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

We have all heard from time to time about an association manager or officer who gets caught with his hand (or more) in the association’s cookie jar. The most recent account making headlines has to do with a manager in Virginia who has been convicted of stealing $3 million from over 350 different homeowners associations. We shake our heads and are thankful that our association isn’t the victim of such a potentially disastrous crime. But sometimes, it is just a matter of luck that our association hasn’t suffered such a loss, or we are lucky that everybody providing services to the association is trustworthy.Continue Reading Fiscal Irresponsibility In Your Association? Embezzlement and What You Can Do to Help Prevent It

The towing of illegally parked vehicles is a topic that is regularly brought to our attention. In most instances, the problem involves a commercial vehicle, motor home, trailer or truck that that is parked in violation of the Association’s covenants or rules. It may also involve a vehicle that appears to have been abandoned or is not properly registered with the State of Colorado. In more egregious instances, the vehicle is parked illegally in a designated handicap parking space or fire lane. In any instance, the question is: “Can we tow the illegally parked vehicle?Continue Reading Towing of Illegally Parked Vehicles

Once again the holiday season is upon us, and that means that many homeowners associations will be hosting parties and putting up lights and other decorations on the common areas. While there is nothing wrong with fully celebrating the holiday season, associations should take care to ensure that decorations and holiday displays do not give the impression that the community favors one particular religion over another. This could subject the association to discrimination claims under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and other federal and state fair housing laws.

Continue Reading Holiday Decorations And The Fair Housing Act

Why are we writing about swimming pool safety in the fall? One reason only – the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. Effective December 19, 2008 this federal law requires that homeowners associations with community pools take certain actions intended to reduce the risk of injury caused by the pool’s drainage and suction systems.Continue Reading Pool Safety in the Fall

Times change, people change, laws changes, can your covenants change too? The simple answer to this question is yes, they can. Two of the most frequent questions we get is how is this done and when should we consider it? Below are our answers to these questions.

 

When Should Your Covenants Be Amended?

 

At WLPP we don’t believe there is any hard and fast rule as to when your covenants should be amended. In general, we recommend that they be reviewed at least every ten years to make sure that they are up to date with current laws and practice. However, a sooner review may be warranted whenever there are significant changes to Colorado law addressing homeowners associations (for example, Senate Bill 05-100). There may be terms that are no longer applicable to your community, outdated restrictions, or terms that no longer comply with current law. 

 Continue Reading Should Your Covenants Be Amended?

This is the second part of a three part series discussing when an owner’s liability for assessments terminates when going through a divorce, foreclosure and/or bankruptcy proceeding. The first part of the series dealt with divorce proceedings. This part addresses public trustee foreclosure of a lender’s lien created by a recorded deed of trust (for purposes of this discussion, a deed of trust is the same as a mortgage).Continue Reading Owner Responsibility During Foreclosure Proceedings

I have now used up another 10 seconds of my allotted 15 minutes of fame. I had the opportunity this week to be interviewed by a local television reporter who was doing a story about a property owner and his dispute with his homeowners association. Unfortunately, it is difficult to give complete and in-depth coverage of an issue when there is a limited amount of time available, especially in light of other pressing news like our country’s current financial melt down. However, the topic raised by the reporter does warrant further, in-depth examination, at least by those involved with the operation and management of their community associations, as well as those governed by them.Continue Reading Conflict and Strife Between Associations and Their Members