CIIS was founded on October 1, 2009 in order to serve the needs of immigrants who are survivors of torture, asylum seekers, war trauma survivors, and victims of other forms of human rights abuses, including trafficking victims residing in Colorado who have fled systematic torture, persecution, and other forms of human rights abuses and violations. Due to United States immigration law, these individuals are offered no direct state or federal assistance in their transition to a new life in the United States. CIIS offers a number of services that are intended to ease the transitional process for survivors: Our immigration and legal services are provided by qualified and licensed immigration attorneys in the State of Colorado. CIIS refers all of its immigration related cases out to licensed and accredited immigration attorneys who are passionate and willing to represent all of our participants free-of-charge.  CIIS also offers social support and community resources; access to health care services, and mental health and counseling services to all survivors and families screened and accepted for support and services.  CIIS is unique in that it is the only torture treatment center of its kind in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region in the United States of America. CIIS was formed by former torture survivors and some local United States citizens.