Is a medical durable power of attorney recognized by the courts?
In 1992, Colorado adopted the Patient Autonomy Act. This law specifically authorizes the creation of medical durable powers of attorney. Through this device, you may instruct health care providers to withdraw artificial nutrition and hydration and authorize the application or withdrawal of various medical procedures. The law affirms the right of individuals to establish, in advance of the need for medical treatment, any directives and instructions in the even the person lacks the decisional capacity to provide informed consent to or refusal of medical treatment.
