House Committee of Reference Report
Committee on Finance
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All text that will be removed from the bill will be indicated by strikethrough as follows:
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This is text that is removed from law. -
Text that is added to a bill will be indicated by either all capitals or bold & italic as follows:
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April 23, 2026
After consideration on the merits, the Committee recommends the following:
HB26-1100 be amended as follows, and as so amended, be referred to the Committee on Appropriations with favorable recommendation:
Page 1, Line 1Amend the Judiciary Committee Report, dated April 1, 2026, page 1,
Page 1, Line 2strike line 5 and substitute "and (10.3) as follows:".
Page 1, Line 3Page 2, lines 7 and 8, strike "protective arrangement or services,".
Page 1, Line 4Page 2, line 16, strike "guardian." and substitute "guardian and that
Page 1, Line 5may be established for a specified period of time to include the
Page 1, Line 6date on which the guardianship expires.".
Page 1, Line 7Page 2, strike lines 36 through 39.
Page 1, Line 8Page 3, line 12, strike "respects" and substitute "prioritizes".
Page 1, Line 9Page 3, strike lines 15 through 20.
Page 1, Line 10Reletter succeeding paragraphs accordingly.
Page 1, Line 11Page 3, line 21, strike "Fully participate, to the extent possible,"
Page 1, Line 12and substitute "Participate".
Page 1, Line 13Page 3, line 29, strike "Fully participate, to the extent possible,"
Page 1, Line 14and substitute "Participate".
Page 1, Line 15Page 3, line 39, strike "lawyer" and substitute "lawyer, or a guardian
Page 1, Line 16ad litem if the court finds a guardian ad litem appropriate,
Page 1, Line 17unless a lawyer is requested by the respondent,".
Page 1, Line 18Page 3, line 40, strike "wants;" and substitute "wants or for the
Page 2, Line 1adult's best interest;".
Page 2, Line 2Page 4, strike lines 4 through 6 and substitute:
Page 2, Line 3"(s) If a question arises about their capacity to exercise a
Page 2, Line 4specific right, have a court review and determine if an
Page 2, Line 5evaluation is necessary to have some or all of their rights
Page 2, Line 6restored;".
Page 2, Line 7Page 4, strike lines 14 and 15 and substitute "adult subject to
Page 2, Line 8guardianship:".
Page 2, Line 9Page 4, after line 29 insert:
Page 2, Line 10"(4) Nothing in this section alters, limits, or affects the
Page 2, Line 11court's authority or the standards and procedures for
Page 2, Line 12appointing a guardian, determining the scope of guardianship
Page 2, Line 13powers, or modifying or terminating a guardianship pursuant to
Page 2, Line 14this article 14. The rights set forth in this section are subject to
Page 2, Line 15any limitations imposed by court order.".
Page 2, Line 16Page 4, strike lines 39 through 43.
Page 2, Line 17Page 5, strike lines 1 through 4 and substitute:
Page 2, Line 18"(I) The respondent is unable to effectively receive or
Page 2, Line 19evaluate information or make or communicate decisions to an
Page 2, Line 20extent that the respondent lacks the ability to satisfy essential
Page 2, Line 21requirements for physical health, safety, or self-care, even with
Page 2, Line 22appropriate and reasonably available technological
Page 2, Line 23assistance; and
Page 2, Line 24(II) The respondent's identified needs cannot be met by less
Page 2, Line 25restrictive means, including appropriate supportive services;
Page 2, Line 26technological assistance; or supported decision-making, as
Page 2, Line 27described in part 8 of this article 14; or".
Page 2, Line 28Page 5, line 6, strike "a protective arrangement or other" and
Page 2, Line 29substitute "a".
Page 2, Line 30Page 5, line 13, strike "guardianship, protective arrangement," and
Page 2, Line 31substitute "guardianship".
Page 2, Line 32Page 5, strike lines 30 through 43.
