Capitol Connection: February 20, 2015
REALTOR® Day was a success!
Thank you so much to everyone who attended REALTOR® Day at the Capitol this past Tuesday. We had over 200 attendees from across the state, and had a very successful day speaking with our legislators. We’d like to thank special guest US Senator Cory Gardner for being our speaker. We would also like to extend sincere appreciation to Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman and members from Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams’ office for joining us at our luncheon.
In addition, we’d like to thank the legislators who joined us at the luncheon:
- Representative Jon Becker
- Representative Perry Buck
- Representative Kathleen Conti
- Representative Don Coram
- Representative Steve Lebsock
- Representative Paul Lundeen
- Representative Patrick Neville
We are also very grateful to those elected officials who made time out of their very busy day to come speak to us in the Old Supreme Court Chambers:
- Senate Majority Leader Mark Scheffel
- Senator Nancy Todd
- Senator Jessie Ulibarri
- House Majority Leader Crisanta Duran
- House Minority Leader Brian DelGrosso
- Representative Joann Ginal
- And especially, Governor John Hickenlooper!
CALL FOR ACTION- Support Senate Bill 177
Earlier this week, CAR sent out a Call for Action to urge your State Legislators to SUPPORT SB15-177, HOA Construction Defect Lawsuit Approval Timelines. SB-177 is bipartisan legislation seeking to increase transparency and ensure timely repairs of construction issues. If you did not receive this email, or you would like to be able to forward this alert to your colleagues/clients/etc., please click here.
In an effort to clarify a few misconceptions about this legislation, we’d like to address some of the questions and concerns we’ve received. This legislation does not prevent an individual unit owner, or unit owners, from entering litigation with a builder over a construction defect. What it does prevent is the full HOA entering into a class-action lawsuit without approval from the homeowners that they represent. We fully believe victims of legitimate defects should be made whole, but there are avenues, other than through timely and costly litigation, to seek remedies. Entering into litigation can delay needed repairs, as well as prevent financing for current homeowners wishing to sell, current homeowners wishing to refinance, and prospective buyers who will need financing to purchase.
CAR is a member of the Homeownership Opportunity Alliance (HOA), a coalition of local elected officials and business groups throughout the state working for reasonable reform to open doors to attainable homeownership.
If you have any stories or testimonials of buyers who could not purchase, owners who could not sell, or owners who could not refinance because their property was encumbered by litigation, please let us know at GovAffairs@coloradorealtors.com.
Senate Bill 64 Passed Through the Senate
SB15-064, Application of State Water Law to Federal Agencies, passed the Senate on third reading this week. It will be introduced in the House soon. The bill would require the Federal Government to comply by Colorado State Water Law. LPC took a position of SUPPORT because there have been many issues previously with regards to this, and they see this as a way to help avoid some of the problems between the two levels of government that have happened before. We will keep you apprised as it makes its way through the State House.
Transit Alliance Spring 2015 Citizen’s Academy
The Transit Alliance is hosting their annual spring 2015 Citizen’s Academy from April 1, 2015-May 16, 2015. This is a great opportunity to discuss transportation, community development, and sustainability in Colorado. The class is limited, so please get your applications in to take part! More information, as well as the application, can be found here, and the deadline for applying is Friday, March 13th at 5PM.
NEW LEGISLATORS
Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing you to the New Legislators in the 70th General Assembly.
John Cooke, Republican, represents Senate District 13. He and his wife live in Greeley. He most recently served as the Weld County Sheriff for 12 years. Senator Cooke served in the United States Army National Guard for six years. He was appointed to the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Transportation Committee.
Kerry Donovan, Democrat, comes from Senate District 5. She is a resident of Vail, and most recently was the Director of Academics for the Vail Ski and Snowboard Club. Senator Donovan served on the Vail Town Council for a four-year term. She is a member of the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Energy Committee as well as the Local Government Committee.
Beth Martinez Humenik, Republican, is from Senate District 24. She has lived in Thornton since 1997. She served on the City of Thornton Council, Denver Regional Council of Governments Board, and Colorado Municipal League. She was appointed to the Health and Human Services Committee and the Local Government Committee.
Michael Merrifield, Democrat, hails from Senate District 11. He lives in downtown Colorado Springs and is a retired teacher. Senator Merrifield was on the Manitou Springs City Council and served as the State Representative for District 18 for 8 years. He serves on the Education Committee and the Judiciary Committee.
Tim Neville, Republican, represents Senate District 16. He and his wife live in Littleton, and he formerly served in the Colorado Senate. He and his wife manage a small business. Senator Neville is the chairman of the Finance Committee, and serves on the Business, Labor and Technology Committee, Education Committee, and Legislative Audit Committee.
Laura Woods, Republican, comes from Senate District 19. She and her husband live in Arvada. Senator Woods has owned a small business since 1992 and is a former court reporter. She has been appointed to the Business, Labor and Technology Committee, Education Committee, and Appropriations Committee.
