Honoring Justice Melissa Hart and Doris Broaddus Truhlar

The Colorado Women’s Bar Association Foundation mourns the loss of Justice Melissa Hart—our cherished friend, colleague, and longtime board member. A brilliant legal scholar, compassionate jurist, and dedicated advocate, Melissa devoted her life to advancing equal justice and opening doors for women in the legal profession.  

Justice Hart held a special place in the Foundation’s community. Honored with our Raising the Bar Award in 2014 for her contributions as a legal educator, she joined the Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2015 and served continuously until her passing, most recently as Vice Chair. As the longtime host of our annual Raising the Bar Dinner, she brought warmth, humor, and grace to our celebrations. Around the board table, she challenged us to think more deeply, reach further, and turn our commitments into meaningful change. She was also a long-time advocate for the endowed scholarships that the Foundation established through the University of Colorado Law School and University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

Justice Hart believed that justice should be available to everyone, regardless of their means. As an educator, mentor, and Colorado Supreme Court justice, she worked tirelessly to make that promise a reality. She inspired generations of lawyers and gave generously of her time, wisdom, and friendship. Those who knew her will remember not only her extraordinary accomplishments, but also her authenticity, hospitality, and the kindness with which she welcomed others into her home and her life.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Justice Hart’s family and all who loved her. We are grateful for every woman she encouraged, every person she mentored, and every effort she made to build a more just community. Her example will continue to guide our work and her memory will always be in our hearts.

Honor Justice Hart’s Legacy

Justice Hart’s family has asked that gifts in her memory be made to the Colorado Women’s Bar Association Foundation or the Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado.

A memorial gift to the CWBA Foundation supports our work to advance women in the law and engage the legal profession in protecting and promoting the welfare of women. Your generosity helps carry forward the commitments Melissa championed throughout her life. Donations can be made online at: 

Donations in Honor of Justice Melissa Hart

Donations can be mailed and made payable to:

CWBA Foundation

P.O. Box 929

Indians Hills, CO 80454 

Please note in memo: Donation in Honor of Justice Hart

You may also honor Justice Hart through a gift to the Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado, which supports Colorado Legal Services and its work to provide civil legal assistance to Coloradans in need.

Thank you for remembering Justice Hart and helping to carry her work forward.

In Memory of Doris Broaddus Truhlar

Doris Broaddus Truhlar, 80, of Centennial, Colorado, died on October 9, 2026. She will be remembered as brave, strong, outspoken, brilliant, caring, and unshakably loyal. 

Doris is survived by her loving husband, Bob. She is also survived by her daughters Samara Taryle Williams and Holly Truhlar; grandchildren, Evan, Calvin, and Charlie Williams; brother, Noland Broaddus; sister, Ann Bailey; and dog, Spike. 

She is preceded in death by her children Brett Taryle and Ivy Truhlar, her Aunt Harriet, who she loved dearly, and parents Doris and Sydney Broaddus. 

Doris was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In her teen years, she regularly snuck out of the house at night through the basement window, pushed her parents’ car silently out of the garage, and went for joy rides. She was editor of her high school newspaper and graduated at the age of 16 in Springfield, Missouri. 

Immediately after graduation, her first job was as a reporter for a daily newspaper in Springfield. At 20, she graduated with a bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Missouri. From 1967 to 1969, Doris was the first woman reporter to cover a Big Eight game from Mizzou sidelines with a media press pass. 

She gave birth to Samara in 1969 and Brett in 1971. She earned a master’s in communication from the University of Denver in 1976 and worked as a journalist at several newspapers. 

She met her life-partner, Bob, in the DU law school registration line in 1977. When he said, “Move up lady,” she turned around and replied with, “F*** you!” The next day they found themselves sitting next to each other for their first class. Bob was terrified. At the end of the class she said, “Want to join my study group?” Bob is forever grateful he joined her study group, and will be in her study groups ‘til the end of time. 

At the end of their first year of law school, Doris and Bob were married on June 24, 1978. Bob credits Doris with getting him through school. Doris earned her Doctorate in Law (J.D.) in 1980, graduating fourth in her class. Their daughter Ivy was born shortly after graduation. Doris clerked for Judge Robert McWilliams on the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals from 1980 to 1981. Their youngest daughter, Holly, was born in 1982. Doris and Bob opened their law practice, Truhlar and Truhlar, in 1985 in Littleton, Colorado.

Doris practiced family law and was often a guardian ad litem who advocated fiercely for children. She was respected and sought after by the courts. She was a member of the Attorney Regulation Committee for nine years. She was President of the Colorado Women’s Bar Association from 2002 to 2003, and received their Mary Lathrop Award (an award also received by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg). She also received the 2003 DU Law Star Alumni Professionalism Award, multiple awards for her pro bono work, and created free clinics for low-income clients. Doris mentored 100’s of associates, law clerks, paralegals, and externs, mostly women. 

In her spare time, Doris volunteered at multiple homeless shelters and was a member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. She served on the church Vestry, was an usher, a reader, a liturgical assistant, and a chalice bearer. She was elected to and served on Centennial City Council 2014 to 2018. 

Doris loved animals, particularly hippos, birds, and dogs. She enjoyed hiking and pressing flowers. She made unique pressed flower cards for everyone she loved. She vacationed in cabins with her family and friends at a ranch on the road to the Maroon Bells for 25 years in a row. She liked playing bridge with Bob and her friends, and she loved playing family games like Scrabble, hearts, and charades.

Doris died with her family surrounding her. She was well loved and cared for through the end. She protected and loved her family and close friends with fierce devotion. She was a force and will be deeply missed. 

Services honoring Doris’s life will be held on Saturday, October 24, at 12:00pm at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 8545 East Dry Creek Road, Centennial, CO, 80112. A reception will immediately follow the service. 

If you’d like to make a donation in Doris’ memory, please donate to Colorado Women’s Bar Foundation. Donations can be made online at:

  Donations in Honor of Doris Broaddus Truhlar

Donations can be mailed and made payable to:

CWBA Foundation

P.O. Box 929

Indians Hills, CO 80454 

Please note in memo: Donation in Honor of Doris Broaddus Truhlar