Page 2, Line 33Page 6, strike lines 1 through 21 and substitute:
Page 2, Line 34"(b) The name and address of the respondent's spouse or
Page 3, Line 1domestic partner, adult children, parents, adult siblings, or any
Page 3, Line 2adult with whom the respondent has shared household
Page 3, Line 3responsibilities for more than six months in the twelve-month
Page 3, Line 4period immediately before the filing of the petition;
Page 3, Line 5(c) The name and address of each of the following, if
Page 3, Line 6applicable:
Page 3, Line 7(I) A person responsible for the care of the respondent;
Page 3, Line 8(II) An attorney currently representing the respondent;
Page 3, Line 9(III) A representative payee;
Page 3, Line 10(IV) A guardian or conservator acting for the
Page 3, Line 11respondent;
Page 3, Line 12(V) An agent designated under a power of attorney for
Page 3, Line 13the health care or finances of the respondent;
Page 3, Line 14(VI) A person nominated as guardian by the respondent;
Page 3, Line 15(VII) A person nominated as guardian by the respondent's
Page 3, Line 16parent or spouse or domestic partner in a will or other signed
Page 3, Line 17record;
Page 3, Line 18(VIII) A proposed guardian and the reason for selecting
Page 3, Line 19the proposed guardian; and
Page 3, Line 20(IX) A member of the respondent's supportive community;".
Page 3, Line 21Page 6, strike lines 25 and 26 and substitute "a limited guardianship or
Page 3, Line 22supported decision-making agreement, as defined in section
Page 3, Line 2315-14-802, instead of full guardianship is not appropriate;".
Page 3, Line 24Page 6, line 28, strike "guardian;" and substitute "guardian and the
Page 3, Line 25date that the guardianship expires;".
Page 3, Line 26Page 7, strike line 2 and substitute "(b) Less restrictive".
Page 3, Line 27Page 7, line 5, strike "protective arrangement or other".
Page 3, Line 28Page 7, line 8, strike "protective arrangement or other".
Page 3, Line 29Page 7, line 28, after "attorney" insert "or guardian ad litem".
Page 3, Line 30Page 7, line 32, after "attorney" insert "or guardian ad litem".
Page 3, Line 31Page 7, line 33, after "attorney" insert "or guardian ad litem".
Page 3, Line 32Page 8, line 1, strike "guardian or ordering a protective
Page 3, Line 33arrangement." and substitute "guardian.".
Page 3, Line 34
Page 4, Line 1Page 8, strike lines 22 through 26 and substitute "appoint a qualified
Page 4, Line 2visitor, as determined by the court.".
Page 4, Line 3Page 9, lines 30 and 31, strike "protective arrangement or other".
Page 4, Line 4Page 9, line 36, strike "guardian;" and substitute "guardian and the
Page 4, Line 5date that the guardianship expires;".
Page 4, Line 6Page 10, line 9, after "attorney" insert "or guardian ad litem".
Page 4, Line 7Page 10, strike lines 10 through 27 and substitute:
Page 4, Line 8"(1) The court shall appoint an attorney or guardian ad
Page 4, Line 9litem to represent the respondent in a proceeding for the
Page 4, Line 10appointment of a guardian for the respondent upon
Page 4, Line 11recommendations from the court visitor, upon request of the
Page 4, Line 12respondent, or at the court's discretion. The court visitor must
Page 4, Line 13make a recommendation in writing on the completed court
Page 4, Line 14visitor report upon the appointment of an attorney or guardian
Page 4, Line 15ad litem for the respondent. If the respondent requests an
Page 4, Line 16attorney, the court must appoint an attorney for the
Page 4, Line 17respondent.
Page 4, Line 18(2) The court may rely on recommendations in the
Page 4, Line 19visitor's report pursuant to section 15-14-303.
Page 4, Line 20(3) If the court determines that the respondent lacks the
Page 4, Line 21capacity to form an attorney-client relationship, the court may
Page 4, Line 22appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the respondent.".
Page 4, Line 23Renumber succeeding subsection accordingly.
Page 4, Line 24Page 10, strike lines 39 through 43.
Page 4, Line 25Page 11, strike line 1 and substitute:
Page 4, Line 26"(1) If, at or before a hearing on a petition for
Page 4, Line 27guardianship for an adult, the court finds that additional
Page 4, Line 28information may assist the court in determining the respondent's
Page 4, Line 29needs and abilities, the court may order no more than one
Page 4, Line 30professional evaluation of the respondent, unless the
Page 4, Line 31respondent requests an additional professional evaluation or
Page 4, Line 32the court finds that an additional evaluation is necessary due
Page 4, Line 33to a material change in the respondent's circumstances or to
Page 4, Line 34resolve a material dispute in the existing evidence.".
