Colorado Association of REALTORS® Names 2019 Legislators of the Year
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR), the state’s largest real estate trade association representing more than 26,500 members statewide, recently honored four Colorado elected officials with its prestigious Legislator of the Year Award recognizing their positive impact on the state’s real estate industry, protection of consumers, and consideration of Colorado’s natural resources in the 2019 legislative session.
“A REALTOR® Champion is a leader who’s approachable, eager to listen and ultimately, stands up for REALTOR® priority issues,” says 2019 CAR Chairman of the Board, Justin Knoll. “CAR has had the honor of working with many state legislators who exhibit these principles and these four honorees truly exemplify those Champion traits and accomplishments.”
The new democratic majorities that resulted from 2018 elections made for a challenging legislative session for the business community to navigate. By many accounts, 2019 was seen as an intense and emotionally charged session that significantly impacted all Coloradans. However, Colorado REALTORS® worked diligently to pursue public policy and educate policymakers on how potential legislation could affect Colorado homeowners, small business owners, property rights, the housing industry, and the state’s economic vitality.
Preparation is in full swing for Colorado’s business community with the start of the new year around the corner. Knoll adds, “To Senator Holbert, Senator Bridges, Representative McCluskie, and Representative Duran, we have greatly enjoyed working with each of you and look forward to continuing our work together at the state capitol. We extend our sincerest gratitude to you for your devotion to serve the state of Colorado.”
2019 CAR Legislator of the Year honorees include:
Senator Chris Holbert (R-Centennial)
Senator Chris Holbert sponsored House Bill 1167 (Remote Notarization) in the 2019 legislative session. If passed, House Bill 1167 would have protected consumers by prohibiting the use of personal information collected during the notary process for any purpose other than completing the notarial act or to process the transaction for which the information was originally provided. In today’s digital economy, data privacy is a very important component in our day to day activities as REALTORS® and for the clients we represent due to the level of sensitive and personal information that is exchanged in a real estate transaction.
Senator Holbert serves as Minority Leader of the State Senate and has represented Senate District 30 since 2015, which includes the communities of Parker, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Roxborough Park, Louviers, Sedalia, Castle Pines North, and Surrey Ridge in northern and western Douglas County.
Senator Jeff Bridges (D-Greenwood Village)
When Senate Bill 225 was introduced, CAR jumped to action and reached out to Colorado’s State Senators. It was Senator Jeff Bridges who took the time to listen and understand industry concerns. He was instrumental in helping lead the charge to prevent the bill from passing. Senator Bridges also helped maintain a Colorado policy environment that protects both renters and property owners. When he shared CAR’s message with his fellow state legislators, common ground became reality and therefore, was able to place critical single-family amendments on the landlord-tenant bills related to the time period to cure a lease violation, and warranty of habitability.
Senator Bridges was first elected in 2016 and currently represents Senate District 26, covering a portion of Arapahoe County, after a vacancy committee appointed him to the seat early this year. Prior to his appointment, Bridges served in the Colorado House of Representatives, representing District 3.
Representative Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon)
Representative McCluskie worked tirelessly to ensure Colorado residents have more adequate risk mitigation resources to protect not just their property, but the lives of Colorado families, firefighters, and emergency personnel. House Bill 1006 was introduced in the 2019 legislative session, establishing a state grant program to fund proactive forest management and fuel reduction projects to reduce the impacts of wildfires to life, property, and critical infrastructure. The bill provides $1 million to the State Forest Service at Colorado State University (CSU) to administer the program.
With her outreach efforts and work on the Wildfire Matters Interim Committee, Representative McCluskie continues to work on modifying the wildfire risk mitigation grant program to increase funding, allow lower-income communities the opportunity to participate in the program at a lower match, and expand the list of participants who can apply.
Representative McCluskie represents House District 61, which includes Delta, Gunnison, Lake Pitkin, and Summit.
Representative Monica Duran (D-Wheat Ridge)
In the House, Representative Monica Duran championed the CAMs bill (House Bill 1212) and remote notarization legislation (House Bill 1167) in the 2019 legislative session. House Bill 1212 would have recreated the Homeowners’ Association Community Manager Licensing program under the Division of Real Estate, however, was vetoed by the Governor in late May after successfully passing through the House and Senate. The program sunset on July 1, 2018.
Monica Duran is a first-year Representative in Colorado’s State House. She represents House District 24, which includes the communities of Golden, West Pleasant View, Applewood, Fairmount, Wheat Ridge, and Edgewater.