Colorado Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR) Form

Updated: Oct 31, 2026

This DNR form covers one decision: no CPR if your heart or breathing stops. The form says the directive does not apply to other medical interventions for comfort care. A Colorado living will is a separate document for other treatment wishes.

Laws and Requirements

Any adult over age eighteen who has decisional capacity to give or refuse informed consent to medical treatment may make a Colorado CPR directive. An authorized agent may act for an adult who lacks that capacity.^[2.1] The person making the directive signs first, and the attending physician then signs and dates the form.^[1.1]

Emergency medical service personnel, health care providers and health care facilities must comply with a person's CPR directive that is apparent and immediately available.^[2.3]

Eligibility for a CPR Directive

Here are the exact words on who may make a directive:

Any adult over age eighteen who has the decisional capacity to provide informed consent to or refusal of medical treatment

If an adult lacks that ability, an authorized agent acting for that adult may make the directive instead.^[2.1]

Signatures on the Directive

The declarant, the person making the directive, signs first. Colorado's CPR Directives rule then has the attending physician sign and date the form:

The attending physician shall execute the CPR directive by signing and dating the form after a signature is obtained from the declarant.

In order, that means:

1. The declarant signs the form.
2. The attending physician signs and dates the form.^[1.1]

If There Is No Directive

Without a CPR directive, Colorado law presumes that a person consents to CPR.^[2.2] Many people who do not want CPR complete a directive for this reason.

Revoking a CPR Directive

A CPR directive may be revoked at any time. The state's rule lists two ways:

• Physically cancel or destroy the CPR directive, and the bracelet or necklace if one is used. The declarant can do this, or another person acting at the declarant's direction.
• The declarant states orally that the directive is revoked.^[1.2]

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How to Fill Out the Colorado DNR Form

The Colorado DNR form is a one-page form with five parts: patient information, the attending physician, the directive date and box, signatures, and an optional anatomical gift. You can download the form and fill it in by hand, or build it online with the button above. Complete the parts in order.

Step 1: Patient Information

Start at the top of the form. Print the patient's name, then fill in the other patient details:

• Full name
  
• Name of the agent, legally authorized guardian or parent of a minor child, if one is acting for the patient

• Date of birth, gender, eye color and hair color
  
• Race or ethnicity, checking the box that applies
  
• Name of the hospice program, if the patient is in one
  

Step 2: Attending Physician

Enter the details of the attending physician, the doctor who will sign the form:

• The physician’s name
  
• The physician’s current address
  
• Their telephone and license number
  

Step 3: Directive Date and "Check Only One"

Write the date the directive is made, then check the one box that fits:

• Write the directive date as month, day and year
  
• Check only one box: Patient, or Authorized Agent, legally authorized guardian or parent of minor child, whichever applies
  

Step 4: Signatures

On the first signature line, check the Patient box or the Authorized Agent box that applies, and sign. The attending physician then signs on the second line.

Make sure every part is filled out correctly before anyone signs.

Step 5: Anatomical Gift (Optional)

This part is optional. To make an anatomical gift effective on your death, check "Any needed tissues" or "The following tissues," then check Skin, Cornea, or Bone, related tissues and tendons. Sign on the Donor Signature line. Leave the part blank if you do not want to make a gift.

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers come from the sources listed under Sources at the end of this page. They are general information, so ask your physician or a lawyer about your own situation and check the current text before you sign anything.

What Is Required for a DNR Order in Colorado?

Any adult over age eighteen who has the decisional capacity to provide informed consent to or refusal of medical treatment may make a CPR directive. An authorized agent may act for an adult who lacks that capacity.^[2.1] In the absence of a CPR directive, a person's consent to CPR is presumed.^[2.2]

General information, not legal or tax advice.

Sources

1. 6 CCR 1015-2, CPR Directives rule 4.1(b) 6 CCR 1015-2, CPR Directives rule 4.1(b), 6 Colo. Code Regs. 1015-2, 3.5.
   • 1.1 6 CCR 1015-2, CPR Directives rule 4.1(b)
   • 1.2 6 Colo. Code Regs. 1015-2, 3.5
2. Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 15-18.6-102 to 15-18.6-104.
   • 2.1 § 15-18.6-102
   • 2.2 § 15-18.6-104
   • 2.3 § 15-18.6-104(1)

Mara Erlach

Writer & Attorney

Mara has been practicing estate planning and trust law in California since 2003, taking pride in helping clients of all backgrounds and asset profiles form a complete and customized estate plan. Her specialties are: estate planning, wills and trusts, trust and probate administration.