When your home is built poorly, it can be hard to hold builders accountable, or even get repairs done. A bill moving through the Colorado legislature would make it easier for homeowners to get the fixes they need. “It’s only about having the repairs done properly,” said Janine Musser, a Colorado homeowner. Read the […]
Litigant withdraws PPP fraud suit against condo associations, clubs (CO)
A Florida man is standing down on his litigation that accused dozens of Colorado condominium and homeowners associations of fraudulently collecting federal pandemic money, according to recent court filings. Plaintiff Wade Riner on April 8 withdrew his civil complaint, without prejudice, which means he reserved the right to refile the lawsuit. Read the article…………………………….
State lawmakers take steps to limit HOA foreclosures, equity loss after Colorado Sun investigation
A pair of bills advancing through the Colorado legislature this year would make it harder for homeowners associations to foreclose on their members for unpaid assessments, while giving property owners a better shot at walking away with some of their equity should they lose their homes. Read the article…………………………….
Amended construction defects bill passes Colorado Senate but still lacks homeowner group’s support
The Colorado Senate passed a watered down version of a contentious bill on Thursday that sponsors hope will reduce insurance costs for condominium construction in the state and spur the development of that type of housing. SB-106 would have added a right-to-repair path to resolve faulty construction issues outside of the costly litigation process and […]
Bill Seeks to Clarify Rules Regarding Colorado Metro District and HOA Foreclosures
State law gives metro districts the power to levy fines, fees, and taxes to pay for various construction projects within their territory. However, there is no requirement for metro districts to have a process for residents to dispute the fines levied. Moreover, a metro district could foreclose on a resident’s property if they fail to […]
WATCH: Proponents, critics clash over legislation aimed at increasing Colorado condo construction
Proponents and critics clashed over a proposal that sponsors argue would spur more construction of affordable condos during a town hall on Wednesday. Proponents said Senate Bill 106, which won a 4-3 vote from the Senate Local Government and Housing Committee, would help the construction industry with what developers and others believe is the most […]
Snowmass condominium associations formally request town abandon nearby housing plans (CO)
Several condominium associations in Snowmass Village that asked the town to abandon plans for proposed workforce housing developments near its condos formally requested the town amend its housing master plan to abandon the developments. Read the article…………………………….
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…………………………….
New agreement puts parking problems at Ski Time Square Condos in rearview mirror (CO)
After 17 months without on-site parking, the homeowners association for Ski Time Square Condominiums has reached an agreement with the DBT Development Group that will provide both a short-term and long-term resolution. 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, […]
Cause of Wednesday morning fire at Snowmass Village condominium is under investigation (CO)
Around 9:42 a.m., Roaring Fork Fire Rescue was called to a structure fire at the Willows Condominiums, located at 230 Carriage Way in Snowmass Village. When crews arrived, they saw heavy smoke coming from the building’s attic and eaves. The department called for additional help from nearby agencies Read the article…………………………….
Colorado lawmakers weigh rules to spur more building without stripping homeowner protections
Construction-defect law in Colorado has been the subject of bruising battles in the Capitol for more than a decade. After taking a breather from the last round in 2017, lawmakers are again juggling consumer protection and rules that some worry will stifle much-needed building. Read the article…………………………….
Colorado lawmakers target HOAs with more restrictions to protect homeowners from foreclosure
Homeowners associations’ foreclosure filings on thousands of Coloradans’ houses over unpaid fines and fees have spurred fresh attempts by lawmakers to better regulate HOAs and metropolitan districts with the hope of preventing more people from losing their homes. Read the article…………………………….
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…………………………….
Several southern Colorado leaders back bill they say would bring more condos to the state
Colorado Springs’ mayor is one of more than two dozen mayors across the state supporting a change they say could bring more condos to Colorado. The proposal is aimed at reducing construction lawsuits against condo builders. Right now, only two builders will are willing to build condos in Colorado, according to Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, who […]
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…………………………….
