2013

Yesterday, Senator Morgan Carroll introduced Senate Bill 13-183 ("SB 183") to amend current law as it relates to HOAs requiring homeowners to install turf grass on any portion of property they own or are responsible for.  The bill is intended to promote the utilization of xeriscaping as a response to the drought conditions we are continuing to experience in Colorado while providing HOAs with the authority to regulate the types of drought tolerant plantings and hardscapes which may be installed by owners. 

As initially introduced, the bill provides as follows: Continue Reading Xeriscape Bill Introduced by Senator Morgan Carroll

Just minutes ago, the Senate passed the overhauled version of SB 126 on second reading by a voice vote on the floor without further amendments. 

Republican Senator David Balmer spoke before the vote in opposition to the bill citing constituent concerns that older apartment buildings are not wired appropriately to host electric car charging stations.  Republican Senator Kevin Lundberg …

The Senate Local Government Committee just passed out of Committee an overhauled version of SB 126 which was introduced by Senator Guzman to address the installation of electric car charging stations in apartment buildings and HOAs.  In terms of HOAs, the bill as amended, provides as follows:Continue Reading Overhauled Electric Car Charging Station Bill Passed by Senate Local Government Committee

Senate Bill 13-052 ("SB 52"), the bill introduced by Senator Mark Scheffel to address construction defects in "transit-oriented developments," was scheduled to be heard before the Senate Judiciary Committee today.  As just reported by the Denver Business Journal, Senator Scheffel asked that the bill be removed from the Committee calendar while the Association…

An interesting story in the news caught my eye today as I was sipping my morning coffee. An Aurora woman, allegedly frustrated with her non-responsive mortgage company, spray painted the following message on her garage door: “"Jamie Dimon & JPMorgan Chase JP Morgan Chase is stealing this home. Ignores homeowner for 21 months!! I will not violate federal law on your behalf as a condition of communication from you! Call me. Chase Me!! (heart) you."  Apparently, she has been attempting to work something out with her lender for twenty-one months to no avail. The entire story can be read here:  www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/woman-tags-home-with-message-to-her-bank-jpmorgan-chase-is-stealing-this-home 

As someone who actively litigates collections and lien foreclosures on behalf of community associations, most who know me would not expect an empathetic response by me to her situation. Besides, every story has two sides right? However, some important lessons can be gathered from this interesting story for the benefit of community associations. 

Continue Reading Simple Tips to Avoid a Huge Mess!

Yesterday, Representative Clare Levy introduced in the Colorado House of Representatives House Bill 13-1225 ("HB 1225") entitled the Homeowner’s Insurance Reform Act of 2013.  The provisions of the bill, aimed at providing information and protections to homeowners, are quite extensive and include the following: Continue Reading Homeowner’s Insurance Reform Bill Introduced in Colorado House of Representatives

The Colorado Division of Real Estate has just published the 2012 Annual Report of the HOA Information and Resource Center. While the number of complaints received by the HOA Information Office in 2012 is higher than the 478 complaints received during 2011, for the 8,347 HOAs which registered in 2012 representing 853,542 units – the office received “576 complaints from 309 different homeowners and residents.” 

Here are some interesting facts from the 2012 Annual Report:Continue Reading 2012 Annual Report of HOA Information and Resource Center Just Published!

The Senate Local Government Committee just held a hearing on SB 126 – the bill which addresses the installation of electric car charging stations in HOAs and apartment buildings.  While the testimony supported the concept of electric car charging stations, there was also testimony addressing the practical realities of the bill as introduced. Extensive amendments will be introduced on the…

Last week Molly Foley-Healy alerted you to proposed PUC regulations that could impact towing in community associations. Earlier today a Call to Action was submitted to CAI members to alert them to these proposed changes. Click through the jump to see the Call to Action, and check back here frequently to keep abreast of legislation that can affect your community.Continue Reading PUC Regulation – A Call to Action