The death of Lynn Bartels, one of Colorado’s most respected political journalists, has prompted an outpouring of grief from across the state’s political spectrum. She died in June 2026 after a diagnosis of brain cancer, leaving behind a legacy built over three decades of reporting. Her passing is also a quiet reminder of something many Coloradans overlook: when a serious illness arrives, time to plan becomes short.
A Career That Defined Colorado Politics
Bartels spent years at the Rocky Mountain News and later the Denver Post, covering Colorado politics with what her peers described as unmatched grit, humor, and institutional knowledge. Colorado Public Radio reported that she was remembered by colleagues and elected officials from both parties as someone who held power accountable without losing her humanity.
That kind of legacy takes a lifetime to build. Protecting it and everything else a person leaves behind takes a plan.
What Happens Without a Will in Colorado
Colorado intestacy laws determine who inherits your property, and the results don’t always reflect what you would have chosen. Here is what intestacy can mean in practice:
- A long-term partner with no legal marriage may receive nothing
- Adult children and a surviving spouse may be forced to split assets in ways that create conflict
- Minor children may require court-appointed guardianship rather than a guardian you chose
- Sentimental or personal property may go to someone you wouldn’t have selected
These outcomes are avoidable. They require a will, and they require one that is properly drafted and executed under Colorado law.
A Diagnosis Changes the Timeline
When someone receives a serious medical diagnosis, estate planning often moves to the front of the priority list. That urgency is understandable. But waiting until that moment creates real problems.
Cognitive capacity matters for a valid will. A person must be of sound mind when they sign. A diagnosis of a condition affecting the brain can complicate that determination. Starting the process while you are healthy and clear-minded is a practical move.
In addition to a will, most Colorado residents benefit from having:
- A durable power of attorney: Designates someone to manage financial decisions if you become incapacitated
- A medical power of attorney: Designates someone to make health care decisions on your behalf
- A living will: Specifies your wishes for end-of-life medical treatment
- A HIPAA authorization: Allows named individuals to access your medical information
Together, these documents form a complete estate plan. A will alone is not enough.
Local Help Is Available
For residents in northern Colorado, working with someone who understands both state law and local context matters. A Severance, CO will lawyer can help you put a complete estate plan in place that protects your family, reflects your intentions, and holds up under Colorado’s legal requirements. The process is more straightforward than most people expect.
The Right Time to Plan
Lynn Bartels spent her career making sure Coloradans understood what was happening in their state. The lesson her passing offers is simply this: the right time to plan your estate is before you need to.
W.B. Moore Law works with Colorado residents at every stage of life to create wills, powers of attorney, and complete estate plans tailored to their circumstances. If you have been putting it off, this is a reasonable moment to take the next step.