• Interactive Decision Making Tool

    When a person with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (IDD) turns 18, they become an adult and have the right to make their own decisions. Everyone needs different types of support. This tool will help you explore options that may be a good fit.

  • Colorado Focus: This tool includes Colorado laws, forms, and resources. If you live in another state, the rules may be different. Explore The Arc of the United States' Decision Making Supports resource.

  • Answer the questions below to explore options. 

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     ⬇️QUESTIONS⬇️

  • Financial

  • Does your loved one need help managing money, paying bills, budgeting, or managing assets?

  • Medical

  • Does your loved one need help understanding medical information, making appointments, or communicating with healthcare providers?

  • Legal and System Navigation

  • Does your loved one need help understanding or signing legal documents? Or communicating with schools, service providers, benefits programs, government agencies, etc?

  • Everyday Decision Making

  • Does your loved one need help making everyday decisions, planning their day, or communicating their wants, needs, and preferences to others?

  • Before You Explore Your Options

  • Sometimes families just need to communicate with a doctor, school, service provider, or other organization about their loved one. The person with IDD may not need someone else to make decisions for them. A Release of Information (ROI) may allow the organization to share information with a parent or supporter. Ask the organization if an ROI is available.

  • Now what you came here for!

  • Based on your answers, the options below may be worth exploring. You may use one option or a combination of options, and needs can change over time.

    What do the colors mean?

    🟢Least Restrictive: The person with IDD gets support but makes the final decisions.

    🔵Some Restrictions: The person with IDD may make some decisions, while someone else makes others.

    🟣More Restrictions: Someone else may have significant control over certain decisions.

    🔴Most Restrictive: Someone else may have significant control over important personal decisions, such as where the person lives, their healthcare, or other major life decisions.

    The colors are a general guide. The amount of control another person has can vary depending on the option and how it is set up.

    If no options appear, your answers suggest your loved one may not need decision-making supports at this time.

     ⬇️Your Options⬇️

  • Supported Decision-Making (SDM)

    🟢 Least Restrictive 🟢 

    This option may be relevant because: You indicated that your loved one may benefit from support with everyday decision-making. Supported Decision-Making can be used for everyday decisions, medical care, finances, housing, employment, services and supports, and many other areas of life.

    Supported Decision-Making (SDM) allows a person with a disability to choose trusted supporters who can help them understand information, consider options, and communicate their choices. The person with a disability makes their own decisions. In Colorado, SDM agreements are voluntary and must be in writing. This could be an alternative to Guardianship.

    Click here to learn more and download an agreement.

    💡 Things to Consider: The person with IDD chooses who supports them and can change their supporters if needed.

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  • Authorized Representative (AR)

    🟢 Least Restrictive 🟢

    This option may be relevant because: You indicated that your loved one needs support communicating and understanding information. This could be an alternative to Guardianship.

    An Authorized Representative (AR) can help a person communicate with providers, complete paperwork, and navigate services. The person with the disability chooses what the AR can help with. The person usually designates an AR through their service provider or Case Management Agency (CMA) and can change their AR at any time.

    To become an AR in Colorado, contact the business or organization for their process and paperwork.

    💡 Things to Consider: Many families think they need an AR to talk to a doctor, but a Release of Information (ROI) may be enough. An ROI may allow a doctor or other organization to share information without giving someone else decision-making authority.

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  • Medical Proxy (Healthcare Agent)

    🔵 Some Restrictions 🔵

    This option may be relevant because: You indicated that your loved one may need support understanding medical information or communicating with healthcare providers. This could be an alternative to Guardianship.

    A Medical Proxy (Healthcare Agent) can make healthcare decisions for someone who cannot make those decisions themselves. Their authority is limited to healthcare.

    To become a Medical Proxy in Colorado, the person must appoint an agent in writing. Download the form here.

    💡 Things to Consider: Many families think they need Guardianship to help with healthcare, but a Medical Proxy may provide the needed support without going to court or limiting the person's rights.

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  • Representative Payee

    🔵 Some Restrictions 🔵

    This option may be relevant because: You indicated that your loved one needs support managing money.

    A Representative Payee manages Social Security benefits for someone who needs help managing their money. They can only manage Social Security benefits, not other money or property.

    To become a Representative Payee, contact your local Social Security office. Learn more about Representative Payees.

    💡 Things to Consider: A Representative Payee does not have control over the person's other money, property, or assets.

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  • Power of Attorney (POA)

    🟣 More Restrictions 🟣

    This option may be relevant because: You indicated that your loved one may need support with financial, medical, and/or legal decisions. A Power of Attorney (POA) may be an alternative to Guardianship.

    A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document that allows someone to make decisions for another person. A POA can cover medical, financial, or legal matters. The person can choose how much authority to give and what areas the POA covers.

    Forms are available through the Colorado Bar Association.

    💡 Things to Consider: A POA can give another person a lot of authority, depending on how it is written. Choose someone you trust and consider limiting the POA to only the areas where support is needed. Many families think they need Guardianship for financial, medical, or legal matters, but a POA may provide the needed support without going to court or limiting the person's rights.

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  • Conservator 

    🟣 More Restictions 🟣

    This option may be relevant because: You indicated that your loved one needs support managing finances, property, or assets.

    A Conservator is appointed by a court to manage the finances and property of someone who cannot manage them on their own. 

    To become a Conservator in Colorado, you must file a petition with the court, and attend a court hearing. Learn more about Conservatorship in Colorado.

    💡 Things to Consider: A Conservator has access to the person's money, property, and assets, so it is important to choose someone you trust. A Representative Payee or Financial POA may provide the needed support without a Conservatorship.

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  •  Guardianship

    🔴 Most Restrictive 🔴

    While Guardianship may be an option, it's important to explore the other options above before choosing Guardianship. Guardianship is the most restrictive option and should be considered last because it can limit how much control a person has over decisions in their own life and can impact their civil rights.

    This option may be relevant because: You indicated that your loved one may need significant support making personal or other important life decisions.

    A Guardian is appointed by a judge to make personal and healthcare decisions for someone who cannot make those decisions on their own. The court determines how much decision-making authority the Guardian has. Guardians may be family members, friends, or professional organizations.

    To become a Guardian in Colorado, you must file a petition with the court, attend a court hearing, file annual Guardianship Reports, and pay any required court and filing fees. Learn more about Guardianship in Colorado.

    💡 Things to Consider: Before pursuing Guardianship, consider whether another option above could provide the needed support while keeping the person involved in decisions about their life.

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  • Disclaimer: This resource was created using information available in 2026. Some laws, policies, or resources may change. Please check for the most current information before making decisions.

    Educational Use: Created by THINK+change, a program of The Arc of Aurora. This tool is for educational purposes only and is not legal, medical, or professional advice. For a PDF of these decision making options, visit this link.

     

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