Thursday, August 21, 2025

11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Registration

12:00 – 1:00 pm

Optional Elder Law Mentor and New Attendee/New Attorney Meet Up

Join experienced practitioners and those new to this area of law for a welcoming meet and greet luncheon. (Boxed lunch fee ($20) collected when you sign up for the event during registration.) 

1:00 – 1:10 pm

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Extended by Kayla Nelson, Esq., Sigler & Nelson LLC, Chelsea Ziegler, Esq., Ragab Law Firm, P.C., Program Chairs, and Susie McNulty, Esq., CBA-CLE

1:10 – 2:10 pm

Friend and Foe: Responsibly Navigating the Benefits and Pitfalls of AI

It is not an exaggeration to say that our world is now shaped by AI. Every day, the news features stories about AI developments, and all of us encounter some form of AI in our daily life and work. At this point, most attorneys have realized that AI will influence our practice in some manner, and that we have to embrace it in order to stay ahead of this trend. In this presentation, we will explore our professional responsibility to our clients, and our obligation to the profession, as we learn to incorporate AI into an estate planning and elder law practice.   

Presented by Vanessa Kanaga, Esq., Becker & House, PLLC

Submitted for 1.2 Ethics Credits

2:10 – 2:30 pm 

Networking Break – Please visit your sponsors

2:30 – 3:30 pm

Handling Medicaid Appeals

The process and regulations behind appealing HCPF Medicaid rejections and termination will be covered, along with how to develop a Medicaid appeal practice.  The session will be presented by a retired Administrative Law Judge, and a practicing elder law/disability attorney who regularly handles Medicaid appeals.

Presented by The Hon. Michael Kirtland (Ret.), and Jack Robinson, Esq., Robinson Disability Law

3:30 – 4:30 pm

The BHOST with the Most: Colorado's Version of a Psychiatric Advance Directive

In this presentation, we will define and discuss Colorado’s unique version of a Psychiatric Advance Directive, codified as a Behavioral Health Order for Scope of Treatment. The conversation will include discussion of a “Ulysses Clause,” some best practices for drafting a Colorado PAD, and practical issues in presenting a PAD/BHOST. Finally, we will discuss the work a CBA T&E section subcommittee has done toward modifications of the Uniform Health-Care Decision Act, as we expect a bill to be introduced in 2026 to replace statutes for medical powers of attorney and advanced directives, including the BHOST/PAD.

Presented by Jonathan Culwell, Esq., The Mental Health Law Firm, and Marianne Luu-Chen, Esq., Hutchinson Black and Cook, LLC

4:30 pm 

Adjourn 

4:30 – 6:00 pm

Welcome Reception & Silent Auction

Sponsored by Midwest Trust Company

Friday, August 22, 2025

7:30 – 8:20 am

Breakfast (Registered Attendees Only)

8:20 – 8:30 am

Welcome Back Remarks

Extended by Kayla Nelson, Esq., Sigler & Nelson LLC, and Chelsea Ziegler, Esq., Ragab Law Firm, P.C., Program Chairs

8:30 – 9:30 am 

The Interaction of Colorado Mental Health Certifications and Guardianships as a Means of Protection

A guardianship alone may not be sufficient to provide all of the protections necessary for an individual. This presentation will discuss mental health certifications and their interplay with guardianships as either an additional means of protection or as an alternative, depending on the respondent’s specific circumstances.

Presented by Paula Young, Esq., Paula Constantakis Young, PC

9:30 – 10:30 am

Laughing Parties, Ugly Babies and Swinging Chickens: The Importance of Cultural Competency for Elder Law Practitioners

This presentation will offer guidance and practical considerations in navigating the multicultural landscape when working with unique estate planning and probate clients.

Presented by Sarah Golombek, Esq., Golombek Law LLC, Marianne Luu-Chen, Esq., Hutchinson Black and Cook, LLC, and Keith Smith, Esq., Setter Roche Smith & Shellenberger LLP

Submitted for 1.2 EDI Credits

10:30 – 10:50 am 

Networking Break – Please visit your sponsors

10:50 – 11:50 am

An Introduction to Using Medicaid Compliant Annuities in Crisis Planning

Join us for this insightful session focused on the fundamentals of using Medicaid Compliant Annuities (MCAs) in crisis Medicaid planning. Dawn Hewitt and Jim Wolverton will guide you through how MCAs interact with Colorado’s Medicaid rules, the specific requirements that apply in our state, and practical strategies for integrating annuities into crisis planning. They will also walk through case studies to show how the annuities can be used in both married couples and single person cases. 

Presented by Dawn Hewitt, Esq., Chayet & Danzo LLC, and Jim Wolverton, J.D., Krause Financial Services, LLC

11:50 am – 12:50 pm

Annual Probate/Elder Law Case Law Update

Scott Challinor will present a detailed update on recent Colorado case law relevant to the probate/elder law practice area. Topics will include recent appellate opinions addressing: formal closing of a probate estate; UTMA accounts; and the homestead exemption in probate.

Presented by Scott Challinor, Esq., Coan, Payton & Payne, LLC

12:50 pm

Adjourn

OPTIONAL AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES

Golf Outing

Time: Tee times start at 1:40 pm

Where: Aspen Golf Club 39551 Highway 82 Aspen, CO 81611

Cost: $350 per person

Fee Includes: Green fee, cart, and range balls. 

First come, first served. Tee times fill up quickly!

Deadline to Signup: Friday, August 15, 2025

5:00 – 6:30 pm 

Networking Reception

Saturday, August 23, 2025

7:30 – 8:15 am

Breakfast (Registered Attendees Only)

8:15 – 8:30 am

Welcome Back Remarks and Presentation of the John J. Campbell Award for Outstanding Contribution to The Practice of Elder Law in Colorado

Extended by Kayla Nelson, Esq., Sigler & Nelson LLC, and Chelsea Ziegler, Esq., Ragab Law Firm, P.C., Program Chairs

8:30 – 9:30 am 

What Every Elder Law Attorney Needs to Know about Income Taxes

Whether acting as a conservator or advising an agent acting under a power of attorney, managing annual income tax filings and minimizing tax liability are essential fiduciary responsibilities. In this presentation, Klaralee Charlton of 3i Law will explore key income tax considerations for aging or incapacitated individuals, including filing requirements, interacting with the IRS, and strategies for current and future tax mitigation.

Presented by Klaralee Charlton, Esq., 3i Law

9:30 – 9:50 am

Networking Break – Please visit your sponsors

9:50 – 10:50 am

From Bedside to Bench-side: Capacity, Cognition, Decision Making and the Courts

This session will provide an overview of various etiologies of cognitive impairment, how these are assessed, basics of capacity assessment, how physicians determine and document capacity, and how to engage persons under guardianship in decision making. Perspectives of a geriatrician, geriatric social worker, and professional guardian will guide the discussion. Panelists will provide case examples and take questions from the group to provide directed education about this complex topic.

Presented by Elizabeth Bloemen, MD, MPH, UCHealth Vulnerable Elder Services, Protection, and Advocacy Team, Sarah Cox, LCSW, UCHealth Vulnerable Elder Services, Protection, and Advocacy Team, and Kari Fillmore, MSW, NCG, Assurance Guardianship & Care Services

10:50 – 11:50 am

A Study in Silver-Haired Abductions

A discussion on what to do if at-risk seniors are wrongfully removed from their state or county, how the system currently fails them, and how to prevent future abductions.

Presented by Susie Germany, Esq., Germany Law Firm, P.C., and Stephanie Brennan, Esq., Brennan Law, LLC

11:50 am

Closing Remarks & Adjourn