Directive Relating to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

C.R.S. tit. 15, art. 18.6

in effect

C.R.S. § 15-18.6-101 Definitions

15-18.6-101. Definitions. As used in this article 18.6, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Cardiopulmonary resuscitation" or "CPR" means measures to restore cardiac function or to support breathing in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest or malfunction. "CPR" includes, but is not limited to, chest compression, delivering electric shock to the chest, or placing tubes in the airway to assist breathing. (2) "CPR directive" means an advance medical directive pertaining to the administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. (3) "Emergency medical service personnel" means an emergency medical service provider at any level who is certified or licensed by the department of public health and environment. "Emergency medical service personnel" includes an emergency medical responder registered by the department of public health and environment in accordance with section 25-3.5-1103.

C.R.S. § 15-18.6-102 CPR directives for CPR - who may execute

15-18.6-102. CPR directives for CPR - who may execute. Any adult over age eighteen who has the decisional capacity to provide informed consent to or refusal of medical treatment or any other person who is, pursuant to the laws of this state or any other state, authorized to make medical treatment decisions on behalf of an adult who lacks such decisional capacity, may execute a CPR directive. After a physician issues a "do not resuscitate" order for a minor child, and only then, may the parents of the minor, if married and living together, the custodial parent or parent with decision-making responsibility for such a decision, or the legal guardian execute a CPR directive.

C.R.S. § 15-18.6-103 CPR directive forms - duties of state board of health

15-18.6-103. CPR directive forms - duties of state board of health. (1) On or before January 1, 1993, the state board of health shall promulgate rules and protocols for the implementation of CPR directives by emergency medical service personnel. The protocols adopted by the board of health shall include uniform methods of identifying persons who have executed a CPR directive. Protocols adopted by the board of health shall include methods for rapid identification of persons who have executed a CPR directive, controlled distribution of the methods of identifying persons who have executed a CPR directive, and the information described in subsection (2) of this section. Nothing in this subsection (1) shall be construed to restrict any other manner in which a person may make a CPR directive. (2) CPR directive protocols to be adopted by the state board shall require the following information concerning the person who is the subject of the CPR directive: (a) The person's name, date of birth, and sex; (b) The person's eye and hair color; (c) The person's race or ethnic background; (d) If applicable, the name of a hospice program in which the person is enrolled; (e) The name, address, and telephone number of the person's attending physician; (f) The person's signature or mark or, if applicable, the signature of a person authorized by this article to execute a CPR directive; (g) The date on which the CPR directive form was signed; (h) The person's directive concerning the administration of CPR, countersigned by the person's attending physician; (i) The person's directive in the form of a document with a written statement as provided in section 15-19-205 (b), or a statement in substantially similar form, indicating a decision regarding tissue donation. The document shall be executed in accordance with the provisions of the "Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act", part 2 of article 19 of this title 15. The written statement may be in the following form: I hereby make an anatomical gift, to be effective upon my death, of: A.___ Any needed tissues B.___ The following tissues: ___ Skin ___ Cornea ___ Bone, related tissues, and tendons Donor signature: _______________________________

C.R.S. § 15-18.6-104 Duty to comply with CPR directive - immunity - effect on criminal charges against another person

15-18.6-104. Duty to comply with CPR directive - immunity - effect on criminal charges against another person. (1) Emergency medical service personnel, health-care providers, and health-care facilities shall comply with a person's CPR directive that is apparent and immediately available. Any emergency medical service personnel, health-care provider, health-care facility, or any other person who, in good faith, complies with a CPR directive shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability or regulatory sanction for such compliance. (2) Compliance by emergency medical service personnel, health-care providers, or health-care facilities with a CPR directive shall not affect the criminal prosecution of any person otherwise charged with the commission of a criminal act. (3) In the absence of a CPR directive, a person's consent to CPR shall be presumed.

C.R.S. § 15-18.6-105 Effect of declaration after inpatient admission

15-18.6-105. Effect of declaration after inpatient admission. A CPR directive for any person who is admitted to a health-care facility shall be implemented as a physician's order concerning resuscitation as directed by the person in the CPR directive, pending further physicians' orders.

C.R.S. § 15-18.6-106 Effect of CPR directive - absence - on life or health insurance

15-18.6-106. Effect of CPR directive - absence - on life or health insurance. Neither a CPR directive nor the failure of a person to execute one shall affect, impair, or modify any contract of life or health insurance or annuity or be the basis for any delay in issuing or refusing to issue an annuity or policy of life or health insurance or any increase of a premium therefor.

C.R.S. § 15-18.6-107 Revocation of CPR directive

15-18.6-107. Revocation of CPR directive. A CPR directive may be revoked at any time by a person who is the subject of such directive or by the agent or proxy decision-maker for such person. However, only those CPR directives executed originally by a guardian, agent, or proxy decision-maker may be revoked by a guardian, agent, or proxy decision-maker.

C.R.S. § 15-18.6-108 Effect of article on euthanasia - mercy killing - construction of statute

15-18.6-108. Effect of article on euthanasia - mercy killing - construction of statute. Nothing in this article shall be construed as condoning, authorizing, or approving euthanasia or mercy killing. In addition, the general assembly does not intend that this article be construed as permitting any affirmative or deliberate act to end a person's life, except to permit natural death as provided by this article.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-15.docxFetched: 10/6/2026