Colorado

Overview

Colorado enacted supported decision-making legislation in 2020 and 2021. There are no new supported decision-making bills pending. We have not located any case law specifically recognizing supported decision-making, but it may still be required as a less restrictive alternative to guardianship.

Guardianship Laws

View Information

Guardianship: Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 15-14-101 to -122; 15-14-301 to -319; 15-14-401 to -434; 15-14.5-101 to -503

Supported Decision-Making

State Legislation

Enacted

C.R.S.A. § 15-14-801 et seq.(Effective September 7, 2021)
- Description: Allows an adult with a disability to voluntarily enter into supported decision-making agreements that allow members of the supportive community to:
  - Help with general decision making
  - Assist in collecting, obtaining, and understanding information related to medical, psychological, financial, educational, occupational, and social decisions, if the person with a disability requests that assistance
  - Assist in communicating the adult with a disability’s decisions to the appropriate persons
- Bill number: S.B. 75, 73nd Gen. Assemb., 1st Reg. Sess. (Colo. 2021)
- Status: Effective as of Sept. 7, 2021
C.R.S.A. §§ 15-14-102 (7.5), (13.5); 15-14-113.5
- Description: Requires the court to appoint a court visitor to interview the respondent and others and report to the court on the supported decision-making surrounding the respondent if the court appoints as an emergency guardian or special conservator a professional person or public administrator.
- Bill number: S.B. 129, 72nd Gen. Assemb., 2nd Reg. Sess. (Colo. 2020)
- Status: Codified as of Sept 14, 2020