Colorado Mental Health Law
Colorado Law for court-ordered drug rehab and involuntary commitment for mental health disorders on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. The Gravely Disabled Statute in Colorado is an example of an order to initiate an involuntary mental health assessment in the State of Colorado.
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Gravely Disabled Statute Colorado
COLO. REV. STAT. § 27-10-111(1). “The court or jury shall determine that the respondent needs care and treatment only if the court or jury finds such person mentally ill and, as a result of such mental illness, a danger to others or himself or gravely disabled . . . .”
COLO. REV. STAT. § 27-10-102(5)
(a) “Gravely disabled” means a condition in which a person, as a result of mental illness:
(I) Is in danger of serious physical harm due to his inability or failure to provide himself the essential human needs of food, clothing, shelter, and medical care; or
(II) Lacks judgment in the management of his resources and in the conduct of his social relations to the extent that his health or safety is significantly endangered and cannot understand that this is so.
(b) A person who, because of care provided by a family member or by an individual with a similar relationship to the person, is not in danger of serious physical harm or is not significantly endangered following paragraph (a) of this subsection (5) may be deemed “gravely disabled” if there is a notice given that the support given by the family member or other individual who has a similar relationship to the person is to be terminated and the individual with mental illness:
(I) Is diagnosed by a professional person as suffering from Schizophrenia; a major affective disorder; a delusional disorder; or another mental disorder with psychotic features; and
(II) Has been certified, under this article, for treatment of such disorder or has been admitted as an inpatient to a treatment facility for treatment of such disorder at least twice during the last thirty-six months with a period of at least thirty days between certifications or admissions; and
(III) Is exhibiting a deteriorating course leading toward danger to self or others or toward the conditions described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (5) with symptoms and behavior which are substantially similar to those which preceded and were associated with his hospital admissions or certifications for treatment; and
(IV) Is not receiving treatment, which is essential for his health or safety.
State laws are in place to support court-ordered involuntary treatment. Nevertheless, careful planning with a unified approach is essential for successfully using the laws to significantly increase the long term prognosis for your loved one’s recovery. Although we do not provide legal advice, we do provide services to help support the recovery process for all impacted by mental illness and substance abuse throughout the State of Colorado.