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Colorado · Free guide

Your 18-year-old is legally a stranger to you.
Fix it before drop-off.

The day your teen turns 18, hospitals, banks, and their school can legally shut you out — even in an emergency. The fix is four short documents. Below is exactly what each one does, what Colorado requires, and a ready-to-fill template for each. No $150 form bundle required.

The 4 documents Colorado requirements Step by step Templates to fill How to fill & notarize FERPA & Mines

The four-document bundle

Once they're a legal adult, access doesn't transfer automatically — they have to grant it. Each document covers a different gap.

1

Medical Durable Power of Attorney

Lets you make medical decisions for them if they're incapacitated and can't speak for themselves — a car accident, surgery, a coma. This is the one that matters most in an emergency.

CRS §15-14-506
2

HIPAA Authorization

Lets doctors, clinics, and the campus health center actually talk to you and share their records — even when they're conscious. Without it, they can refuse to confirm they're even a patient.

45 CFR §164.508
3

Financial Durable Power of Attorney

Lets you handle money and paperwork on their behalf — bank issues, tuition and bursar accounts, a lease, taxes, an insurance claim, or a car registration if they can't.

CRS §15-14-701+
4

FERPA Release

Lets Colorado School of Mines share their education records — grades, bills, enrollment status — with you. This one comes from the school, not from a form vendor. (See below.)

34 CFR Part 99
Who signs? Your young adult does. They are the adult granting you authority — your signature does not appear on the POAs. You'll want them to sign while they're clearly competent and willing, ideally before they leave for Golden.

What Colorado requires

Signing and witnessing rules differ by document. Here's the short version.

DocumentMust be signed byWitnessesNotary
Medical Durable POA The young adult (the principal), 18+ Not required by statute Not required — but strongly recommended so hospitals accept it without question
HIPAA Authorization The young adult Not required Not required
Financial Durable POA The young adult Not required by statute Yes — acknowledge before a notary. Banks routinely demand it (CRS §15-14-705)
FERPA Release The young adult (via the school's form / student portal) Per school policy Not required
One practical rule: notarize both POAs even where it isn't strictly required. A notarized document gets accepted on the spot; an un-notarized one gets a front-desk worker calling their legal department while you wait. Most UPS Stores, banks, and Mines' own campus services have a notary.

Step by step

Plan an hour. Do it together at the kitchen table before move-in week.

  1. Fill in the four templates below

    Replace every highlighted blank with their real details — full legal name, date of birth, your name and phone, and your scope choices. Print two copies of each so they keep one and you keep one.

  2. Gather a notary and (optionally) one or two adult witnesses

    The witnesses should not be you or anyone named in the documents. A notary at a bank or UPS Store works; bring unexpired photo ID for the young adult.

  3. Have the young adult sign in front of the notary

    They sign each document; the notary completes the acknowledgment block on the two POAs. Don't sign anything ahead of time — the notary must watch them sign.

  4. Make copies and store them where they're reachable

    Give a copy to their primary doctor and the campus health center. Keep a photo of each on both your phones — an ER will accept a clear photo or PDF in a pinch.

  5. Do the FERPA release directly with Mines

    This one isn't a downloadable template — they grant it through the school. See the FERPA & Mines section below.

Templates to fill

Type their details once below — every blank in all three documents fills in automatically. Your entries save in this browser only. Then hit Print to get a clean packet.

Prepare your documents

Enter the details once — all three forms fill in automatically. Saved on this device only; nothing is sent anywhere.

1 The student (principal)
2 Primary agents — both parents act as co-agents on both POAs
3 Backup agents — siblings used only if neither parent can serve
Separate multiple siblings with semicolons. Also listed as backup agents on both POAs and as recipients on the HIPAA form.
4 Health records (HIPAA)
5 Power-of-attorney options
Auto-saved to this browser

In the print dialog, choose “Save as PDF” (or “Microsoft Print to PDF”) as the destination to keep a file you can email, store, or print later.

Want the state’s official wording too? Colorado publishes an optional statutory financial POA form (C.R.S. § 15-14-741), and free medical forms through the Colorado Advance Directives Consortium and CDPHE. The templates here track that language — cross-check them against the official forms to be sure you’ve covered everything, especially the financial-POA “hot powers” below.
1 · Colorado Medical Durable Power of Attorney

MEDICAL DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY

(Colorado — appointment of agent for health-care decisions, C.R.S. § 15-14-506)

I, [YOUNG ADULT'S FULL LEGAL NAME], of [THEIR ADDRESS], born [DATE OF BIRTH], being an adult of sound mind, intend to create a medical durable power of attorney by this document.

