COLORADO: C.R.S. §§ 18-6.5-102, 26-3.1-101 (2001)
“Mistreatment” under § 26-3.1-101 means an act or omission which threatens health, safety, or welfare of an at-risk adult…or which exposes the adult to a situation or condition that poses an imminent risk of death, serious bodily injury or bodily injury to the adult. Includes but is not limited to (a) Abuse which occurs: (I) Where there is infliction of physical pain or injury, as demonstrated by, but not limited to, substantial or multiple skin bruising, bleeding, malnutrition, dehydration, burns, bone fractures, poisoning, subdural hematoma, soft tissue swelling, or suffocation; (II) Where unreasonable confinement or restraint is imposed; or (III) Where there is subjection to nonconsensual sexual conduct or contact classified as a crime under the “Colorado Criminal Code” title 18, C.R.S; (b) Caretaker neglect which occurs when adequate food, clothing, shelter, psychological care, physical care, medical care, or supervision is not secured for the at-risk adult or is not provided by a caretaker in a timely manner and with the degree of care that a reasonable person in the same situation would exercise; except that the withholding of artificial nourishment in accordance with the “Colorado Medical Treatment Decision Act,” article 18 of title 15, C.R.S., shall not be considered as abuse; (c) Exploitation which is the illegal or improper use of an at-risk adult for another person’s advantage.
“Caretaker neglect” under § 26-3.1-101 and § 18-6.5-102 occurs when adequate food, clothing, shelter, psychological care, physical care, medical care, or supervision is not secured for the at-risk adult or is not provided by a caretaker in a timely manner and with degree of care that a reasonable person in the same situation would exercise. Self-neglect (defined separately): act or failure to act whereby an at-risk adult substantially endangers the adult’s health, safety, welfare, or life by not seeking or obtaining services necessary to meet the adult’s essential human needs. Choice of lifestyle or living arrangements shall not, by itself, be evidence of self-neglect:
“Exploitation” under § 26-3.1-101 means the illegal or improper use of an at-risk adult for another person’s advantage.
“At-risk adult” under § 26-3.1-101 means an individual 18 years of age or older who is susceptible to mistreatment …or self-neglect as such term is defined because individual is unable to perform or obtain services necessary for individual’s health, safety, or welfare or lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning the individual’s person or affairs. “At-risk adult” under § 18-6.5-102 means any person who is 60 years of age or older or any person who is 18 years of age or older and is a person with a disability.