Housing Matters: Capital reserves study for HOAs on the horizon (CO)
During the recent Jan. 17 Aspen-Pitkin County Housing Authority board meeting, the APCHA board approved spending $170,000 to fund capital reserve studies for up to 40 APCHA homeowner’s associations. 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…………………………….
Introduction to HB 24-1051 (Tow Carrier Regulation Bill) and Its Potential Impact on HOAs (CO)
The Tow Carrier Regulation Bill (HB 24-1051) was recently introduced during the 2024 legislative session. In part, it can potentially adversely impact private and commercial entities, including community associations, that oversee and enforce parking regulations on their property. 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 […]
In high-cost Summit County, soaring HOA fees are squeezing homeowners’ budgets, raising rents and stifling sales (CO)
Fueled in part by a surge in insurance premiums, the heightened fees — coupled with property taxes — continue to challenge Summit’s middle class Read the article…………………………….
After residents spend weeks without water, 65-year-old Denver condo building condemned (CO)
Residents are now out of an 80 unit condominium complex at 1121 Albion Street in Denver after the building was ordered vacated by the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment. Read the article…………………………….
Denver condos deemed unlivable because of lack of water (CO)
The health department said people can’t live in the building because it doesn’t have water. It could be 3 weeks to 6 months before residents can move back in. Read the article…………………………….
Snowmass condominium associations ask town to abandon nearby workforce housing plans (CO)
Several condominium associations in Snowmass Village are asking the town to abandon plans for proposed workforce housing developments near its condos.
Homeowner fights HOA after being told Christmas-themed skeleton display wasn’t ‘seasonally appropriate’ (CO)
Kyle Sarazin fought the law, and this time he won. The Sterling Ranch resident decided to do something different with his Christmas display this year, converting his 12-foot yard skeleton into Santa Claus and turning the smaller skeletons from his Halloween display into Santa’s reindeer. Read the article……………………………
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 […]
State lawmaker calls HOA charges “excessive” following CBS News Colorado investigation
A new law intended to protect HOA residents in Colorado may need some revisions or clarifications according to the sponsor, after a CBS News Colorado investigation revealed one management company charging high fees to send certified letters to HOA residents. Read the article………………………………….
Fire-related insurance challenges to blame for high HOA fees in Colorado, says insurance division
It’s not just rural mountain communities in Colorado that have to worry about wildfire risk anymore, and insurance companies know that. The ability to live so close to nature and open spaces is a big part of why people choose to live in Douglas County. But it’s also the reason the county is in the […]
Colorado homeowners left with more questions than answers about skyrocketing HOA insurance
Homeowners in Castle Rock’s Latigo neighborhood made their voices heard in a meeting over the Homeowner’s Association board’s new budget proposal. We expect to know on Monday whether the community will move forward with their latest budget proposal or if they’ll have to go back to the drawing board. Read the article……………………………
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 […]
Castle Rock community HOA fees skyrocket after insurance premium increases by 600% in Colorado
Homeowners in Castle Rock’s Latigo community, near Metzler Ranch, will see their Homeowner’s Association fees skyrocket in 2024 after the HOA’s insurance premium went up by 600%. The reason behind the increase comes down to high property valuations and Colorado’s extreme weather. Read the article……………………………….
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………………………………
How thirsty bluegrass lawns became the default for homeowners associations in Colorado (CO)
Some Colorado HOAs have started moving the needle, while state legislators prod others into water-wise landscapes; plus, a history of how we arrived at a certain idea of landscape perfection. 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. […]
Aurora HOA’s limits on solar installations “over the top,” residents say (CO)
Dick Cunningham and Walter Rozycki want to do what a lot of other Denver-area homeowners have done: put solar panels on their roofs. But the Aurora residents say their homeowner association board pulled the plug on their plans in defiance of state law. Read the article………………………………
Club Valencia condo owners charged thousands for damage assessments one year after fire (CO)
Club Valencia condo owners are now receiving bills — some more than $2,000 — for damage assessments one year after a fire ripped through the Arapahoe County complex. Read the article………………………….