1. Primary agents — both parents, acting together (co-agents)

I appoint the following persons as my primary agents to make health-care decisions for me:

(a) [AGENT 1 — FULL NAME], my [AGENT 1 RELATIONSHIP]
Phone [AGENT 1 PHONE]  ·  [AGENT 1 ADDRESS]
(b) [AGENT 2 — FULL NAME], my [AGENT 2 RELATIONSHIP]
Phone [AGENT 2 PHONE]  ·  [AGENT 2 ADDRESS]

My co-agents are authorized to act [CO-AGENTS ACT: independently or jointly]. In any medical emergency in which only one co-agent is reasonably available, that co-agent may act alone.

Backup agents (successors) — only if neither parent can serve

These persons are backup agents. They act only if both of my primary agents above are unable or unwilling to serve, in the order listed: [SUCCESSOR AGENTS — e.g. siblings: name, relationship, phone].

2. Authority

My agent is authorized to make any and all health-care decisions for me that I could make myself, including consenting to, refusing, or withdrawing medical treatment, selecting and discharging providers, and accessing my medical records, but only when I am unable to make or communicate my own health-care decisions as determined by my attending physician.

3. Limitations (optional)

[Write any limits here, or "None."]

4. Effect & durability

This power of attorney is durable and is not affected by my later incapacity. It takes effect upon a determination that I lack decisional capacity and continues until I regain it or revoke this document. I may revoke it at any time in any manner that communicates my intent to revoke.

Signed:     Date:  
Printed name:  

Notary acknowledgment (recommended)

State of Colorado, County of  . Subscribed and sworn before me on   by the person named above.

Notary signature:     My commission expires:  
2 · HIPAA Authorization to Release Health Information

AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE OF PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION

(HIPAA — 45 C.F.R. § 164.508)

I, [YOUNG ADULT'S FULL LEGAL NAME], DOB [DATE OF BIRTH], authorize my health-care providers to use and disclose my protected health information as described below.

1. Who may disclose

Any physician, hospital, clinic, pharmacy, mental-health provider, or campus health/counseling service that has treated me, including [name campus health center / specific providers, or "all of my providers"].

2. Who may receive the information

Each of the following persons, any of whom may receive my information individually:

(a) [AGENT 1 — FULL NAME] (my [AGENT 1 RELATIONSHIP]), phone [AGENT 1 PHONE];
(b) [AGENT 2 — FULL NAME] (my [AGENT 2 RELATIONSHIP]), phone [AGENT 2 PHONE].
Additionally, the backup agents named in my powers of attorney (e.g. my siblings) may receive my information: [SUCCESSOR AGENTS — e.g. siblings: name, relationship, phone].

3. What may be disclosed

My complete medical record and any health information relating to my care, including diagnosis, treatment, test results, and billing — except the following, which I exclude: [list exclusions such as mental health, substance use, or reproductive health, or write "None."]

4. Purpose

To allow the person named above to be informed of and assist with my medical care. (Purpose: "at my request.")

5. Expiration

This authorization expires on [DATE, e.g. graduation, or "three years from signing"] unless I revoke it sooner in writing. I understand I may revoke it at any time except to the extent action has already been taken in reliance on it.

Signed:     Date:  
Printed name:  
3 · Colorado Financial Durable Power of Attorney

DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY (FINANCIAL)

(Colorado Uniform Power of Attorney Act — C.R.S. § 15-14-701 et seq.)

I, [YOUNG ADULT'S FULL LEGAL NAME], of [THEIR ADDRESS], DOB [DATE OF BIRTH], appoint the agent named below to act for me in financial and legal matters.

1. Primary agents — both parents, acting together (co-agents)

I appoint as my primary agents:

(a) [AGENT 1 — FULL NAME], my [AGENT 1 RELATIONSHIP]
Phone [AGENT 1 PHONE]  ·  [AGENT 1 ADDRESS]
(b) [AGENT 2 — FULL NAME], my [AGENT 2 RELATIONSHIP]
Phone [AGENT 2 PHONE]  ·  [AGENT 2 ADDRESS]

My co-agents may act [CO-AGENTS ACT: independently or jointly].

Backup agents (successors) — only if neither parent can serve

These persons are backup agents. They act only if both of my primary agents above are unable or unwilling to serve, in the order listed: [SUCCESSOR AGENTS — e.g. siblings: name, relationship, phone].

2. Grant of authority

I grant my agent authority over the following subjects (initial each that applies, or write "all of the above"):

Banking and financial accounts  ·  Tuition, bursar & school accounts  ·  Real property / leases  ·  Insurance claims  ·  Taxes  ·  Motor vehicles  ·  Personal and family maintenance

3. Specific (“hot”) powers — grant only if you intend them

Under C.R.S. § 15-14-741, the following powers must be granted expressly. Initial each one you wish to grant; leave blank to withhold it:

Make gifts  ·  Create or change rights of survivorship  ·  Create or change beneficiary designations  ·  Delegate authority under this power  ·  Create, amend, or revoke a trust

4. Effective date & durability

This power of attorney is durable — it is not terminated by my later incapacity. It is effective [choose: "immediately" OR "only upon my incapacity as certified in writing by a physician"].

