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Colorado Gov. Signs Designated Beneficiary Law


Gov. Bill Ritter of Colorado on Thursday signed the Designated Beneficiary Agreement Act, which allows unmarried adult couples -- including same-sex partners -- some of the legal rights afforded to married couples; the legislation delivers expanded rights in areas including inheritance matters, medical decisions, and hospital visitation.

With an eye toward convenience, the law permits any two unmarried adults to designate each other as beneficiaries by filing a form with a county clerk. The legislation takes effect on July 1.

Two openly gay members of the legislature, Sen. Jennifer Veiga and Rep. Mark Ferrandino, both Democrats from Denver, sponsored the legislation. It passed with minimal Republican support.

Republican senator Kevin Lundberg had dismissed the legislation as an attempt to establish "marriage light." Colorado voters passed a same-sex marriage ban in 2006.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Thomas
    Date posted: 4/10/2009 3:37:00 PM
    Hometown: San Luis Obispo, CA

    Comment:

    "Republican senator Kevin Lundberg had dismissed the legislation as an attempt to establish 'marriage light.'" Kevin is so right on this one. "Marriage light" SHOULD be dismissed -- because it falls short of equality. Could Republicans be getting smarter???

  • Name: torqueflite
    Date posted: 4/10/2009 2:08:00 PM
    Hometown: Colorado

    Comment:

    As a Coloradan who well remembers with revulsion our state's evil Amendment 2 that led to the landmark USSC decision of Romer v. Evans, 1996, I welcome this legislation as long overdue. It's a babystep toward equality from a state that embraced a DOMA and rejected domestic partnerships just a few years ago.

  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 4/10/2009 12:50:00 PM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    I'm pleased Colorado is taking a step toward equality. I noted with amusement, however, that the Republicans still appear four-square against any attempt at LGBT recognition. They better build an ark, because the flood IS coming and their kind are due to be swept away by it.



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