CAR Responds to Article on Mandatory Meth Testing

Dear Editor,

As advocates of safe and affordable housing for all Coloradoans, the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR) and our members understand and agree that methamphetamine contaminated homes can pose serious health risks to occupants and homeowners, and should be tested and remediated to ensure all future homeowners and their families are safe. CAR works tirelessly to protect a buyer’s right to inspect and test a property for anything they choose. Their ability to do so is why a mandatory test is unnecessary. In fact, the Association did not oppose Sen. Tochtrops’ bill last year, nor will we again this year. Your article makes a representation to the contrary but neither bill covers mandatory point of sale testing and we have not been part of the bill drafting process.

We applaud the idea of providing government agencies with the ability to regulate the training of people to assess contamination and certify whether a property has been correctly remediated. While CAR agrees homes that were previously contaminated by meth pose serious health threats to future occupants and their families, we believe there are sufficient mandatory measures in place and options available for consumers’ to make sure their next home is safe. This year’s legislation should improve the verification of clean-up standards, which will help ensure properties are being properly remediated.

Keith Kanemoto
2013 CAR President