Colorado Guardianship Annual Report: What to File and When

Getting appointed as guardian for your parent was the hard part. What many families don't realize is that the court's involvement doesn't end at the hearing — Colorado requires ongoing annual reports from every guardian and conservator. Miss a filing deadline and you risk being removed from your appointment.

Guardian Reporting: JDF 850

If you're appointed as guardian (authority over your parent's person, healthcare, and living arrangements), you must file JDF 850 (Guardian's Report — Adult) with the court.

Filing schedule:

• Initial report (care plan): Due within 60 days of appointment — check the "Initial Report/Care Plan" box on the form
• Annual reports: Due every year on the anniversary of your appointment

What the form covers:

• Your parent's current living situation and address
• Physical and mental health status
• Medical treatments and medications
• Social activities and quality of life
• Any changes in condition since the last report
• Your plan for the coming year

The court uses this report to verify that your parent is receiving appropriate care and that the guardianship remains necessary. If your parent's condition improves to the point where guardianship is no longer needed, the annual report is where you'd request modification or termination.

Conservator Reporting: JDF 882 and JDF 885

If you're also appointed as conservator (authority over your parent's finances), you have additional reporting obligations:

Initial filing (within 90 days):

• JDF 882 — Conservator's Financial Plan with Inventory: A complete accounting of every asset in your parent's estate — bank accounts, investments, real property, personal property, insurance policies, and debts
• JDF 883 — Order Regarding Conservator's Financial Plan: The judge's approval of your proposed management plan

Annual filing:

• JDF 885 — Conservator's Report (Annual Financial Report): A detailed accounting of all income received, expenditures made, and current asset balances for the reporting period

The financial report must account for every dollar. Courts take conservator accountability seriously — unexplained expenditures, missing assets, or incomplete records can trigger a formal audit and potential removal.

Practical Tips for Staying Compliant

Keep a running log. Don't try to reconstruct a year's worth of activity at filing time. Maintain a simple spreadsheet or notebook tracking all financial transactions, medical appointments, living arrangement changes, and significant decisions throughout the year.

Calendar the deadlines. Set reminders for 30 days before each annual filing date. Late filings generate court notices and can lead to show-cause hearings where you must explain the delay.

Save receipts and documentation. For conservators, keep every receipt, bank statement, and invoice. For guardians, keep copies of medical records, treatment plans, and care facility agreements. The court may request supporting documentation for anything in your report.

File even if nothing changed. A quiet year with no major changes still requires a report. "Status unchanged" entries for each section are acceptable — a missing report is not.

What Happens If You Don't File

Colorado courts monitor guardian and conservator compliance. If you miss a filing deadline:

1. The court sends a notice requesting the overdue report
2. If you still don't respond, the court may schedule a show-cause hearing
3. Continued non-compliance can result in removal as guardian/conservator and appointment of a replacement — potentially a professional guardian paid from your parent's estate

In extreme cases, courts have referred guardians to the district attorney for investigation when missing reports coincide with unexplained financial activity.

Getting Help with Reports

If you filed for guardianship without an attorney (pro se) and are now struggling with the reporting requirements, most Colorado courthouse self-help centers can answer procedural questions about how to complete the forms. They can't give legal advice, but they can clarify what each section requires.

The Colorado Power of Attorney & Guardianship Kit includes post-appointment reporting guidance — covering initial and annual filing requirements, what courts expect to see, and how to organize your documentation throughout the year.

See more Colorado guides →