Colorado Code § 15-14-102

Definitions
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In parts 1 to 4 of this article 14:
(1) "Claim", with respect to a protected person, includes a claim against an individual,
whether arising in contract, tort, or otherwise, and a claim against an estate which arises at or
after the appointment of a conservator, including expenses of administration.
(2) "Conservator" means a person at least twenty-one years of age, resident or non-
resident, who is appointed by a court to manage the estate of a protected person. The term
includes a limited conservator.
(3) "Court" means the court or division thereof having jurisdiction in matters relating to
the affairs of decedents and protected persons. This court is the district court, except in the city
and county of Denver where it is the probate court.
(4) "Guardian" means an individual at least twenty-one years of age, resident or non-
resident, who has qualified as a guardian of a minor or incapacitated person pursuant to
appointment by a parent or by the court. The term includes a limited, emergency, and temporary
substitute guardian but not a guardian ad litem.
(5) "Incapacitated person" means an individual other than a minor, who is unable to
effectively receive or evaluate information or both or make or communicate decisions to such an
extent that the individual lacks the ability to satisfy essential requirements for physical health,
safety, or self-care, even with appropriate and reasonably available technological assistance.
(6) "Legal representative" includes a representative payee, a guardian or conservator
acting for a respondent in this state or elsewhere, a trustee or custodian of a trust or
custodianship of which the respondent is a beneficiary, or an agent designated under a power of
attorney, whether for health care or property, in which the respondent is identified as the
principal.
(7) "Letters" includes letters of guardianship or letters of conservatorship.
(7.5) "Member of the supportive community" means a person whom the respondent,
ward, or protected person has trusted for the one-year period immediately preceding the filing of
a petition pursuant to section 15-14-304 or 15-14-403 to engage in supported decision-making
and who may have relevant information about the respondent's, ward's, or protected person's
desires and personal values.
(8) "Minor" means an unemancipated individual who has not attained eighteen years of
age; except that in proceedings pursuant to section 15-14-204 (2.5) only, "minor" means an
unmarried individual who has not attained twenty-one years of age.
(9) "Parent" means a parent whose parental rights have not been terminated.
(10) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership,
limited liability company, association, joint venture, government, governmental subdivision,
agency, or instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity.
(10.5) "Post-adjudication" means after appointment of a permanent guardian or special
or permanent conservator after a hearing for which a respondent was provided notice pursuant to
section 15-14-309 or section 15-14-404, or both, and at which the respondent had an opportunity
to present evidence and be heard.
(11) "Protected person" means a minor or other individual for whom a conservator has
been appointed or other protective order has been made.
(12) "Respondent" means an individual for whom the appointment of a guardian or
conservator or other protective order is sought.
(13) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction
of the United States.
(13.5) "Supported decision-making" means the way an adult with a disability or
diminished capacity has made or is making his or her own decisions by using friends, family
members, professionals, and other people he or she trusts to:
(a) Help understand the issues and choices;
(b) Ask questions;
(c) Receive explanations in language he or she understands;
(d) Communicate his or her decisions to others if necessary; or
(e) Facilitate the exercise of decisions regarding his or her day-to-day health, safety,
welfare, or financial affairs.
(14) "Tribe" means an Indian tribe or band, or Alaskan Native village, which is
recognized by federal law or formally acknowledged by a state.
(15) "Ward" means an individual for whom a guardian has been appointed.

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