Authorization

The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA) strengthens “first person consent,” meaning when someone makes the decision to donate organs and/or tissues after death and documents their
decision, it cannot be revoked. When someone adds their name to the Donate Life Colorado or Wyoming Organ and Tissue Donor Registry, this indicates their decision to be a donor on a document of gift. This document is legally binding, relieving the family the burden of having to make the donation decision.

Authorized organ and tissue donation personnel search the registry database whenever they are notified that a potential donor faces imminent brain death or has died. If the eligible donor is identified as a registered donor, the family is notified of the loved one’s donor designation status.

Your decision to donate takes priority over your family’s preferences. Please tell your family today about your decision to save lives.

Written Authorization

Once the family decides to withdraw treatment, and if the patient meets certain medical criteria, the option to donate organs is presented by a family support coordinator from a local organ procurement organization (OPO)—Donor Alliance for Colorado and most of Wyoming. The decision to withdraw treatment is made independently of the decision to donate. That way, if the donation falls through, the family has still made the correct decision for their loved one, without having the possibility of donation as a factor.

If the patient is not a registered donor, the family may consider donation options and the donation process proceeds only after the family has granted authorization. This is conducted in the hospital and involves a conversation about donation and written signature by the legal next of kin.