Learn more about the Rights 5 this Friday

Protect yourself and your loved ones with the Rights 5. Come to an open house with Lambda Community Center in Fort Collins and Mindy Barton of Equal Rights Colorado to learn more about the Rights 5 and Designated Beneficiaries Agreements for Coloradans this Friday.

Designated Beneficiaries is the law of the land in Colorado

Dozens of people gathered on July 1 in the atrium of the Wellington E. Webb Building to celebrate Colorado's new Designated Beneficiaries law and file their agreements.

Speakers at the event included Sen. Pat Steadman (at podium), Denver Clerk and Recorder Stephanie O'Malley, Denver's Director for Human Rights and Community Relations Lucia Guzman, and many couples who were turning in their forms that day.
Designated Beneficiary Agreements provide a new tool for estate planning, giving Coloradans access to a low-cost and convenient method for making plans for end-of-life decisions, inheritance, and other protections related to health care and medical emergencies. It also allows beneficiaries to sue for wrongful death and the access to workers compensation benefits, two provisions that weren't possible for unmarried couples before today.

A coalition of more than 30 organizations worked with Rep. Mark Ferrandino and former Sen. Jennifer Veiga, sponsors of the bill, to make Designated Beneficiary Agreements a reality.

"I am privileged to have been able to play a role in getting us to this day," Ferrandino said. "Designated Beneficiaries will have a long-lasting positive impact on Coloradans from all walks of life."

For more information, including a downloadable form, go to www.designatedbeneficiaries.org.

Colorado couples line up to sign up for the Designated Beneficiary Agreements

The Designated Beneficiary Agreement Act went into effect in Colorado on July 1. The act provides same-sex couples some of the rights of marriage. Matt Kailey talked to some of the couples who went to the Denver County Clerk and Recorder's office to take advantage of the new law.

Protect yourself and your partner with Designated Beneficiary Agreements

Beginning July 1, 2009, same-sex partners will be able to establish Designated Beneficiary Agreements in the State of Colorado.

It’s a convenient and low-cost way to designate your loved one as the person entitled to certain financial protections and decision-making powers in major life events.

If you’re hospitalized, will your partner be able to make decisions for you? Will they even be able to visit you? Who stands to inherit your belongings if you die?

Don’t leave it to chance. Designated Beneficiary Agreements let you make these important decisions for each other.

To learn more about this important protection, including the form you’ll need, visit www.designatedbeneficiaries.org.