Associations argue for tossing of PPP lawsuit (CO)

Lawyers for condominium associations based in Aspen, Snowmass Village and resort towns elsewhere in Colorado recently introduced court pleadings arguing for the dismissal of a civil-fraud lawsuit that alleges the organizations fraudulently obtained funds from the Paycheck Protection Program.    Read the article…………………………….

6 Gant condominiums uninhabitable after Tuesday morning fire (CO)

Six condominiums sustained damage and are currently uninhabitable after a structure fire early Tuesday morning, according to an Aspen Fire Protection District (AFPD) news release. No injuries were reported.  According to the release, AFPD was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 610 S West End Street in Aspen at The Gant at 5:14 a.m. […]

Bills to reform Colorado’s construction defects law advance in Legislature

Two bills aimed at reforming Colorado’s construction defect law advanced through the Legislature this week, one to spur more condo development by lowering insurance costs and another to give homeowners more protection against shoddy construction.  They both have to do with the state’s Construction Defect Action Reform Act, which sets up a process for homeowners […]

Update on the HB22-1137 Related Bills (CO)

The HOA foreclosure sale bill, HB24-1158, was heard by the Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee on February 27, 2024. The recorded hearing is available on its website.   Read the article…………………………….

Downtown Denver condo residents say bicycle lane poses safety concerns (CO)

Residents in a downtown Denver condominium say the installation of a bicycle lane is causing safety issues for the people living there.  This past August, the city installed a bicycle lane outside of Windsor Condominiums along Larimer Street.  But residents call it a hazard every time they step out their front doorstep.   Read the article…………………………….

Free capital reserve studies available for APCHA condo units (CO)

The Aspen-Pitkin County Housing Authority (APCHA) is seeking participants in a free initiative aimed at supporting homeowners’ associations (HOAs) in long-term planning for maintenance and major repairs.  APCHA will fund 100% of the study costs, which amounts to nearly $167,000. The studies will seek to understand the financial health of HOAs in relation to future […]

New law means an HOA can’t stop you from hardening your home against wildfires (CO)

A new state law voids homeowners’ association rules that prevent residents from using building materials that are more resistant to wildfires.  Gov. Jared Polis signed the legislation this week. In a statement, he said the new law should help homeowners safeguard their homes and save money on insurance.   Read the article…………………………….

State lawmakers want to study HOA insurance market (CO)

When a townhome complex in Louisville lost five buildings in the 2021 Marshall Fire, the homeowners board president expected the insurance would go up.  But not this much.  The Wildflower townhome community’s annual insurance premium went from $65,000 in June 2022 to $437,000 in June 2023, according to board president Mark Appelfeller. He said the […]

Why your Home Owner’s Association fees in Colorado could be on the rise this year

According to industry experts, those who live inside neighborhoods that have Home Owner Associations (HOA’s) may see a steep increase in their fees this year. They say it is because of two things: skyrocketing insurance costs and increasing labor costs.  “A lot of our clients are seeing their costs increase up and down their budget, […]

Boulder HOA Dog-Walking Dispute Stirs Debate on Community Rights and Power Dynamics (CO)

The controversy over a dog-walking prohibition by a Boulder homeowners association (HOA) has ignited a wider discussion on the influence of HOAs and the rights of community members. This debate underscores the tension between individual freedoms and collective property rights, spotlighting the case as a microcosm of broader societal issues.   Read the article…………………………….

HOA insurance premiums skyrocket across Colorado, driving up condo dues

To say Rosalie Hayes was stunned when she opened the letter describing a dues increase at her Arvada condo complex this year would be an understatement.  “When I opened this letter, it was just like you could have knocked me over with a feather,” she said. “It was a shock.”  Read the article…………………………….

Some Colorado HOAs ban using fire-resistant building materials. This proposed law could overrule that

A Colorado Senate committee on Tuesday advanced legislation that would block homeowners’ association rules that prevent residents from using fire-resistant building materials, a change that firefighters and insurance experts say would give communities more options to harden properties against climate-fueled wildfires.    Read the article…………………………….

Lawmakers advance bill that would void HOA rules that block wildfire-hardening (CO)

A Colorado Senate committee on Tuesday advanced legislation that would block homeowners’ association rules that prevent residents from using fire-resistant building materials, a change that firefighters and insurance experts say would give communities more options to harden properties against climate-fueled wildfires.   Read the article…………………………….

