Colorado REALTORS® Announce Legislators of the Year for 2021
ENGLEWOOD, CO. – The Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR), the state’s largest real estate trade association representing more than 29,000 members statewide, named four Colorado policymakers as “Legislators of the Year” for 2021: House Minority Leader Hugh McKean (R-Loveland), House Majority Co-Whip Kyle Mullica (D-Northglenn), Representative Shannon Bird (D-Westminster), and Representative Marc Snyder (D-Manitou Springs).
This group of legislators worked tirelessly to enhance public policy that will provide current and future homeowners with increased access to information that is vital to the homebuying process and increases transparency about property tax obligations and how Colorado spends its housing dollars throughout our state.
“This year marks CAR’s 100th year in service to Colorado’s real estate industry and consumers. We are proud of the relationships we’ve built along the way and the opportunities we’ve had to share our stories with policymakers at the state capitol. REALTORS® take these matters seriously and will continue to do our part to ensure all Coloradans can build wealth through homeownership and continue to enjoy all this beautiful state has to offer. It is an honor to work with our state legislature, especially those that take the time to understand our issues and stand tall for the well-being of Colorado’s economy,” said 2021 CAR Chair Robert Walkowicz.
CAR specifically recognized the efforts made by these legislators for their actions on these bills:
Representatives Mullica, Snyder, and Bird all worked to amend landlord tenant bills (HB 1121 and SB 173), resulting in legislation that promotes a balanced public policy approach between the housing provider and the tenant so that we can all work to sustain and promote the availability of affordable housing for the foreseeable future in Colorado. The representatives also maintained support for consumer transparency of fees in HOA housing transactions with HB 1229, which requires HOAs to provide potential homeowners an updated list of all fees and taxes that it can charge so that no one will be surprised at the closing table with a fee they were not expecting.
Representative Bird also carried one of CAR’s Century of Opportunity pieces of legislation (HB 1028), a bill that requires the Department of Local Affairs to provide an annual public report with information about how we spend our housing dollars in Colorado, including where the housing is located geographically and what type of housing is being funded, whether rental, for sale, or supportive and rapid re-housing. Bird is also a longstanding champion of construction litigation reform.
Minority Leader McKean and Representative Bird sponsored significant legislation to increase transparency for consumers in housing purchases with SB 262, which directs special districts to publish contact information for management officials, budget and property tax financing plans, amenity and improvements, and announcements about upcoming elections to serve on an oversight board associated with living in a special district. This transparency is critical for homebuyers to receive accurate and current information about their property tax obligations before they purchase a home and enables them to be involved in the future governance of their community.
Protecting property rights is recognized as an important link to general prosperity and a cultivator of future economic growth for all Coloradans. REALTORS® guide Coloradans through one of the most significant purchases of their lives – their homes. Colorado REALTORS® work diligently to pursue public policy that builds better communities, preserves our environment, improves real estate practices, and ensures economic vitality.
CAR congratulates the 2021 Legislators of the Year for their legislative efforts to support the American dream of homeownership:
Representative Hugh McKean (R-Loveland). Rep. McKean is the minority leader of the Colorado House of Representatives. First elected in 2017, he is now in his second term after being re-elected in 2020. He sits on the executive committee of the Legislative Council. McKean was a former city councilman in Loveland, CO and has advanced knowledge of housing construction and development issues.
Representative Kyle Mullica (D-Northglenn)
Rep. Mullica is a Business Affairs and Labor Committee member
and House Majority Co-Whip. He has a background in healthcare and property
management as a housing provider. Mullica is also a trauma nurse at
Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center (his career before his legislative
tenure) where he continues to work shifts at the hospital during Covid-19.
Representative Shannon Bird (D-Westminster)
Rep. Bird began her first term in the Colorado House of
Representatives in 2019, where she is on the Business Affairs and Labor
Committee and serves as the Chair of the House Finance Committee. She is an
attorney and former councilwoman for the City of Westminster and has master’s
degrees in Finance and Business Administration.
Representative Marc Snyder (D-Manitou Springs)
Rep. Marc Snyder was elected in 2019 and continues to serve as the
Wildfire Matters Review Committee Chair and Vice-Chair of the House Finance Committee.
He has expertise in city planning, special districts, mortgage, and appraiser
issues. He is a former mayor and city councilman for Manitou Springs. Snyder is
an attorney, specializing in trust and estate law for families with
disabilities.
About the Colorado Association of REALTORS®
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® is the state’s largest real estate trade association that represents more than 29,000 members statewide. The association supports private property rights, equal housing opportunities, and is the “Voice of Real Estate” in Colorado. For more information, visit www.ColoradoREALTORS.com.