Skip to content

Colorado Temporary Guardianship Agreement

Colorado Delegation of Power by Parent or Guardian (C.R.S. 15-14-105, JDF 751): up to 12 months.

Find out where you stand in Colorado

Why do you need someone else to care for the child?

DocDraft provides document preparation, not legal advice.

Introduction

A Colorado Delegation of Power by Parent or Guardian is a power of attorney under C.R.S. 15-14-105 that the parent signs. The statute caps it at twelve months. The free court form, JDF 751, says the parent can revoke it earlier in writing.

Key Things to Know

  1. 1

    The instrument is the Delegation of Power by Parent or Guardian, a power of attorney under C.R.S. 15-14-105. The parent signs it. The official court form is JDF 751 (instructions on JDF 750); the statute does not mention a form, so the form is optional.

  2. 2

    The delegation may last for a period not exceeding twelve months. JDF 751 states the authority is not valid for more than 12 months from the date of the document and has a blank effective-until date. Neither the statute nor the form addresses renewal.

  3. 3

    JDF 751 has a notary block, and the JDF 750 instructions call it signed and notarized. The statute itself states no notary requirement and does not mention witnesses. The form has one signature line for the parent or guardian, and the statute is silent on whether one or both parents must sign.

  4. 4

    Nothing is filed. The JDF 750 instructions say to give the original, signed and notarized delegation to the person named on the form, and that it does not need to be filed with the court or approved by a court order. There are no court filing fees. Neither the statute nor the forms require notice to the other parent.

  5. 5

    The statute allows delegation of any power regarding care, custody, or property of the child, except the power to consent to marriage or adoption. JDF 751 covers day-to-day care, custody, education, recreation and property, and any and all medical and dental care, and it repeats that the power to consent to marriage or adoption is not given.

  6. 6

    This is not a court guardianship. It does not change who has legal custody and does not reduce or end the parent's rights. The parent can revoke it earlier in writing, as JDF 751 provides. The statute states no relative requirement or minimum age for the person named, and it has no rule that requires a school or provider to accept the document.

  7. 7

    Use a court route if the document does not fit your situation or a longer or court-backed arrangement is needed. A temporary guardian of a minor under C.R.S. 15-14-204(4) requires a showing that an immediate need exists and that it is in the child's best interest, with notice to the parents and to a minor 12 or older, and may not exceed six months. An emergency guardian under 15-14-204(5) may not exceed sixty days. A guardianship over a parent's objection is a contested case. See the guardianship of a minor petition page. Report abuse or danger to the child to the Colorado child protective agency, and take disputes between parents to a custody or parenting plan.

Key decisions before you file

Before you file a Temporary Guardianship Agreement in Colorado, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Temporary Guardianship Agreement guide walks through them.

Open the Temporary Guardianship Agreement guide

Customize your Temporary Guardianship Agreement Template with DocDraft

Colorado Requirements for Temporary Guardianship Agreement

  • Parent or Guardian Signs the Delegation

    A parent or guardian delegates by a power of attorney. JDF 751 has one signature line for the parent or guardian and none for the person named. The statute is silent on whether one or both parents must sign (C.R.S. 15-14-105; JDF 751).

  • Notary Block on the Court Form

    JDF 751 has a notary block and the JDF 750 instructions call it signed and notarized. The statute itself states no notary requirement and does not mention witnesses (C.R.S. 15-14-105; JDF 750; JDF 751).

  • Term of Up to 12 Months

    The delegation is for a period not exceeding twelve months, and JDF 751 states the authority is not valid for more than 12 months from the date of the document. Neither source addresses renewal (C.R.S. 15-14-105; JDF 751).

  • Not Filed With a Court

    The original, signed and notarized delegation is given to the person named on the form. It does not need to be filed with the court or approved by a court order (JDF 750).

  • Powers Over Care, Custody and Property

    A parent may delegate any power regarding care, custody, or property of the child. JDF 751 lists day-to-day care, custody, education, recreation and property, and any and all medical and dental care (C.R.S. 15-14-105; JDF 751).

  • Marriage and Adoption Consent Excluded

    The delegation cannot give the power to consent to the marriage or adoption of the child (C.R.S. 15-14-105; JDF 751).

  • Written Revocation by the Parent

    JDF 751 makes the authority effective until the stated date unless revoked earlier by the parent or guardian in writing. The statute is silent on revocation and the forms provide no other-parent notice (JDF 751).

  • Any Other Person May Serve

    The parent may delegate to another person. The statute states no relative requirement and no minimum age for the person named (C.R.S. 15-14-105).

Frequently Asked Questions