Here’s what Colorado law says about HOAs

It’s no secret the cost of just about everything is going up, and for some property owners that may also be the case for HOA dues this year.  Nearly half of the state’s population lives in a homeowners association or “HOA”, and homes being built now are more than likely subjected to one.     Read […]

Boulder preschool loses playground access in HOA dispute (CO)

The owners of a small, nonprofit preschool in Boulder’s Iris Hollow neighborhood fear a disagreement with the homeowners association over access to a playground could eventually force them to move or close.   Read the article…………………………….

Colorado lawmakers introduce bill to foster more condo construction

In yet another effort to alleviate soaring housing costs in Colorado, lawmakers on Monday introduced a bill aiming to boost condominium construction in the state — an option historically seen as a way for first-time homebuyers to enter the housing market.  Read the article…………………………….

Many Colorado HOAs have rules that make homes more vulnerable to wildfires. New legislation could block those.

Colorado lawmakers on Friday advanced new legislation that would make it easier to build or upgrade homes to harden them against wildfires. The legislation would void language in existing homeowners’ association bylaws, deed restrictions or property contracts that prevent residents from installing or using fire-resistant building materials. It would also prohibit new restrictions. Read the […]

Residents still displaced after Feb. 1 condo fire (CO)

It will be a tough holiday season for residents displaced by a fire last winter at a condominium building.  More than 80 people had to move out of their homes at the Valencia condominiums on Feb. 1. A large unrepaired portion of the building remains surrounded by a fence.    Read the article……………………………

Highlands Ranch gingerbread house gets national attention (CO)

On ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” families from across the country compete to win $50,000 and a large light trophy.  With plans to film in early November, Hazard had to get approval from the Highlands Ranch Community Association to put his lights up early. He said the association and his neighbors were extremely supportive.  […]

Opinion: Don’t give developers and builders a free pass on shoddy work

As the unlucky buyer of a poorly built condo, the recent Denver Post editorial advocating for proposals that would weaken the rights for homeowners is infuriating. Buyers should expect developers to build their new home right – and if it’s not, be able to hold developers legally accountable to fix it.    Read the article………………………………..

Money & the Law: Fight over parking spot ensnares courts (CO)

It has long been my belief that civil litigation has replaced horse racing as the sport of kings, and may be more expensive. A case decided in October by the Colorado Court of Appeals added further evidence in support of my belief.  The lawsuit at issue here involved a parking space in an open-air parking […]

City of Greeley to host final homeowners association workshop of 2023 (CO)

The city of Greeley’s final free workshop about the management of homeowners associations and boards of the year will take place next week.  “Silent Documents — What Authority Do We Have?” begins 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Greeley Family FunPlex, 1501 65th Ave., and ends at 8 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.   Read the […]

Colorado woman without renters insurance loses everything in condo fire

A woman in Aurora says her life was changed in an instant when the condo she was renting caught on fire. It serves as a reminder to invest in renters insurance. While most property companies require it, this is a lesson in how valuable it can be.   Read the article………………………………

HB23-1105 (CO)

Pursuant to House Bill 23-1105, signed into law on May 24, 2023, an HOA Task Force is to be appointed by August 1, 2023, to examine issues regarding homeowners’ rights and to perform other duties as noted in the new law. Each homeowner association in Colorado is required to notify owners about this task force.  […]

Update on HB23-1105 Homeowners’ Rights Task Force (CO)

The first meeting of the Homeowners’ Rights Task Force occurred on October 24, 2023. At this initial meeting of the task force, brief discussion occurred about such topics as HOA manager licensing, options for resolving association disputes with homeowners that would be outside of the traditional lawsuit actions, the HOA budgeting process and potential reform […]

HOA management company charging residents for certified mailings: “Do not do this” said Colorado lawmaker

Some residents of an income-controlled HOA in Denver are bristling over the fact their HOA management company has been charging them $35 to send them certified letters notifying them of potential fines for HOA rule violations. The management company, RowCal, has also been charging residents $75 for certified letters notifying them they are behind on […]

Colorado’s justices weigh immunity for municipalities acting as housing developers

…..However, the condominium association for Burlingame Ranch II, an affordable housing community that the city of Aspen developed itself, believed it could hold the city responsible for construction defects in a different way. Instead of claiming negligent construction, which the CGIA would block, the association argued the city breached its contract with homebuyers by not […]

Racist covenant dating to 1941 stricken from record (CO)

A nearly four-year effort by a small band of people in Colorado Springs to erase an 82-year-old racist covenant from the public record succeeded on Oct. 6 when El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker ordered his staff to remove it.   Read the article…………………………..

HOA Task Force Meeting Set (CO)

The HOA Homeowners’ Rights Task Force created by House Bill 23-1105 will hold its first public meeting on October 24, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. by Zoom Webinar.  Read the announcement…………………….