Legislative Coun
cil Staff
● Room 0
29 State Capitol
● Denv
er, CO 802
03
● 303-
866-
3521 ● [email protected]s
● leg.colorado.go
v/lcs
Minors Living Apart From Their Parents
Minors aged 15 or older who are living apart from
their parents and managing their own financial
affairs, regardless of the source of their income, may
consent to their own medical care of any kind, as well
as to donation of their organs and tissue.
Additionally, minors who are married may consent
to their own medical care and organ and tissue
donation without parental consent. Minors who are
parents may also consent to any medical care, as well
as donation of organs or tissue for their child.
Minors Receiving Pregnancy-Related Care,
Contraceptive Care, and Abortion
Procedures
Minors who are pregnant may consent to pregnancy-
related care.
Minors may obtain contraceptive
information, procedures, and supplies if they request
them and are in need of such services or when they
have been referred for these services by another
doctor, member of the clergy, family planning clinic,
school, or agency of the state.
Unmarried minors
under the age of 18 may not consent to permanent
sterilization procedures without a parent or
guardian’s consent.
Parents or guardians of a minor
must be notified of a minor’s scheduled abortion at
least 48 hours in advance of the procedure, but their
consent is not required for the procedure to take
place.
Minors Who Are Victims of a Sexual
Offense
When a minor indicates that she or he has been the
victim of a sexual offense, the minor may consent to
a provider performing the necessary examinations to
obtain evidence of the offense, and to receive
treatment for any condition caused by the sexual
offense. However, the provider is directed by state
law to make a reasonable effort to notify the parents
or guardians of the minor in such circumstances of
Section 13-22-103 (1), C.R.S.
Sections 13-22-103 (3) and 13-22-103.5, C.R.S.
Sections 13-22-105 and 25-6-102, C.R.S.
Section 25-6-102 (6), C.R.S.
Section 13-22-704, C.R.S.
the sexual offense, prior to examining or treating the
minor. If the provider is not able to notify the parents
or guardians, she or he may still examine and treat
the minor. If the parents or guardians object to
treatment, the provider may proceed under the
provision of the Child Protection Act of 1987.
Minors Receiving Care for Sexually
Transmitted Infections
Parental consent is not required for a minor seeking
diagnosis or treatment of a sexually transmitted
infection. Providers may also discuss preventative
measures, where applicable. Providers may choose
to involve a parent or guardian if the minor seeking
diagnosis or care is 13 years old or younger. Whether
or not the provider chooses to involve the parent, he
or she must counsel the minor patient on the
importance of involving the parent in the
diagnosis or treatment.
Minors Receiving Care for Substance Use
Disorder Treatment and Mental Health
Services
Under state law, minors may consent to receive
medical treatment for a substance use disorder
without the consent or notification of a parent or
guardian.
In regard to mental health services, a
mental health professional may provide outpatient
psychotherapy services to a minor who is aged 12 or
older if he or she is voluntarily seeking such services
and provision of such services is clinically indicated.
The consent of the parent or guardian is not required
unless the provider believes the minor is unable to
manage his or her care, but the provider should
discuss and encourage notifying the minor’s parent
or guardian. Notification of a parent or guardian
may occur with the minor’s consent and if
determined not to be detrimental to treatment. If the
minor communicates an intent to commit suicide, the
provider shall notify the parent or guardian.
Sections 13-22-106 and 19-3-301, et seq., C.R.S.
Section 13-22-102, C.R.S.