On the first day that unmarried couples could enter into a legal contract that gives them many of the rights that used to be reserved for married couples, only 21 Denver and Boulder County couples enrolled.
These “designated beneficiary agreements” give unmarried couples — gay or straight — hospital visitation rights, the right to make medical decisions for each other and an easy way to designate each other as beneficiaries in their wills and life-insurance plans.
The agreements were established by a bill signed by Gov. Bill Ritter in April that went into effect Wednesday.
Seventeen couples filed their agreements at the Denver County clerk and recorder’s office Wednesday, while four couples arrived at the Boulder County clerk and recorder’s office with their notarized paperwork in hand.
Many of the Denver couples went to the recorder’s office immediately after a celebration of the new law at the Wellington E. Webb building.
Claire Trageser: 303-954-1638 or ctrageser@denverpost.com
Signing up
For more information on filing designated beneficiary agreements, contact your county clerk and recorder’s office or go to .
