$ 425-425 per hour
Clifton L Black
also known as Cliff Black
About Clifton
Biography
Clifton Black is a veteran attorney and life-long Colorado Springs resident. Cliff attended public school in Colorado Springs as well as Pikes Peak Community College and the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
Cliff began his career as a sole practitioner in 2000, when he discovered a passion for practicing criminal defense while representing a family friend in a DUI matter. For much of his career, he practiced as a criminal defense attorney and assisted thousands of clients in this area of law. Cliff has always advocated for his clients and has their best interest when fighting for them.
With the legalization of medical marijuana, Cliff began practicing in this area representing the marijuana industry in 2009. At that time attorneys in the community were not familiar with the legalities of medical marijuana. While most attorneys were unwilling to educate themselves on the legalities, Cliff was willing to review the Constitution regarding medical marijuana and the other legalities involved.
Cliff is now a well-known legal expert and advocate for the regulated marijuana industry and is well-known in the state of Colorado as such. Cliff has participated in the City Council of Colorado Springs and was an active member of the initial Marijuana Task Force that was created by the City Council to draft proposed ordinances along with other experts in the industry. Although those proposed ordinances were not ultimately adopted, he worked with the City Attorney’s Office, City Clerk, City Planning, and other officials to create ordinances that were adopted by the City Council. Cliff has been a panel member on numerous panels related to marijuana.
Today many regulated marijuana establishments, caretakers, and business owners that provide secondary services/products turn to Cliff for legal guidance on local, state, and federal laws that govern the marijuana industry.
The laws continuously evolve and Cliff stays well versed in the complex area and has a thorough understanding. He does this by actively working vigorously and diligently on every matter that he takes on and remains appraised of the law.
Cliff continues to work with the City of Colorado Springs on its ordinances through the Colorado Springs Marijuana Working Group, a group established by the City Council to provide additional guidance to the City on its ordinances for the licensed marijuana industry.
Many attorneys throughout the state contact Cliff for his opinion and seek answers. As a veteran attorney for the marijuana industry, it’s not uncommon for the news media to contact Cliff for his opinion on marijuana issues.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Business
30%
17 years
Contracts and Agreements
30%
17 years
Licensing
30%
17 years
Criminal Defense
10%
26 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Colorado for 25 years
State: Colorado
Acquired: 2000
No misconduct found
Location
Black, Blink, & Associates, LLC
2 N Cascade Ave, 11th Floor, Colorado Springs, CO, 80903
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Clifton L Black's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 16 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | September 22, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent & highly experienced attorney!
Awesome lawyer! So personable & attentive to detail! My grandson acquired 3 cases, 2 felonies, 1 misdemeanor. Two of the cases were dismissed & the last plead down to a misdemeanor! The last to be dismissed in 12 months if he stays out of trouble! Couldn’t have asked for a better plea deal! Wou...
Posted by Josh | June 29, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Case Dismissed and Sealed
Wonderful lawyer, he’s on your side, I had 3 misdemeanor charges pressed against me no community service OR jail time and we had an angle. He also had his apprentice with him Charles Allen who I also recommend as well, it turned out the case got solved through the neighborhood justice center. It was ...
Posted by Kellen | June 22, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Cliff Black is an outstanding attorney!
Cliff has been advising me on matters related to my business for six years now. No matter what the issue, he has been there to help. He is knowledgeable, professional, and always available when I need him. I trust him completely and consider him a friend. Part of being a great defense attorney is ke...
Posted by Gabriel | October 19, 2014
Sealing of my records
As my family and I continue to progress there was one more step that was need it and it was to seal my records. Mr. Cliff assisted in making sure it was the final step in which was a long road to recover my past and insure that one mistake i made should not keep me from suceeding in life. I owe lots...
Posted by Angela | July 16, 2014
No regrets
It has been a complete pleasure to work with Clifton Black. He handled a 9 year old DUI on my behalf. I'm no longer a resident of Colorado Springs. I worried how it would all work with me in another state. It was no problem at all. The whole staff are helpful and friendly. Without hesitation I recom...
Clifton L Black's Lawyer Endorsements
"Clifton Black is an excellent attorney who is constantly thinking of ways to make his client's cases better. He works tirelessly on his client's cases and often times has an angle on a case that most attorneys have not or would not of thought of. In the field of medical and recreational marijuana, Mr. Black knows as much or more than any attorney in the industry and can help guide you through any step of the process. Mr. Black is an excellent attorney!"
"You can't do better than Cliff Black when it comes to Criminal Defense. He is the best of the best. He is also the leading attorney in marijuana law in the region."
"I endorse this lawyer. Cliff is a zealous advocate for all of his clients, regardless of what charges they face."
"I endorse this lawyer. As a former Deputy District Attorney, Mr. Black and I worked together on numerous cases, and I always found him to be ethical, knowledgeable, and a zealous advocate for his clients."
"Cliff is extremely knowledgeable and trustworthy. He is an outstanding lawyer and I highly recommend him to anyone looking for one of the best attorneys in town."