5. Limitations

[Any limits, or "None."]

Signed:     Date:  
Printed name:  

Notary acknowledgment (required for acceptance)

State of Colorado, County of  . Acknowledged before me on   by  .

Notary signature:     Commission expires:  
Tip: Bring all three to the notary in one visit. The notary only needs to notarize the two POAs; the HIPAA authorization doesn't require it but it's fine to include in the same packet.

How to fill it out & where to notarize

The actual sit-down. Roughly an hour start to finish, most of it the notary visit.

Filling the forms

  1. Gather their details before you start

    Full legal name (as it appears on their ID), date of birth, their Golden address, your full name, relationship, phone, and address. Have their unexpired photo ID on hand — the notary will check it.

  2. Open each template and replace every highlighted blank

    On the page, the parts you fill are shown in blue. Don't leave any blank empty — if something doesn't apply, write "None" or "N/A" so no one can add to it later.

  3. Make the scope choices that need a decision

    Both POAs: name both parents as co-agents, choose whether they act independently or jointly, and list siblings as successor agents. Medical POA: add any treatment limits. HIPAA: decide whether to carve out mental-health, substance-use, or reproductive records, and set an expiration. Financial POA: initial the subjects you want covered, separately initial any "hot powers," and pick "effective immediately" vs. "only upon incapacity."

  4. Print two copies of each — and do NOT sign yet

    Signatures on the two POAs must happen in front of the notary, or they won't be valid. Print, then bring everything unsigned to the notary appointment.

  5. At the table: they sign, notary stamps, you copy

    They sign each document; the notary watches and completes the acknowledgment block on the two POAs. Then photograph each signed page and save a PDF on both phones.

Where to get notarized in Colorado

Fees vary by location (see the estimates below). Bring their photo ID — the notary will not notarize without it.

OptionTypical costGood when
Your bank or credit union Usually free for account holders You already bank there — easiest and cheapest. Call ahead to confirm a notary is in that day.
The UPS Store / FedEx Office / pack-and-ship ~$5–15 per signature Walk-in convenience; there's one near campus in Golden. No account needed.
AAA branch Free for members You're a AAA member — free notary is a membership perk.
Public library Free or a few dollars Many Colorado libraries (including Jefferson County, which serves Golden) offer notary by appointment.
Colorado School of Mines campus Often free for students They're already on campus. Check Student Life / the Registrar / ASCSM for a notary on staff.
Mobile notary (comes to you) ~$25–75 travel fee You want it done at home before move-in, witnesses and all, in one sitting.
Online notary (Remote Online Notarization) ~$25 per session They're already in Golden and you're elsewhere — Colorado authorizes RON, so they can notarize by webcam. Services: Notarize, OneNotary, your bank's app.
Do it in one trip. Bring both POAs (and the HIPAA form to keep the packet together), their ID, and — if you want witnesses on the Medical POA — one or two adults who are not you and not named in the documents. Many notaries can also serve as or find a witness on site.

FERPA & Colorado School of Mines

FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) transfers control of education records to the student once they enroll in college, regardless of who pays tuition. A generic form won't open the school's systems — Mines honors its own release/proxy process. This part is free; don't pay a vendor for it.

  1. Have them log into the Mines student portal (Trailhead)

    The FERPA release / "authorized user" or proxy-access setup lives under the student account, typically through the Registrar's office.

  2. They grant you access and choose what you can see

    Common categories: academic records/grades, billing & financial aid, enrollment status. They pick which ones — they're in control of the scope.

  3. For billing specifically, set up authorized-payer access too

    Mines' student-account/bursar system has a separate "authorized user" grant so you can view and pay the bill. The FERPA release and the billing grant are not always the same toggle.

  4. Confirm with the Registrar if anything's unclear

    The Mines Office of the Registrar can confirm exactly which form or portal screen to use this term — policies and portal layouts change.

Note: If you claim them as a dependent on your taxes, FERPA permits Mines to share records with you even without their consent — but it does not require them to. A signed FERPA release is the reliable path.

Sign it once. Reach for it never — until you need it.

Releasign can hold these authorizations as scoped, revocable, audit-logged releases your young adult controls from their phone.

Not legal advice. Releasign is not a law firm and these templates are educational starting points, not a substitute for advice from a Colorado-licensed attorney. Statutes and school policies change; verify current Colorado requirements (Title 15, C.R.S.), HIPAA (45 C.F.R. § 164.508), and FERPA (34 C.F.R. Part 99), and confirm Colorado School of Mines' current FERPA/proxy process with its Registrar before relying on any document here. For complex situations — significant assets, mental-health or substance-use carve-outs, or out-of-state property — consult an attorney.