1 EXHIBIT 23.1 JONES & KELLER ATTORNEYS AT LAW 1625 BROADWAY, SUITE 1600 DENVER, COLORADO 80202 TELEPHONE: (303) 573-1600 FACSIMILE: (303) 573-0769 February 3, 1997 Citizens, Inc. 400 East Anderson Lane Austin, Texas 78714-9151 Gentlemen: We hereby consent to the use of our opinion dated January 17, 1997 filed as Exhbit 5.1 to the Registration Statement of Citizens, Inc. Registration No. 333-1613 as part of the Registration Statement and to the reference to our name under the heading "Legal Matters" in this Information Statement-Prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement. Very truly yours, /s/ Jones & Keller, P.C. Jones & Keller, P.C.