Colorado Code § 27-81-114

Rights of persons receiving evaluation, care, or treatment
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(1) A facility
shall immediately advise each person receiving evaluation, care, or treatment under any
provision of this article 81, orally and in writing, that the person has and is afforded the
following rights:
(a) To be evaluated to determine the person's behavioral health treatment needs relating
to the use of substances, including alcohol or drugs;
(b) If under an emergency commitment pursuant to section 27-81-111, to refuse to be
examined by a licensed physician for certification. A person's refusal to be examined for
certification may be alleged in a petition for involuntary commitment. A person may request to
be examined by the person's physician, or a court may order a person to be evaluated by a
licensed physician for certification.
(c) To receive timely medical and behavioral health care and treatment, as specified in
law, that is determined based on the person's needs and that is delivered in the least restrictive
treatment setting possible, as set forth in BHA rules;
(d) To be treated fairly and to receive the same consideration and access to appropriate
services as others, regardless of race, color, national origin, age, gender identity, gender
expression, sexual orientation, political affiliation, religious beliefs, financial status, or
disability;
(e) To contest a commitment proceeding or to enter into a stipulated order of the court
for committed treatment;
(f) To retain and consult with an attorney at any time and to have an attorney appointed
by or provided by the court in a timely manner in any proceedings relating to commitment or
recommitment if the person wants the assistance of an attorney and is unable to obtain an
attorney;
(g) To at any time seek to be discharged from commitment by an order in the nature of
habeas corpus;
(h) Once no longer under the influence of drugs or intoxicated by alcohol, to sign in and
seek voluntary substance use disorder treatment, unless the administrator determines in writing
that reasonable grounds exist to believe that the person will not remain in voluntary treatment or
that the person is clearly dangerous to the health and safety of himself or herself or others;
(i) If in committed treatment, to receive twenty-four-hour notice prior to being
transferred to another facility;
(j) To have reasonable opportunities for continuing visitation and communication with
the person's family and friends, consistent with an effective treatment program and as
determined in BHA rules. Each person may meet with the person's attorney, clergyperson, or
health-care provider at any time.
(k) To have reasonable access to mail and writing materials, including postage, as well
as the assistance of facility staff if the person is unable to write, prepare, or mail correspondence;
(l) Subject to BHA rules relating to the use of telephones and other communication
devices, to have reasonable access to telephones or other communication devices, and to make
and to receive calls or communications in privacy. Facility staff shall not open, delay, intercept,
read, or censor mail or other communications or use mail or other communications as a method
to enforce compliance with facility staff.
(m) To wear his or her own clothes, keep and use personal possessions, and keep and be
allowed to spend a reasonable sum of the person's own money;
(n) To have access to medical records;
(o) To have treatment records remain confidential, except as required by law;
(p) To not be fingerprinted, unless required by law;
(q) To refuse to be photographed, except for treatment facility identification purposes;
(r) To have the opportunity to register and vote by absentee ballot with the assistance of
facility staff;
(s) To have appropriate access to adequate food, water, and hygiene products;
(t) To have physical privacy in showering, changing, and using the restroom; and
(u) To be free of restraints and solitary confinement.
(2) Only qualified staff providing evaluation, treatment, or care for a person may deny or
restrict the person's rights under subsection (1) of this section if the person's health or safety
would be clearly endangered if the rights were not denied or restricted. If a person's rights are
denied or restricted, the reason for the denial or restriction must be explained to the person and
entered into the person's treatment record. The facility shall provide the person and the person's
attorney the information pertaining to a denial or restriction of rights contained in the person's
treatment record. The person's rights must be immediately restored as soon as the person's health
and safety are no longer clearly endangered.
(3) A person receiving evaluation, care, or treatment under any provision of this article
81 may submit a grievance or complaint against the facility or facility staff pursuant to a
grievance or complaint process, which is explained to the person in detail and included with the
oral and written explanation of rights.
(4) As part of the immediate oral and written advisement of the rights enumerated in this
section, a facility shall also include the telephone number and e-mail address for the office of the
ombudsman for behavioral health access to care, created in section 27-80-303. The written
advisements must be translated if the person cannot read or understand English. The
administrator shall cause the rights enumerated in this section to be posted in a prominent
location where clients in the facility reside, which posting must also include the number and e-
mail address for the office of the ombudsman for behavioral health access to care, created in
section 27-80-303.

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