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

Since some HOAs are located in special districts that regulate domestic water or sanitary sewer services, I thought you might be interested in House Bill 13-1186 ("HB 1186") which was introduced in the Colorado House of Representatives yesterday by Representative Edward Vigil. 

HB 1186 requires a special district that provides domestic water or sanitary sewer services to…

If you’ve ever flipped through a pop magazine, I’m sure you’ve seen the articles that show pictures of celebrities and how they are “just like us”. While those stories usually depict celebrities going to the grocery store or taking public transportation, I recently read an article in which a former Playboy model allegedly violated her association’s rules by constructing a pink doghouse for her three dogs. For some reason, the pink doghouse did not comply with her Association’s rules and regulations. Continue Reading Even Celebrities Have to Follow the Rules

Late yesterday afternoon, I blogged that SB 126 had just been introduced in the Colorado Senate by Senator Lucia Guzman.  In addition to the provisions outlined in my blog yesterday, the bill provides that associations would be permitted to apply for funds from Colorado’s Electric Vehicle Grant Fund.  The amount of funds that would be made available for the installation of electric car charging stations in HOAs is

Senate Bill 13-126 (“SB 126”) was introduced by Senator Lucia Guzman today in the Colorado Senate. The bill, which is intended to provide consumers with the ability to charge electric cars in apartments, condominiums and common interest communities, is quite extensive and could have significant implications for existing condominiums. Here’s a synopsis of how the bill, as originally introduced, impacts associations:Continue Reading Extensive Electric Car Charging Station Bill Impacting HOAs Just Introduced in the Colorado Senate