Colorado C.R.S. § 15-14-105 Delegation of Power Explained

The Statute in Plain English

C.R.S. § 15-14-105 is a one-paragraph Colorado law that says a parent or legal guardian can hand off their authority over a child's care, custody and property to another adult for up to twelve months. The adult receiving the authority is called the Attorney-in-Fact.

The official court form for this is JDF 751 (Delegation of Power by Parent or Guardian). The instruction sheet is JDF 750. Both are free on the Colorado Judicial Branch website.

This is the single most important document for grandparents and relatives raising a child in Colorado without a court order. It covers school enrollment, medical consent, dental care, field trips, school medication forms and everyday decisions — all without filing anything in court or paying a filing fee.

What the Law Actually Says

The statutory text is short enough to quote: a parent or guardian "may delegate to another person, for a period not exceeding twelve months, any power regarding care, custody, or property of the minor or ward, except the power to consent to marriage or adoption."

Two hard limits are baked into the statute. The delegation cannot exceed twelve months, and it cannot authorize consent to marriage or adoption. The delegate may exercise the powers granted on the form, but cannot receive powers the parent or guardian does not have under an existing court order.

JDF 751: The Form

The current JDF 751 is a one-page form. The parent or guardian names the child and the Attorney-in-Fact, sets the date through which the delegation is effective, and signs before a notary public or court clerk. The form covers day-to-day care, custody, education, recreation, property, and medical and dental care. It has no separate acceptance page for the caregiver to sign.

JDF 750 is the instruction sheet for the delegation. It explains what notarization means, what the twelve-month limit is and when formal guardianship might be a better route.

Common Mistakes

Using a generic template from another state. Colorado does not have a statutory "Caregiver Authorization Affidavit" like California or Kentucky. Forms labeled as caregiver affidavits that are sold or given away online carry no legal authority in Colorado. Schools and clinics are not required to accept them.

Assuming the form lasts six months. Several online legal guides say Colorado minor POAs expire after six months. The statute says twelve months. The JDF 751 form tracks the statute.

Forgetting to notarize. An un-notarized JDF 751 is invalid. The parent's or guardian's signature must be subscribed and sworn before a notary public or court clerk. Remote online notarization counts in Colorado.

Only one parent signing when both have joint decision-making. If a court order gives both parents shared decision-making, both should sign the form. Otherwise a school or clinic may question whether the delegation is valid.

What Happens When It Expires

The form expires on the end date written into it, or no later than twelve months from the date of the document. There is no automatic renewal. The parent or guardian signs a new JDF 751 and has it notarized again. Each renewal is a standalone document — signing annual POAs does not accumulate into anything resembling guardianship.

When a JDF 751 Is Not Enough

A delegation form requires a parent or legal guardian who is able and willing to sign. If no authorized parent or guardian can sign, the relative cannot use JDF 751. The next step is a court petition: Minor Guardianship (JDF 824, under C.R.S. § 15-14-204) or an Allocation of Parental Responsibilities (C.R.S. § 14-10-123).

The Complete Guide

The Colorado School and Medical Consent guide walks through JDF 751 field by field, explains the institutional refusal escalation process, and includes a delegation renewal tracker so the twelve-month expiration does not sneak up on anyone.

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