DENVER (AP) - Coloradans who are terminally ill can soon begin making written requests for life-ending prescription drugs.

The Denver Post reports the voter-approved law goes into effect as soon as Gov. John Hickenlooper certifies the Nov. 8 election results, which is expected by the end of the year.

Kat West with Compassion & Choices, which ran the end-of-life options campaign in Colorado, says she expects people to begin requesting prescriptions on the first day the law takes effect.

The law requires that a mentally competent patient have a six-month prognosis and get two doctors to approve requests for life-ending medication. It requires doctors to discuss alternatives with the patient as well as safe storage, tracking and disposal of lethal drugs, recognizing that a patient can change his or her mind.

Terminally ill patients must self-administer the medication.

--------- Sign up for Denver7 email alerts to stay informed about breaking news and daily headlines.

Or, keep up-to-date on the latest news and weather with the Denver7 apps for iPhone/iPads, Android and Kindle.