rule Change 2026(02), Rule 1.1 cmt. [9]).

The settings that answer it

1. Use the business plan, not a personal one. On Claude Pro, Claude Max and ChatGPT Plus, training on chats is each user's own setting. On Claude Team, ChatGPT Business and Microsoft 365 Copilot with a work sign-in, business data is not used for training by default. On the checklist
2. Turn off the training and feedback exceptions an admin can still turn off (Claude feedback, ChatGPT personal accounts that are still in use). On the checklist
3. Set retention on purpose instead of taking the default. On the checklist
4. Turn on single sign-on so a lawyer who leaves loses access the same day. On the checklist
5. Decide on connectors, apps and agents before staff add them. On the checklist
6. Pick a rule on memory, and teach temporary or incognito chats for one-off matter questions. On the checklist
7. Put the vendor's written terms on training, retention, subprocessors and breach notice in the file. On the checklist
8. Write the one-page staff instruction and a note for each new hire. On the checklist
9. Keep a verification step before anything is filed. That is a procedure, not a setting, and no vendor sells it. On the checklist
10. Decide what the engagement letter says about AI use and billing. That is yours to write; I only flag that the opinion raises it. On the checklist

Rules around it

Technology competence: Yes. Colo. RPC 1.1 cmt. [8]; first adopted April 6, 2016 (Colorado Supreme Court order, per LawSites tracker); reworded Jan.

Court rule on AI in filings: Rule Change 2026(02), Colo. RPC Scope [20A], Rule 1.1 Comments [8] and [9], 2026-01-08, effective immediately. What it asks of the signer: none for filings; RPC comments on AI.

In motion: Colorado Supreme Court Legal Technology Advisory Committee (created Sept. 2025) must submit an initial proposed AI guidance document; due Oct. 1, 2026 per Colorado Lawyer May/June 2026 article; delivery not confirmed 2026-10-01 source

What this page is not

This is a tech settings page, not legal advice. The state document above is the ethics half and it is yours to read and decide on. I am not a lawyer. I link the source so you can check me.

Send me one screenshot

Crop out client names, send me a screenshot of your Claude, ChatGPT or Microsoft 365 admin settings page, and I'll write back what I'd change. Free. I never need a login.

If you want this kept current for your firm, that is the monthly desk: I watch these settings as the vendors change them and as your state changes its guidance, answer staff questions in writing, usually within one business day, and write up setup notes for each new hire. $500 a month, cancel any month.

Email [email protected]

Who wrote this

I'm Nick Kaufman. I've spent six years in customer-facing technical support for SaaS, payments and CRM software, including three years at Tier 2 on a CRM built for financial advisors, whose firms work under SEC and FINRA rules. I'm not a lawyer and I don't give legal advice. I set up software so it does what the people responsible for it decided it should do.

Other states: the full list.