Colorado § 15-18.5-101 - Legislative declaration - construction of statute.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 15-18.5-101 — Legislative declaration - construction of statute., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 15-18.5-101. Legislative declaration - construction of statute.
(1) The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that:
(a) All adult persons have a fundamental right to make their own medical treatment and health-care benefit decisions, including decisions regarding medical treatment, artificial nourishment and hydration, and private or public health-care benefits;
(b) The lack of decisional capacity to provide informed consent to or refusal of medical treatment should not preclude such decisions from being made on behalf of a person who lacks such decisional capacity and who has no known advance medical directive, or whose wishes are not otherwise known; and
(c) The enactment of legislation to authorize proxy decision-makers to make medical treatment decisions and surrogate decision-makers to make health-care benefit decisions on behalf of persons lacking the decisional capacity to provide informed consent to or refusal of medical treatment is appropriate.
(2) The general assembly does not intend to encourage or discourage any particular medical treatment or to interfere with or affect any method of religious or spiritual healing otherwise permitted by law.
(3) Nothing in this article shall be construed as condoning, authorizing, or approving euthanasia or mercy killing. In addition, the general assembly does not intend that this article be construed as permitting any affirmative or deliberate act to end a person's life, except to permit natural death as provided by this article.
Source: L. 92: Entire article added, p. 1984, § 3, effective June 4. L. 2006: (1)(a) and (1)(c) amended, p. 841, § 3, effective May 4.
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 15-18.5-101
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 15-18.5-101 cover?
Section 15-18.5-101 ("Legislative declaration - construction of statute.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 15-18.5-101?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 15-18.5-101" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 15-18.5-101 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.