TERMS & POLICIES
View our Terms & Conditions, Refund Policy, Privacy Policy, and Accessibility Statement.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
1. Purpose of the Site
CIPA is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to supporting independent publishers, authors, and industry professionals. The content on this site is provided for educational, informational, and membership-related purposes.
2. Membership and Events
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Memberships, event registrations, and services offered through this site are subject to availability and may require payment.
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CIPA reserves the right to update membership benefits, event offerings, or fees at any time.
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Refund and cancellation policies will be stated at the time of purchase or registration.
3. Intellectual Property
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All content, including text, graphics, logos, images, and resources published on this site, is the property of CIPA or its contributors, unless otherwise noted.
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You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, or modify any content without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use.
4. User Responsibilities
By using this site, you agree not to:
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Use the site for unlawful purposes or in violation of applicable laws and regulations (including Colorado state law and GDPR where relevant).
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Post or share content that is harmful, defamatory, infringing, or otherwise inappropriate.
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Attempt to disrupt or interfere with site security, services, or networks.
5. Third-Party Links and Services
This site may contain links to third-party websites or services. CIPA is not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or content of third-party resources and does not endorse or assume liability for them.
6. Privacy and Data Protection
Your use of this site is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and safeguard your data in compliance with Colorado privacy law and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
7. Disclaimers
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Content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or professional advice.
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While we strive for accuracy, CIPA does not guarantee that the content on this site is error-free, complete, or current.
8. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, CIPA is not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from your use of this site, participation in events, or reliance on information provided.
9. Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of Colorado, USA, without regard to conflict of law principles.
10. Changes to Terms
We may update these T&C from time to time. Any updates will be posted on this page with the “Last Updated” date. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.
11. Contact
If you have questions about these Terms & Conditions, please contact us:
+1 720-593-0347
15475 E Fair Pl Unit 329 Centennial, CO 80016, USA
REFUND POLICY
At the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA), we value our members and event participants. Please review our refund and cancellation terms below:
Memberships
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Membership dues are non-refundable, except in cases of administrative error (e.g., duplicate payments).
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Memberships are valid for the period stated at the time of purchase and are not transferable.
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Failure to use or access membership benefits does not constitute grounds for a refund.
Events, Workshops, and Conferences
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Event registrations may be cancelled up to [X days — e.g., 7 days] before the scheduled event for a full refund, unless otherwise stated at registration.
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Cancellations made less than [X days] before an event may not be eligible for a refund.
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If CIPA cancels an event, registrants will receive a full refund or may choose to apply their payment as a credit toward future events.
Digital Products & Resources
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Refunds are not available for digital downloads, recordings, or online resources once access has been granted.
Exceptional Circumstances
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Refund requests outside of these terms will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. CIPA reserves the right to grant or deny refunds at its sole discretion.
PRIVACY POLICY
Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Last Updated: August 1, 2025
1. Introduction
The Collective of Independent Publishers and Authors (CIPA) is a non-profit, member-driven organization dedicated to promoting excellence and education in independent publishing. We value your trust and are committed to protecting your personal data.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you visit our website at cipabooks.com, join as a member, attend an event, or otherwise interact with CIPA.
This policy complies with applicable Colorado privacy laws, including the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), and with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for visitors from the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United Kingdom.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of personal and non-personal information:
A. Information You Provide Directly:
Name, address, email, phone number • Professional and publishing-related information (e.g., company name, genre, services offered) • Payment information for membership dues, EVVY Awards submissions, event registration, or purchases (processed through secure third-party providers; we do not store your full payment details) • Profile data for member directory listings • EVVY Awards submission materials and related information
B. Information Collected Automatically:
IP address and browser type • Device information • Pages visited and time spent on our site (via analytics tools) • Cookie data and website usage patterns
C. Information from Third Parties:
Event partners, sponsors, or referral sources (if you opt-in or register through them) • Professional references for membership applications
3. How We Use Your Information
CIPA uses your information to:
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Manage membership accounts and provide member benefits
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Process EVVY Awards submissions and manage the awards program
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Register you for events, workshops, webinars, and monthly meetings
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Publish your directory listing in our member directory (if you choose to participate)
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Send newsletters, updates, and marketing communications (only if you opted in)
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Facilitate networking opportunities among members
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Process payments for membership dues, events, and services
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Improve our website and member services
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Comply with legal obligations
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Support our CIPA ELF (Educational Literacy Foundation) programs
4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)
For visitors in the EEA/UK, CIPA processes your personal data under one or more of the following legal bases:
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Consent (Article 6(1)(a) GDPR) — e.g., when you opt in to receive newsletters
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Contract (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR) — e.g., when processing your membership or EVVY Awards submissions
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Legal Obligation (Article 6(1)(c) GDPR) — e.g., tax reporting requirements
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Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR) — e.g., member networking and organizational growth
5. Your Rights
Under Colorado Law:
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Right to access, correct, delete, or opt out of the sale/sharing of your personal data.
Under GDPR (for EEA/UK residents):
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Right to access your data
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Right to rectification
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Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
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Right to data portability
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Right to restrict or object to processing
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Right to withdraw consent at any time
To exercise your rights, contact CIPA at:
+1 720-593-0347
15475 E Fair Pl Unit 329 Centennial, CO 80016, USA
6. Data Sharing and Disclosure
CIPA may share your information in the following limited circumstances:
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Member Directory: With your explicit consent, we may include your information in our member directory visible to other CIPA members
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Service Providers: With trusted third-party service providers who assist with website operations, payment processing, event management, and email communications
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Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or legal process
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Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of CIPA assets (with advance notice to members)
We do not sell, rent, or otherwise commercially distribute your personal information.
ACCESSABILITY STATEMENT
This statement was last updated on August 15th, 2024.
The Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA) is committed to ensuring that our website is accessible to all people, including individuals with disabilities.
We have adapted this site in accordance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, and we strive to meet the AA level compliance standard.
To support accessibility, we have:
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Used Accessibility Wizard to identify and address potential accessibility issues
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Set the default language of the site to English (US)
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Established a logical content order for all site pages
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Defined clear and consistent heading structures
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Added alternative text to all meaningful images
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Implemented color combinations that meet required color contrast ratios
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Reduced the use of unnecessary motion and animations
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Ensured all videos, audio, and downloadable files are accessible
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Enabled navigation and functionality via keyboard controls
At this time, certain pages may contain third-party content that is not fully accessible.
We continue to work with our partners and vendors to ensure that all content meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards.
While CIPA is primarily a virtual organization, when hosting in-person events or meetings, we aim to provide venues that offer:
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Wheelchair-accessible entrances and seating
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Accessible restrooms
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Designated accessible parking spaces
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Proximity to public transportation where possible
If you encounter an accessibility issue on our site or require assistance accessing any content, please contact our Accessibility Coordinator:
We welcome feedback on the accessibility of our site and services. We aim to respond to accessibility-related inquiries within 5 business days.