Students Teach Consumer Skills to Public

Colorado Law hosted the First Annual Consumer Skills Seminar, “Be a Savvy Consumer,” which was offered to the public jointly by the Boulder Community Housing Authority (BCHA) and Professor Amy Schmitz’s Consumer Empowerment Service-Learning Seminar at Colorado Law. The seminar focused on how to be a savvy consumer in areas such as apartment leasing, automobile purchases, online contracts, and more. Law students covered each topic using a booklet they wrote, How to be a Savvy Consumer, which BCHA and other local organizations will distribute to Boulder County consumers. More than 20 community residents attended the four-hour seminar, along with numerous government and non-profit officials.

“This seminar benefits all involved because it provides outreach and service to the community while significantly enhancing students’ understanding and analysis of the law ‘in action’” said Professor Schmitz. Her Consumer Empowerment course is part of a series of service learning courses she has taught over the past several years.

Christopher Hudak of BCHA echoed Professor Schmitz’s sentiments, stating, “We are truly grateful to Colorado Law and their students. This seminar highlighted some of the issues of the growing economic crisis with which our community is grappling, and we were happy that the law school has joined in Boulder County's efforts to inform consumers about community resources for dealing with some tough consumer issues.”

Jill Kenney, a second-year law student, gave a presentation regarding manufactured homes, a topic that is critical to consumer protection. “For me, this was truly an enlightening experience. I’m glad I could help prepare members of our community so they can better protect themselves.”