PO Box 1238, Crestone, CO 81131 | informedfinalchoices@gmail.com
The process of dying is frequently accompanied by a loss-of-control over life events. If it is important to you to have such control as is possible over the events that occur before, at, and following your death, then it is important that you become informed about the tools available to plan for and shape those events.
State laws across the country are beginning to give more and more attention to the right of an individual to exercise control over the end-of-life process. If you are going to influence this process, it is necessary that you take responsibility for becoming educated about your rights and the tools available to exercise those rights.
Here you will find information that will help you to:
- Understand your rights
- Discover the kinds of documents by which these rights are exercised
- Get assistance with the preparation of such documents
- Understand how to use these documents
- Understand the importance of selecting one or more advocates to champion your rights via these documents
Advance Directives
Advance directives are legal documents that allow you to convey your wishes about end-of-life care ahead of time. It is impossible to overstate the importance of such documents in ensuring that your wishes for end-of-life care be fulfilled. Without them, decisions concerning your care will be made by family members or, as is often the case, by medical workers who may order every possible procedure to avoid the risk of being sued.
The documents cover such issues as resuscitation, dialysis and breathing machines, feeding tubes, and organ donation.
Advance Directive documents: FREE downloads for the State of Colorado are available here.
Downloadable versions of the advance directives for every state in the U.S are available here.
5 Wishes Document
Five Wishes by Aging With Dignity has become America’s most popular living will because it is written in everyday language and helps start and structure important conversations about care in times of serious illness. Five Wishes meets the legal requirements in 42 states (including Colorado) and is useful in all 50 states.
Use the Five Wishes for to let your family and doctors know:
- Who you want to make health care decisions for you when you can’t make them.
- The kind of medical treatment you want or don’t want.
- How comfortable you want to be.
- How you want people to treat you.
- What you want your loved ones to know.
Hard copies are available for $5.00 from the Aging With Dignity website.
Colorado Statutory Durable Power of Attorney Form (PDF)
This link opens a free PDF of the Colorado Durable Power of Attorney (POA) form hosted by eForms:
Download the Colorado Durable Power of Attorney Form (PDF)
What it’s for:
This legally recognized document empowers you to designate an agent to manage your financial, legal, and property matters if you become unable to make decisions yourself.
Key Features:
- No credit card or subscription required—this PDF is immediately downloadable and free
- Follows Colorado’s statutory legal standards for POAs
- Covers grants of authority for banking, investments, real estate, taxes, and more
- Must be signed and notarized to be legally valid
💡 Tip: Once completed, provide certified copies to your agent, attorney, and relevant institutions (banks, investment accounts, etc.).
Colorado Advance Directive – “Prepare for Your Care” (English PDF)
This link leads to a free, fillable advance directive form provided by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus:
Download the Colorado Advance Directive – English (PDF)
What it’s for:
This comprehensive document allows Colorado residents to:
- Appoint a medical decision-maker
- Specify health care preferences
- Guide loved ones and providers if you become unable to speak for yourself
Key Features:
- Free to access and download
- No account, credit card, or trial required
- Easy-to-read format designed to support thoughtful end-of-life conversations
- Legally recognized in Colorado when properly completed
💬 Tip: Share copies with your health care agent, physician, and loved ones after completing.
Colorado MOST Form (2015) – Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment
This link provides direct access to the Colorado MOST form, hosted by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus:
Download the Colorado MOST Form (PDF)
What it’s for:
The MOST (Medical Orders for Scope of Treatment) form is a medical document used to record a seriously ill person’s treatment preferences, including CPR, medical interventions, and artificial nutrition.
Key Features:
- Free to download — no login, credit card, or personal info required
- Designed to be completed in consultation with a healthcare provider
- Becomes a set of signed medical orders that guide emergency and long-term care
- Intended for individuals with advanced illness or frailty, but available to anyone planning their care
📝 Important: This is a clinical form that must be signed by both the patient (or authorized decision-maker) and a health care professional to be valid.
Psychiatric Advance Directive (PDF)
This link provides direct access to a free, fillable PDF form hosted by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus:
Download the Psychiatric Advance Directive Form
What it’s for:
This document allows individuals to clearly state their preferences for future mental health treatment in the event that they are unable to make decisions during a psychiatric crisis.
Key Features:
- No login, credit card, or personal information required to access or download
- Includes spaces to designate preferred treatments, medications, facilities, and health care agents
- Supports your right to self-direct mental health care during periods of incapacity
💡 Tip: Consider completing this form alongside your general advance directives to create a more complete end-of-life or crisis plan.