Page 4, Line 35Page 11, strike lines 14 through 16 and substitute "limitations. The
Page 5, Line 1individual conducting the evaluation".
Page 5, Line 2Page 11, after line 27 insert:
Page 5, Line 3"(4) The court shall order additional professional
Page 5, Line 4evaluations only upon the findings required in subsection (1) of
Page 5, Line 5this section.".
Page 5, Line 6Page 11, line 28, strike "(4)" and substitute "(5)".
Page 5, Line 7Page 12, line 15, after "attorney" insert "or guardian ad litem".
Page 5, Line 8Page 12, line 16, after "court-appointed attorney" insert "or
Page 5, Line 9guardian ad litem" and before "of" insert "or guardian ad litem".
Page 5, Line 10Page 14, line 24, strike "guardian." and substitute "guardian and the
Page 5, Line 11date that the guardianship expires.".
Page 5, Line 12Page 16, strike lines 20 through 26 and substitute:
Page 5, Line 13"(d) Be notified at least thirty days before a change, if
Page 5, Line 14possible, in the adult's primary dwelling or permanent move to
Page 5, Line 15a nursing facility, mental health institution, or other facility
Page 5, Line 16that places restrictions on the individual's ability to leave or
Page 5, Line 17have visitors, to the extent reasonably feasible, unless the
Page 5, Line 18change or move is proposed by the guardian's plan, pursuant to
Page 5, Line 19section 15-14-316, or authorized by the court by specific order.".
Page 5, Line 20Page 16, line 28, after "objecting;" insert "and".
Page 5, Line 21Page 16, line 36, after "interactions;" insert "or".
Page 5, Line 22Page 16, line 37, strike "or protective arrangement".
Page 5, Line 23Page 16, line 38, strike "person; or" and substitute "person.".
Page 5, Line 24Page 16, strike lines 39 through 43.
Page 5, Line 25Page 17, strike lines 1 through 13.
Page 5, Line 26Page 17, line 27, strike "sixty" and substitute "ninety".
Page 5, Line 27Page 17, line 30, strike "sixty" and substitute "ninety".
Page 5, Line 28Page 17, line 32, strike "continue." and substitute "continue and
Page 6, Line 1unless further extension is authorized by the court upon a
Page 6, Line 2finding of good cause.".
Page 6, Line 3Page 18, strike lines 5 through 11 and substitute "hearing, the court
Page 6, Line 4must hold a hearing on the appropriateness of the".
Page 6, Line 5Page 18, line 12, strike "seven" and substitute "fourteen".
Page 6, Line 6Page 18, strike lines 13 through 15 and substitute "upon request of the
Page 6, Line 7respondent or the respondent's attorney.".
Page 6, Line 8Page 19, line 11, strike "or a protective arrangement".
Page 6, Line 9Page 19, line 24, strike "a quarterly" and substitute "an annual".
Page 6, Line 10Page 22, line 9, strike "days" and substitute "days, if possible,".
Page 6, Line 11Page 22, strike lines 16 through 27 and substitute:
Page 6, Line 12"(6) (a) In exercising the guardian's power pursuant to
Page 6, Line 13subsection (1)(b) of this section to establish the adult's
Page 6, Line 14permanent place of dwelling, if the guardian selects a more
Page 6, Line 15restrictive out-of-home placement, such as a nursing facility,
Page 6, Line 16group home, or other out-of-home placement, the court must
Page 6, Line 17hold a hearing if the adult or the adult's guardian ad litem
Page 6, Line 18objects to the placement. The adult subject to guardianship
Page 6, Line 19must attend the hearing. In order for the guardian to proceed
Page 6, Line 20with placement arrangements for out-of-home placement, the
Page 6, Line 21court must find by clear and convincing evidence that the
Page 6, Line 22placement is necessary for the adult's safety, health, or
Page 6, Line 23welfare and that no less restrictive alternative or in-home
Page 6, Line 24placement would provide the same safeguards for the adult.
Page 6, Line 25(b) This subsection (6) does not apply if the court
Page 6, Line 26authorizes a higher level of care for the adult at the initial
Page 6, Line 27appointment of the guardian and this placement arrangement is
Page 6, Line 28consistent with that initial placement.".
Page 6, Line 29Page 24, line 5, strike "or a protective arrangement".
Page 6, Line 30Page 24, strike lines 10 through 17 and substitute "financial harm to
Page 6, Line 31the adult.".
