Legislation
SB23-064 became effective July 1, 2023, and extends the office indefinitely and requires the office to operate in every judicial district in the State by December 31, 2030.
Colorado Office of Public Guardianship 2025 Final Report
Colorado Office of Public Guardianship 2024 Final Report
Colorado Office of Public Guardianship 2023 Final Report
Colorado office of Public Guardianship 2022 Final Report
Colorado Office of Pubic Guardianship and Judicial Memorandum of Understanding
Colorado Office of Public Guardianship and Office of Behavioral Health Memorandum of Understanding
General Assembly
Colorado Office of Public Guardianship Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Request
Colorado Office of Public Guardianship Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget Request
Colorado Office of Public Guardianship Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Request
Colorado Office of Public Guardianship Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request
Colorado Office of Public Guardianship Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Request
Colorado Office of Public Guardianship Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Amendment Request
Colorado Office of Public Guardianship Joint Budget Committee Materials 2022
SMART Act Hearing
SMART Act Performance Plan 2023
SMART Act Performance Plan 2022
SMART Act Performance Plan 2021
Duties and Services
The duties and services of the Colorado Office of Public Guardian (OPG) is codified in the Office of Public Guardianship Act, C.R.S. §§ 13-94-101 – 13-94-111 (2017, 2019).
Pursuant to § 13-94-102 (2)(I), C.R.S. (2017), the Colorado Office of Public Guardian shall provide guardianship services to indigent and incapacitated adults who reside in the 2nd Judicial District/Denver County:
- Have no responsible family members or friends who are available and appropriate to serve as guardian;
- Lack adequate resources to compensate a private guardian and pay the costs associated with an appointment proceeding;
- Are not subject to a petition for appointment of guardian filed by a county adult protective services unit or otherwise authorized by section § 26-3.1-104, C.R.S.
The OPG does not handle finances for clients.
Reporting Requirements
BY January 1 of each year, the director shall submit a report to the senate and house of representatives judiciary committees, or any successor committees, concerning the activities of the office. At a minimum, the report must summarize the office’s work over the prior state fiscal year in providing guardianship services for indigent and incapacitated adults and identify any notable efficiencies and obstacles that the office incurred in providing guardianship services during the prior state fiscal year.
Standards of Practice
The Colorado Office of Public Guardianship adopts the National Guardianship Association’s:
- Standards of Practice for Agencies and Programs Providing Guardianship Services,
- Ethical Principles, and
- Standards of Practice.
The Colorado Office of Public Guardianship strongly encourages staff to become a Center for Guardianship Certification (CGC) National Certified Guardian and National Master Guardian: https://guardianshipcert.org/about-certification/