2012

If you are like me, election day couldn’t come soon enough.  While I’m truly a political junkie, the negative campaigning became so overwhelming that even I muted the TV during commercials and we quit answering the incessant political calls.  While the negative campaigns were distasteful and the truth became something that was optional, the real truth is that in the United States of America every vote counts and casting your ballot is your opportunity to make your voice heard.Continue Reading Make Sure to Vote – At Your HOA Annual Meeting!

As you know, from time to time, HOAs end up in the news for perceived abuses to residents of an association or to question actions taken by the board or management.  While the allegations in the news coverage may or may not be true, it’s rare to see a flattering story about an HOA.  As a result, it’s important to have a plan in place to address difficult issues that may arise in your association and the subsequent media coverage.      

Chuck Montera, a public relations and issues management professional with Sigler Communications, works routinely on HOA issues and was kind enough to provide us with the following article on crisis management to share with our readers.  Instead of relying on an attorney to provide advice on public relations issues – we thought it would be helpful for you to get advice straight from a public relations expert.  Continue Reading How to avoid becoming a headline – or successfully dealing with it if you do

Every Board member knows there are some people who are simply grumps.  They enjoy creating a negative environment.  While Board members are only human, it’s important to remember to treat grumps the same as any other member of the association.  If a Board treats a grump differently, that Board could end up with a case of selective enforcement.

Selective enforcement occurs when a Board enforces a covenant against some, but not all members.  This may happen when the Board intentionally takes an action due to a personal issue, as with a grump, or it may happen when a Board takes actions a prior Board neglected to take.  Every situation is different, and what may seem like unequal treatment is not necessarily selective enforcement.Continue Reading Be Nice to Grumps!

Governing and overseeing the operations of an HOA is a significant responsibility for board members which can sometimes seem a bit overwhelming.  In addition, some board members have never served on the board of a nonprofit corporation or have little experience overseeing the business aspects of an association.  As a result, attending educational sessions can be an extremely helpful resource for directors. 

The Rocky Mountain and Southern Colorado Chapters of Community Associations Institute, management companies and law firms like WLPP routinely provide education for boards.  While for the most part these educational sessions are provided free of charge, sometimes there is a small fee for attendance.  The Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act ("CCIOA") addresses the ability of associations to reimburse board members for educational expenses. Continue Reading CCIOA 101 for HOA Boards: Reimbursement for Board Member Education

With annual meeting season upon us, it’s a great time for the boards of HOAs to provide owner education as required by the Colorado Common Ownership Act.  CCIOA, at C.R.S. 38-33.3-209.7, requires associations to provide free education at least yearly to owners on ". . . the general operations of the association and the rights and responsibilities of owners, the association and its executive board under Colorado law."  This provision of the statute permits the boards of HOAs to determine how to comply with the requirements for owner education.  In addition, owner education is not required for time-share communities. Continue Reading CCIOA 101 for HOA Boards: Annual Owner Education

Last Thursday, as Chair of CAI’s Colorado Legislative Action Committee, I served on a panel for a Town Hall Meeting hosted by State Representatives Angela Williams, Su Ryden, Rhonda Fields, Nancy Todd and State Senator Morgan Carroll. The topic of the evening revolved around HOAs, the problems folks living in them sometimes experience and whether Colorado law needs to be revised to address these problems.

As I listened to homeowner advocates and folks who have experienced real problems with their HOAs, three important principles for empowerment came to mind:  (1) homeowners are empowered when they are knowledgable; (2) homeowners are empowered when they participate in the governance of their HOAs; and (3) homeowners are empowered when they focus upon and are part of real and reasonable solutions.Continue Reading Knowledge, Participation and Solutions Empower Homeowners

Last week, attorney Gary Kujawski began his employment as the HOA Information Officer with the Colorado Division of Real Estate.  Since this important position has been vacant for about six months, we are thrilled to see that it has been filled and are certain that Mr. Kujawski will use his knowledge and experience in training to provide homeowners and…

I recently read an article where a homeowner was upset about her condominium association initiating foreclosure proceedings against her for her failure to pay her assessments. While people may read this article and feel sorry for the homeowner, one should keep in mind that the homeowner failed to appear at court to protect her interests and, more likely than not, failed to respond to the Association and its attorneys attempts to contact the homeowner prior to the foreclosure proceedings even being initiated. It does not appear that the homeowner is the helpless victim of the actions of a condominium association, but instead, that the homeowner apparently avoided her obligation to pay assessments and did not take any action to prevent the events that followed.   Continue Reading Before You Start Pointing Fingers….