2018 Colorado Revised Statutes
Title 25 - Public Health and Environment
Disease Control
Article 4 - Disease Control
Part 5 - Tuberculosis
§ 25-4-507. Isolation order - enforcement - court review

(1) (a) Whenever a health officer determines that isolation of a person in a particular tuberculosis case is necessary for the preservation and protection of the public health, the health officer shall make an isolation order in writing.

• (b) When a health officer is determining whether to issue an isolation order for a person, the health officer shall consider, but is not limited to, the following factors:

  • (I) Whether the person has active tuberculosis;

  • (II) If the person is violating the rules promulgated by the board of health or the orders issued by the appropriate health officer to comply with rules or orders; and

  • (III) Whether the person presents a substantial risk of exposing other persons to an imminent danger of infection.

• (c) All isolation orders shall set forth the name of the person to be isolated and the initial period, not to exceed six months, during which the order shall remain effective, the place of isolation, and such other terms and conditions as may be immediately necessary to protect the public health. The isolation order shall advise the person being detained that he or she has the right to request release from detention by contacting a person designated in the order and that the detention shall not continue for more than five business days after the request for release, unless the detention is authorized by court order. The health officer shall serve a copy of the isolation order upon the person. The person shall be reexamined at the time the initial order expires to ascertain whether or not the tuberculous condition continues to be infectious. When it has been medically determined that the person no longer has active tuberculosis, the person shall be relieved from all further liability or duty imposed by this part 5, and the health officer shall rescind the order.

• (d) A health officer may detain a person who is the subject of an isolation order issued pursuant to this subsection (1) without a prior court order. The health officer may detain the person in a hospital or other appropriate place for examination or treatment.

(2) In a case of a person with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, the health officer may issue an isolation order to such person if it is determined that the person has ceased taking prescribed medications against medical advice. Such order may be issued even if the person is no longer contagious so long as the person has not completed an entire course of therapy.

(3) (a) If a person detained pursuant to an isolation order requests to be released, the detaining authority shall release the person not later than five business days after the person requests the release, absent a court order authorizing detention. Upon receipt of a request for release, the detaining authority shall apply for a court order authorizing continued detention of the person. The detaining authority shall make the application within seventy-two hours after the person requests release or, if the seventy-two-hour period ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, by the end of the first business day following the Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. The application shall include a request for an expedited hearing.

• (b) In any court proceeding to enforce an isolation order, the health officer shall prove the particular circumstances constituting the necessity for the detention by clear and convincing evidence. Any person who is subject to an isolation order has the right to be represented by counsel and, upon request, counsel shall be provided to the person.

• (c) The request for release or filing of an application for a court order to continue an isolation order shall not stay the isolation order.

• (d) In reviewing the application to continue the isolation order, the court shall not conduct a de novo review. The court shall consider the existing administrative record and any supplemental evidence the court deems relevant.

• (e) Upon completion of the hearing, the court shall issue an order continuing, modifying, or dismissing the isolation order.

• (f) A hearing conducted pursuant to this section shall be closed and confidential, and any transcripts relating to the hearing shall be confidential.