From Capitol Hill/Legislation

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The 2009 legislative session began with relatively few bills affecting Colorado common interest communities. But the last few weeks of the session more than made up for the slow start. New laws concerning community association governance do the following: (i) mandate that association boards have access to extensive, specific information to assist with their decision-making, (ii) establish qualifications for individuals serving as committee chairs, and (iii) require policies concerning reserve programs. Other laws enacted but not discussed in this article include restrictions on affordable housing units, modifications to foreclosure time frames for some borrowers, and changes to provisions of the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act applicable to small, exempt communities. The table below gives a summary of the new laws affecting association governance, the action required by associations, and the effective dates of the laws.Continue Reading New Laws Affect Association Governance

For those of you who have an interest in the evolution and development of the Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, the American Bar Association House of Delegates recently adopted the 2008 Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act as proposed by the Uniform Law Commission. This new act is an attempt to integrate, address and resolve a number of issues that have been raised in the formation, operation and management of common interest communities in the last thirty years. But, be mindful that this is only a recommended uniform act – it is not the law in Colorado (and may never be), nor any other state at this time. However, it does provide some guidance and insight into the rationale behind various provisions that we are all familiar with in the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act ("CCIOA").Continue Reading UCIOA 2008 and UCIOBORA

Colorado’s new law concerning carbon monoxide alarms was signed by Governor Ritter on March 24, 2009 and applies to sales, rentals and remodels of single family and multi-family residences on and after July 1, 2009. The definition of “multi-family dwelling” in the new law specifically includes condominiums, and therefore, subject to certain limitations, would apply to units in condominium associations.Continue Reading Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Colorado’s New Law

Open windows during the warmer months of the year allow you to experience the fresh, Colorado air.  But sometimes that air is not so fresh.  Secondhand tobacco smoke can make its way into your home, causing irritation and potential harm.  Community associations may have a role, and an obligation, in minimizing the impact of second-hand tobacco smoke in your home.

The Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act took effect nearly two years ago, on July 1, 2006. The Clean Indoor Air Act applies to community associations and prohibits smoking in restrooms, hallways, lobbies and other common areas in any public or private buildings, including condominium buildings, and within a fifteen foot radius of building entryways.  The law does not prevent owners from smoking in their residences, and does not clearly restrict smoking on private patios or balconies, although some associations impose more stringent smoking restrictions through their recorded covenants or rules.  Colorado community associations, and individuals, in violation of the Clean Indoor Air Act may face fines.  The law establishes a fine schedule of $200 for the first violation, $300 for the second, and $500 for the third and subsequent violations.Continue Reading Clearing the Air: Dealing with Secondhand Smoke

Our legislature continues to tinker with the responsible governance policies made mandatory several years ago. This year Governor Ritter signed H.B. 1135 which amends Section 209.5 of the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act (CCIOA). Section 209.5 first became law in 2005 by what has commonly been referred to as S.B. 100 which required every association to adopt a responsible governance policy concerning enforcement of covenants and rules, including notice and hearing procedures and a schedule of fines. Prior to adoption of S.B. 100, CCIOA permitted an association to levy reasonable fines for violations of the declaration, bylaws and rules and regulations, but only after notice to the offending owner and an opportunity for a hearing.
Continue Reading Hearing Due Process – Now What?

"Going green" seems all the rage these days. From the cover of Newsweek, to hybrid vehicles, to Al Gore and the bevy of eco-friendly products at the local retail store, the push for consumer products and practices that minimize the impact on Earth and its resources has found its place in mainstream America.

Community associations, too, play a role in the green movement. New or old, common interest communities impact the Earth at both the association level and the individual homeowner level. Individuals and associations alike can implement many practices aimed at reducing energy consumption and the overall carbon footprint of their daily activities.

For the past three decades Colorado statutes concerning solar energy devices have guided community associations’ architectural policies. More recent legislation establishes mandates regarding community associations’ landscaping policies and seeks to allow homeowners to use more energy saving devices such as wind generators, retractable window awnings, and clotheslines.Continue Reading Greening Your Community Association

Governor Ritter signed HB 1270 into law on Thursday, April 24, 2008.  This new legislation amends C.R.S. 38-30-168, which has prohibited certain restrictions on solar energy devices since the late 1970s, and adds a new section to the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act.  The new statutory provisions permit homeowners to install alternative energy generation devices, such as solar panels and wind generators, and other select, energy-saving improvements, despite any express prohibition of these items in the recorded covenants, conditions, and restrictions applicable to an owner’s home.  The statute will control in the event of a conflict between the terms of the recorded covenants and the legislation.  Homeowners associations and condominium associations may regulate these alternative energy devices only to the extent that the statutes allow. 
Continue Reading New Legislation Supports Homeowner Use of Alternative Energy Devices

On March 3, 2008, the Colorado General Assembly sent this legislative session’s first piece of legislation impacting Colorado community associations to Governor Ritter for signing. Upon enactment, House Bill 08-1089 will amend the Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act to provide new default procedures for board actions taken without meetings. The new legislation aims to facilitate board actions between meetings and addresses the issue of board members who cannot or do not vote on proposed matters within the necessary time period for board action. House Bill 08-1089 will not take effect until August 6, 2008, at the earliest, and remains subject to the possibility of veto or voter referendum.
Continue Reading Update on Legislation Affecting Community Associations: Board Actions without Meeting

As part of the changes to Colorado’s foreclosure law that become effective January 1, 2008, C.R.S. §38-38-103(1)(c) will read:

If a recorded instrument does not specify the address of the party purporting to have an interest in the property under such recorded instrument, the party shall not be entitled to notice and any interest in the property under such instrument shall be extinguished upon the execution and delivery of a deed pursuant to section 38-38-501.

Meaning, if your association’s current contact information is not listed in your Declaration, a lender foreclosure could extinguish your association’s super priority lien.Continue Reading Colorado Foreclosure Law and Your Association’s Superlien