Barton said that, prior to the Designated Beneficiaries law which went into effect in July, unmarried couples had to complete a myriad of separate forms, often at great expense, to accomplish the same purpose as they can now accomplish by filling out one form, having it notarized, and filing it at the County Clerk's office. While the agreement doesn't take the place of wills, powers of attorney, or beneficiary designations on insurance policies, it does serve as a legal document in granting the designated person rights such as inheriting property, being allowed visitation in health care facilities, making medical treatment and end-of-life decisions, and having standing in legal actions like wrongful death suits or Workman's Comp benefits. It is important to note, said Barton, that this agreement benefits not only GLBT couples, but can be negotiated between any two people regardless of living arrangements or relationship.

Barton and her associates are very excited about the legal gains they have made in Colorado in the last few years. In addition to designated beneficiaries, Colorado has enacted laws affecting GLBT rights in the areas of employment nondiscrimination, housing and public accommodations, h ate crimes, and s econd-parent adoptions. They are encouraged by recent polling that showed Coloradans are overwhelmingly in favor of equal rights for domestic partners. For more information on the Designated Beneficiaries law, visit designatedbeneficiaries.org. For general information or support for GLBT issues and resources, visit glbtcolorado.org or call 303-733-7743.