HB17-1087: Office of Public Guardianship

• Creates a pilot Office of Public Guardianship within the Judicial Department to provide guardianship services to indigent and incapacitated adults who lack family support and cannot afford private guardians in the Second, Seventh, and Sixteenth Judicial Districts.

• Establishes a five-member Public Guardianship Commission (three appointed by Colorado Supreme Court, two by Governor) to oversee the office and appoint a Director once $1.7 million in gifts, grants, and donations are received.

• Director must provide services including referral review, eligibility criteria development, appointment of guardian-designees, complaint processes, professional standards development, and data management regarding guardianship costs and unmet needs.

• Requires Director to submit a comprehensive report by January 1, 2021 to the Legislature assessing unmet demand, costs, feasibility of statewide expansion, and funding models for continued operations.

• Pilot program automatically repeals June 30, 2021, with the General Assembly to decide whether to continue, discontinue, or expand the office based on the Director's report.