Page 6, Line 32Page 24, line 22, strike "sixty" and substitute "ninety".
Page 6, Line 33
Page 7, Line 1Page 24, line 41, after "visitation" insert "who has not been
Page 7, Line 2convicted on charges of exploitation or abuse".
Page 7, Line 3Page 25, strike lines 19 through 21 and substitute "(3) An adult
Page 7, Line 4subject to guardianship may object to the plan.".
Page 7, Line 5Page 27, line 37, after "attorney" insert "or guardian ad litem".
Page 7, Line 6Page 29, line 5, strike "attorney," and substitute "attorney or
Page 7, Line 7guardian ad litem pursuant to the same conditions detailed in
Page 7, Line 8section 15-14-305,".
Page 7, Line 9Page 29, line 40, strike "six months;" and substitute "twelve months
Page 7, Line 10unless there is good cause to believe a hearing is necessary
Page 7, Line 11because the facts demonstrate potential risk of significant
Page 7, Line 12physical, psychological, or financial harm to the adult subject
Page 7, Line 13to guardianship.".
Page 7, Line 14Page 33, after line 28 insert:
Page 7, Line 15"SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 13-32-101, add
Page 7, Line 16(1.5) as follows:
Page 7, Line 1713-32-101. Docket fees in civil actions - judicial stabilization
Page 7, Line 18cash fund - justice center cash fund - justice center maintenance fund
Page 7, Line 19- equal justice fee collection - created - report - legislative declaration.
Page 7, Line 20(1.5) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Page 7, Line 21court shall waive any filing fee, docket fee, or court cost
Page 7, Line 22associated with a petition filed by or on behalf of the office of
Page 7, Line 23public guardianship for:
Page 7, Line 24(a) The appointment of a guardian pursuant to title 15;
Page 7, Line 25(b) The appointment of an emergency guardian or
Page 7, Line 26temporary guardian, appointed pursuant to section 15-14-312;or
Page 7, Line 27(c) Any subsequent filing necessary to carry out the
Page 7, Line 28duties of the office of public guardianship in an active
Page 7, Line 29guardianship matter.
Page 7, Line 30SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 13-94-112 as
Page 7, Line 31follows:
Page 7, Line 3213-94-112. Referrals for appointment of public guardian.
Page 7, Line 33(1) The office may accept referrals for the appointment of
Page 7, Line 34a public guardian from any of the following entities when the
Page 7, Line 35referring entity reasonably believes that the individual may
Page 7, Line 36meet the criteria for public guardianship pursuant to article 14
Page 7, Line 37of title 15:
Page 7, Line 38(a) Adult protective services;
Page 8, Line 1(b) The bridges of Colorado program, established
Page 8, Line 2pursuant to section 13-95-103; or
Page 8, Line 3(c) The judicial department or a court of competent
Page 8, Line 4jurisdiction.
Page 8, Line 5(2) A referral described in subsection (1) of this section
Page 8, Line 6may constitute sufficient information for the office to initiate
Page 8, Line 7proceedings for the appointment of a public guardian pursuant
Page 8, Line 8to article 14 of title 15 when:
Page 8, Line 9(a) The individual appears to meet the statutory criteria
Page 8, Line 10for guardianship;
Page 8, Line 11(b) No willing and appropriate family member, friend, or
Page 8, Line 12private guardian is reasonably available to serve; and
Page 8, Line 13(c) The office determines that acceptance of the case is
Page 8, Line 14consistent with its statutory authority and available capacity.
Page 8, Line 15(3) Upon acceptance of a referral, the office may file a
Page 8, Line 16petition for appointment of a guardian pursuant to section
Page 8, Line 1715-14-304 on behalf of the individual who is the subject of the
Page 8, Line 18referral.
Page 8, Line 19(4) A petition filed by the office pursuant to this section
Page 8, Line 20may be filed as an uncontested guardianship matter when the
Page 8, Line 21office has made reasonable efforts to identify and notify
Page 8, Line 22interested persons and no objection has been raised.
Page 8, Line 23(5) Nothing in this section limits the authority of the
Page 8, Line 24court to require additional information or documentation
Page 8, Line 25necessary to determine whether appointment of a guardian is
Page 8, Line 26appropriate pursuant to article 14 of title 15.".
Page 8, Line 27Renumber succeeding sections accordingly.