Colorado Guardianship Annual Report (JDF 834): What to File and When

Once a Colorado court appoints you as guardian of a minor, the paperwork is not finished — it shifts from a one-time filing into an annual obligation. The Colorado Judicial Branch requires guardians of minors to file an Annual Guardian's Report (form JDF 834) once a year. C.R.S. § 15-14-207(2)(e) requires the guardian to report the ward's condition and account for money or assets as ordered by the court or required by court rule, and the consequences of skipping it range from a stern letter from the court to a motion to remove you as guardian.

When the Report Is Due

The annual report is due once a year on the minor's birthday, unless the court order sets a different date. Check your appointment order (JDF 827) for the date assigned.

Missing the deadline does not immediately terminate your guardianship, but it puts you on the court's radar in the wrong way. Some judicial districts send reminder notices; others do not. Mark the date on your calendar and treat it like a tax return.

What JDF 834 Asks For

Form JDF 834 covers the child's well-being across several areas:

• Current residence — the child's address and how long they have lived there
• Physical condition and health — any significant medical events, hospitalizations, or ongoing conditions during the reporting period
• Education — the school the child attends, grade level, and general academic progress
• Activities and development — extracurriculars, social development, any concerns
• Contact with parents — whether the biological parents have had visitation or contact, and how that has gone
• Guardian's assessment — your overall evaluation of the child's adjustment and any needs looking ahead

JDF 834's financial section is completed only if there is no conservatorship and the guardian has custody of funds. If the court also appointed a conservator, separate financial reporting rules apply.

Who Gets a Copy

You file the original with the court clerk in the county where your guardianship case is open. You must also serve a copy on:

• The minor, if they are 12 years old or older
• Each parent named in the appointment order
• Any other person the court specified in the original order

Complete the Certificate of Service on JDF 834 with the names, addresses, and delivery methods for the parties listed in the guardianship order, and file it with the court.

What Happens If You Do Not File

The court has broad discretion. Possible consequences include:

• A written notice demanding compliance within a set number of days
• A show-cause hearing where you must explain the delay to a judge
• In serious or repeated cases, a motion (by the court, a parent, or another interested party) to modify or terminate the guardianship

Filing a late report is always better than not filing at all. If you are behind, complete JDF 834 as accurately as you can, file it, and include a brief cover letter explaining the delay.

Tips for Keeping the Report Straightforward

• Keep a running file throughout the year: medical visit summaries, report cards, notes about parent visits. When the due date arrives, you have everything in one place instead of scrambling
• Be honest — the report is not graded. The court wants to know the child is safe and progressing, not that everything is perfect
• Note any changes you anticipate in the coming year (a school change, a planned move, a parent requesting more contact) so the court is not surprised

The Colorado Guardianship and Custody Court Process Guide includes a post-order compliance calendar and walks through every annual reporting requirement so you stay ahead of deadlines from the day your guardianship is granted.

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