"I highly endorse this lawyer, they are a well respected member of the legal community and always give their clients the best representation, If you are looking for someone willing to fight hard for your case, then look no further"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Clifton. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"Mr. Black is an experienced, personable, dedicated criminal defense attorney. He is almost universally acknowledged as the most knowledgeable marijuana defense attorney in the area. He's also a consummate professional, and we've worked together on several cases of co-defendants or cross complaints (i.e. where two people are arrested at the same time for crimes against each other) where we've been able to get all charges dismissed."
"I endorse this lawyer. A brilliant and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
"As a prosecutor I handled several cases against Mr. Black. He is a skilled trial attorney, extremely thorough is his practice, and obtains superior results for his clients. I highly recommend Mr. Black."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"As a former deputy district attorney, I squared off with Mr. Black on several occasions. He is a tremendous attorney and advocate for his clients with tons of experience and the knowledge and finesse to get outstanding results from even the most tenacious of prosecutors."
"When it comes to Colorado Springs, and really the entire state of Colorado, there are few lawyers more capable than Cliff. He is aggressive enough to make opposing counsel and prosecutors take him seriously without being too aggressive. As a fellow attorney, I have always found him helpful with suggestions for helping my own clients. While so many attorneys give our industry a bad name, Cliff is a real class act."
"I endorse this lawyer. Cliff is an excellent attorney with a proven track record. I have known him for many years and often ask him questions about the Colorado Criminal Justice System. Cliff has been at the forefront of protecting individual rights with respect to the Medical Marijuana industry. I highly recommend Mr. Black if you need a experienced criminal defense attorney in or around El Paso County Colorado."
"I endorse this lawyer. While I was still at the DA's office, Cliff was opposing counsel on several cases. He is a skilled, but very likeable attorney (the two do not always go together), that worked hard to get good resolutions for his clients."
"A true professional and skilled attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. After reviewing Attorney Clifton Black's profile and presence on Avvo it is clear he is one of finest Criminal Defense Attorneys in Colorado. With a Superb rating, over 12 years of experience and several outstanding reviews from clients and even Opposing Counsel, Colorado native Clifton Black is an easy choice!"
"I had the extreme pleasure of working against Mr. Black a few years ago on several economic crime and general criminal cases when I was a Deputy DA in El Paso County. He is the consummate professional. He is extremely knowledgable about the law and assertive for his client's rights. Additionally, I saw him frequently be able to work out better plea bargains than other criminal defense attorneys due to the hard work that he put into cases and the respect that we had for him at the DA's Office. If you hire Mr. Black, it will be one of the best decisions that you have ever made."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Sheila Ford
Criminal defense lawyer
Charles Allen
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Joshua Lindley
Criminal defense lawyer
Mariah Dylla
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Family lawyer
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Family lawyer
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Experience
Honors
2011
Best of 2011, Colorado Springs Independent
2007
Wall of Fame, Pikes Peak Community College
2003
Bryan S. Gardner Outstanding Young Lawyer, El Paso County Bar Association
Work Experience
2018 - Present
Owner, Law Offices of Clifton Black, PC
2000 - Present
Owner, Clifton L. Black, LLC
2000 - 2018
Partner, Black & Graham, LLC and Clifton L. Black, LLC
Associations
2009 - Present
Colorado Springs Medcial Cannabis CouncilAdvisor
2009 - Present
NORML Legal CommitteeBoard member
2002 - Present
Colorado Criminal Defense BarMember
2000 - Present
Colorado Bar AssociationMember
2000 - Present
El Paso County Bar AssociationMember
American Bar Association
Member
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Member
Sample of Legal Cases
The People of the State of Colorado v. Robert Crouse
Court rules in Mr. Black's client's favor.
State of Colorado v. Client
dismissal
Education
2000
University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
University of Colorado - Colorado Springs
BS - Bachelor of Science
1994
Pikes Peak COmmunity College
Associate
Speaking Engagements
2011
Criminal issues surrounding Medical Marijuana
Medical Marijuana and Criminal Defesne Issues
2010
Medical Cannabis Expo
Medical Cannabis and the Law
2010
How to start a medical marijuana business in Colorado
Legal issues in Medical Marijuana Caregiving
2010
El Paso County Bar annual Family Law Update
family law and Medical Marijuana
2010
City of Colorado Springs City Council Meeting
Regulations for Medical Marijuana
Publications
2009
Domestic Violence Report
Domestic Violence
2009
General Overview
DUI - Driving Under the Influence
2009
Law Enforcement
DUI - Driving Under the inluence / Drunk Driving
2009
Drinking and Driving Investigation
DUI - Driving Under the Influence / Drunk Driving
2009
Chemical Tests (Blood, Breath, and Urine)
DUI - Driving Under the Influence / Drunk Driving
2009
Department of Motor Vehicles
DUI - Driving Under the Influence / Drunk Driving
2009
Penalities Under Colorado Law
Marijuana
2009
Medical Marijuana
Medical Use of Marijuana
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can parole officers enter a dwelling unannounced if it is a multi residense
03 Jul 2013
Q&A
What does the term TA mean in terms of a court degree
24 Jun 2013
Q&A
If i have a warrant in one county and go to court in another county will i be arrested in court?
31 May 2013