Colorado Guardian Annual Report (JDF 850): What to File and When

Getting appointed as your adult child's guardian in Colorado isn't the finish line — it's the beginning of an ongoing reporting relationship with the court. The JDF 850 form is how you prove that the arrangement is still working and that your ward's needs are being met. Miss a filing or submit incomplete information, and the court may require an explanation or other follow-up concerning the guardianship.

What the JDF 850 Requires

The JDF 850 — officially titled the Guardian's Report - Adult — serves two purposes depending on when you file it. Within sixty days of your appointment, you file it checked as an "Initial Report/Care Plan." Every year after that, you file it checked as an "Annual Report" within thirty days of your appointment anniversary.

Both versions ask essentially the same questions, but the emphasis shifts. The initial version focuses on establishing a baseline: where the ward lives, what medical conditions require ongoing treatment, which providers are involved, and what your goals are for the first year. The annual version asks you to report against those goals and explain any changes.

Here's what you need to document:

• Current living situation — address, type of residence (family home, group home, independent apartment), and any changes since the last report
• Physical and mental health status — diagnoses, medications, treating physicians, hospitalizations
• Social activities and community involvement — day programs, employment, recreational activities
• Guardian's contact frequency — how often you visit or communicate with the ward
• Goals and plans — what you're working toward and whether last year's goals were met

The court wants to see that you're actively involved, not just holding a legal title.

Deadlines That Matter

Two deadlines are non-negotiable:

Initial care plan: Due within 60 days of your appointment. This is the plan that establishes your baseline. If you miss this window, the court clerk may flag your case for review.

Annual report: Due within 30 days of each anniversary of your appointment. If you were appointed on March 15, your annual report is due by April 14 every year for as long as the guardianship is active.

After filing, you must serve a copy on the ward and interested persons within ten days. File the Certificate of Service with the court as proof.

Common Filing Mistakes

The most frequent errors that trigger court follow-up:

Vague goals. Writing "continue current care" doesn't satisfy the court's requirement for a meaningful care plan. Instead, identify specific objectives: "Enroll in community day program by September" or "Complete annual dental exam by Q2."

Missing the service requirement. Filing the JDF 850 with the court is only half the job. You must also mail or hand-deliver copies to interested persons and file proof of service. Skipping this step is the single most common compliance failure.

Forgetting conservatorship reporting. If you hold both guardianship and conservatorship, you file two separate reports — the JDF 850 for guardianship and the JDF 885 (Conservator's Report) for the financial side. They have separate obligations and track different information.

Where to File

You file in the same court that issued your Letters of Guardianship. For Denver residents, that's the Denver Probate Court. For all other counties, it's the District Court in the county where the ward resides. If the ward has moved counties since the original appointment, ask the issuing court whether a transfer is needed and which filing it requires.

Filing methods vary by court. Check your specific court's current procedures, including whether mail, in-person filing, or Colorado Courts E-Filing is available for probate matters.

What Happens If You Don't File

The court takes missed reports seriously. Late or incomplete reports can lead to court follow-up, including:

1. Reminder or other follow-up from the court clerk
2. An order requiring an explanation of the delay or incomplete report
3. Additional investigation or other court action concerning the guardianship

Annual reporting isn't optional paperwork. It's the mechanism that keeps the court's oversight active and protects your ward from neglect — including well-intentioned neglect from overwhelmed guardians who simply lose track of deadlines.

Setting Yourself Up for Easier Reporting

A few habits make annual reporting straightforward rather than stressful:

• Keep a running log throughout the year — note medical appointments, medication changes, living arrangement updates, and social activities as they happen
• Calendar your deadline with a 30-day advance reminder
• Save copies of everything — the court may request supporting documentation
• Review last year's goals before writing the new report, so you can accurately describe progress

The Colorado Adult Guardianship & Alternatives Guide includes a compliance calendar worksheet and annual report preparation checklist designed to keep you on track from your first filing through every anniversary.

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