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Advance Directives

Make your healthcare wishes known ahead of time.

An advance directive is a legal document that lets you share your healthcare preferences and choose someone you trust to make medical decisions for you if you are ever unable to speak for yourself. Advance directives are an important part of planning for the future and giving peace of mind to you and your loved ones.

Under Colorado law, adults have the right to accept or refuse medical treatment, and you may document those decisions in advance. If you don’t create an advance directive and later become unable to make decisions, family members or others may have to go to court to obtain authority to act on your behalf.

What advance directives can do for you

Advance directives allow you to:

Choose a healthcare agent (medical durable power of attorney)
This is the person you trust to make medical decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself. They are sometimes called a healthcare proxy or surrogate. You can give your agent broad authority or limit what decisions they can make.

Document your treatment preferences (living will)
Also sometimes called a declaration as to medical or surgical treatment, a living will lets you state your wishes about life-sustaining care, such as whether you would want treatments that only prolong the dying process or not.

Provide other instructions
Colorado recognizes other directives, such as CPR/Do Not Resuscitate orders and Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment (MOST), which can guide your care in specific situations.

Advance directives do not affect your right to receive care now. They only guide decisions if you are unable to communicate your wishes.

How to complete your advance directive in Colorado

  • You must be 18 years or older and mentally competent when you sign your documents.
  • Most advance directive forms must be signed and witnessed by two uninterested adults or notarized for added legal clarity.
  • Choose someone you trust as your healthcare agent and discuss your wishes with them.
  • Provide copies to your agent, loved ones, and healthcare providers.
  • You can update or revoke your advance directive at any time as long as you are able.

 

Colorado advance directive forms, including Medical Durable Power of Attorney and Living Will templates, are available from reputable sources online and should be specific to Colorado to ensure they meet state requirements.

 

Why this matters

Having an advance directive:

  • Ensures your wishes are followed even if you can’t speak for yourself.
  • Helps guide your healthcare team and loved ones during difficult times.
  • Reduces stress and uncertainty for your family and caregivers.
  • Even if you’re healthy now, planning ahead gives you control and peace of mind.

 

Need help or have questions?

Your GMA provider can talk with you about advance care planning during a visit and help you understand the forms. It’s a great conversation to have with your provider, your agent, and your family so everyone understands your choices.

CaringInfo offers advance directive templates in both English & Spanish.

Download forms