Colorado Concern 

February 9, 2015

Colorado Concern in the News

 

Tamra Ward

After much behind the scenes work, legislation focused on improving the state statues that govern the process utilized by homeowners and development professionals when an issue or dispute arises around construction will be introduced in the Colorado General Assembly tomorrow.

 

Colorado is experiencing a lack of multifamily product in the for-sale arena due to the current law, which encourages litigation, causing developers and builders to step away from constructing this product and instead focus on apartment construction.  While apartments are an important piece of the housing mix, for-sale product is not only wanted, but also needed as a key ingredient in creating a vibrant and thriving community.   

 

The long-anticipated bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Sens. Mark Scheffel (R) and Jessie Ulibarri (D), will begin its journey in the Senate.  Representative Jonathan Singer (D) and House Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso (R) will lead the effort in the House of Representatives.

 

Addressing this issue is a strategic priority of Colorado Concern.  We are a founding member of the Homeownership Opportunity Alliance (HOA), a coalition of more than 50 organizations representing affordable housing advocates, business and economic development groups and industry trade associations bound together in our fight to better the law and grow our multifamily housing market.  The 41 elected leaders who are members of the Metro Mayors Caucus also are engaged on behalf of their local communities.

 

The legislation specifically would establish:

  • Alternative dispute resolution - mediation or arbitration - as the preferred pathway for resolution of construction issues, instead of filing a lawsuit.  Additionally, the bill states that if ADR was required by the association's governing documents when the alleged construction issue occurred, then the dispute should be resolved using that process instead of filing a lawsuit.
  • Majority vote of all association homeowners before legal action can go forward, putting an end to a handful of owners or the association board deciding to proceed with costly and time-consuming litigation that impacts all owners within a community.
  • Disclosures to all homeowners providing detailed information on:
    • Nature and scope of the proposed litigation - and the relief sought;
    • Estimated costs to the association, including any special assessments on members or use of the association's reserve funds;
    • Expected impact on values of units included in the legal action, and
    • Expected impact on values of units not included in the legal action - including the effects on refinancing and prospective buyers gaining mortgage financing.

The debate around this legislation will be heated.  Your voice will be critical in helping our elected leaders understand the importance of passing this measure.  We will get back to you, asking you to utilize our ENGAGE system, communicating directly with key legislators, in the coming weeks.

 

Should you have questions about this bill, or any other measure before the Colorado General Assembly, please don't hesitate to contact me at tamra@coloradoconcern.com.


 

Warmly,

Tamra  

Tamra

Colorado Concern Legislative Tracking

 

Click here to find out what legislation Colorado Concern is tracking. The report includes links to bill text, sponsors, Colorado Concern's positions, bill status, and additional notes.

 

Click here download the Colorado Concern At a Glance Status Sheet for quick tracking of Colorado Concern's bills of interest.

Colorado Concern Upcoming Events
 

Below is information on upcoming Colorado Concern events.  

Click here for more information or to register to attend events.

 

Monday, March 2: Colorado Concern Annual Membership Luncheon Featuring Governor John Hickenlooper

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Carriage House at the Governor's Mansion, 400 E. 8th Avenue.

Thursday, April 7: Colorado Concern Membership Networking Lunch Co-Hosted by David McReynolds and Blair Richardson

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Colorado Concern, 140 East. 19th Avenue, Suite 400

 


Colorado Concern News Clips

 

Development/Real Estate

Denver Post: February 1

 

Denver Post: February 1

 

Denver Post: February 3

 

Denver Business Journal: February 5

 

Denver Business Journal: February 6

 

Denver Business Journal: February 6

 

Economy/Economic Development

Denver Post: February 3

 

Denver Business Journal: February 4

 

Vectra forecast: Colorado economy doing well, but changes ahead

Denver Business Journal: February 5

 

Colorado small businesses dominate state's economy

Denver Business Journal: February 5

 

Education

Colorado kindergartners have lowest measles vaccination rate in the nation

Denver Post: February 4

 

Study: Finishing college a growing divide between rich, poor

Denver Post: February 4

 

Denver Post: February 6

 

Hilker: Colorado legislature should leave school testing alone

The Denver Post: February 8

 

Elections/Politics

House Republicans choose Lawrence, Buck to fill leadership posts

The Colorado Statesman: February 2

 

Denver Post: February 2

 

Denver Post: February 2

 

Denver City Council beats back attempt to let voters decide 10 percent raises

Denver Post: February 3

 

Mayor Hancock: Second term would focus on extending "city of opportunity"

Denver Post: February 4

 

Meet the Top 50 Donors Who Influenced Ballot Measures

TIME: February 5

 

Top political donor of 2014 pushed for Colorado racetrack casino

Denver Business Journal: February 5

 

Colorado bill on business impact statements returns with legislative backing

Denver Business Journal: February 5

 

Labor/Employment

Denver Business Journal: February 2

 

ABC News: February 4

 

Denver Business Journal: February 5

 

Energy

Denver Business Journal: January 30

 

Denver Post: February 2

 

Denver Business Journal: February 2

 

Denver Post: February 3

 

Colorado oil, gas task force votes yes on increased local control

Denver Post: February 4

 

Senate Republicans slash renewable energy standards on initial vote

Denver Post: February 4

 

Denver Post: February 4

 

Denver Post: February 4

 

Denver Post: February 5

 

Denver Post: February 6

 

Co-ops don't hobble energy development

The Denver Post: February 8

 

General Business

Residents cheer Denver's National Western plan, but concerns persist

Denver Post: February 1

 

Denver Post: February 2

 

Colorado lawmakers hear seven gun bills Monday

Denver Post: February 3

 

Pat Bowlen, Klaus Obermeyer join Colorado Business Hall of Fame

Denver Post: February 6

 

Health Care

Denver Post: February 2

 

Veterans Affairs hospital director in Denver retiring

Denver Post: February 4

 

Denver Post: February 5

 

Denver Business Journal: February 6

 

Colorado health insurance exchange needs $2.8M to handle call volume

Denver Post: February 6

 

Immigration

JBC ensures roads will be full of unlicensed drivers

The Denver Post: February 5

 

Denver Post: February 5

 

Marijuana

Stop making Colorado kids lab rats for pot

The Denver Post: February 3

 

Denver Post: February 3

 

Marijuana Revenue In Colorado Is So Phenomenally High, The State Might Return Some

Bustle: February 4

 

Colorado GOP tries to ban 'welfare for weed' against Democrats' wishes

Washington Times: February 8

 

TABOR

With taxpayer refunds in view, Colorado lawmakers debate TABOR

Denver Post: February 6

 

Taxes

Bill to examine tax credits' effectiveness unnerves Colorado business leaders

Denver Business Journal: February 5

 

Transportation

Denver Post: February 1

 

Denver Business Journal: January 30

 

Denver Business Journal: February 1

 

Denver Business Journal: February 3

 

Denver Post: February 3

 

Denver Business Journal: February 4

 

Denver Post: February 5

 

DIA hotel project right on track, officials say

Denver Post: February 5

 

Denver Post: February 6

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