No individual claiming benefits shall be charged fees of any kind in any proceeding under articles 70 to 82 of this title by the division or its representatives or by any court or any officer thereof; except that the controller may charge a reasonable fee as provided in section 8-79-102 (2) for the recoupment of benefit overpayments, and any party appealing the decision of a referee shall be assessed the actual costs of preparing a transcript according to rules promulgated by the director of the division except if the appellant is successful the cost of preparing the transcript will be refunded. Any person who violates this provision is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any individual claiming benefits in any proceeding before the division or a court may be represented by counsel. Unless approved by the division, no lien shall be allowed or suit brought for attorney fees, contingent or otherwise, for services rendered for the collection of any individual's claim for benefits.
Source: L. 71: p. 943, § 17. C.R.S. 1963: § 82-10-2. L. 83: Entire section amended, p. 432, § 12, effective June 3. L. 86: Entire section amended, p. 496, § 107, effective July 1.