1



                                                                    Exhibit 5.1


September 22, 1998


SCC Communications Corp.
6285 Lookout Road
Boulder, Colorado 80301


Ladies and Gentlemen:


We are counsel to SCC Communications Corp., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and in such capacity have examined the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement"), being filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of the offering of a maximum of 2,101,055
shares (the "Shares") of the Company's Common Stock, to be issued pursuant to
the SCC Communications Corp. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan and the SCC
Communications Corp. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (collectively, the "Plans").
We are familiar with the proceedings undertaken by the Company in connection
with the authorization, reservation and registration of the Shares.
Additionally, we have examined such questions of law and fact as we have
considered necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion.

Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly
authorized and, upon issuance, delivery and payment therefor as contemplated by
the Plans, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We hereby consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.



Very truly yours,

IRELAND, STAPLETON, PRYOR & PASCOE, P.C.


By: /s/ Susan L. Oakes
    --------------------------------
    Susan L. Oakes, Vice President