3-2-1 Capitol Connection – January 16, 2025

3 Things to Know

1. 56 REALTORS® from nearly 20 different Local Associations serve on the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR) 2025 Legislative Policy Committee (LPC). They will review more than 100 bills over the course of the 120-day legislative session that ends on May 7^th. The LPC is the official body to take Association positions on legislation impacting REALTORS® and/or real estate which you can track HERE. This bill sheet is updated weekly.
2. The 2024 elections resulted in 30 new legislators out of the 100 in Colorado’s General Assembly (65 House members, 35 Senate members). 7 of the 8 “new” state Senators moved over from serving in the House. Since then, there have been vacancies resulting in 3 new state Senators and a vacancy committee will fill the House District 41 seat on January 22^nd. You can find your legislators HERE
3. Nearly half (48%) of Colorado’s registered voters are *not* affiliated with a party! (aka Independent) As of January 1^st, 23% are registered Republican and 26% registered as Democrats. No longer is Colorado considered a 1/3-1/3-1/3 state in terms of party affiliation.

2 Things to Share

1. Last year, the legislature passed SB24-205 “Consumer Protections for Artificial Intelligence” with the intent to prevent algorithmic discrimination including related to housing. However, the bill could punish any REALTOR® who uses an identity verification system, such as FOREWARN, and expose them to significant harm. CAR is working to fix this issue before the bill takes effect in 2026 and make sure REALTORS® can work safely.
2. When talking with clients, friends or anyone, let them know REALTORS® brokered the deal for real property tax relief during a special session last August. We lowered the assessment rate, fought off amendments to limit tax relief for only certain residential properties, and have stopped the wild property tax hikes experienced by so many in recent years. While property taxes could increase if a property value increases, no more dramatic hikes. With a cap on annual property tax growth, property owners should finally have relatively stable property tax bills based on market conditions going forward.

1 Thing to Do

1. Open the messaging app on your phone and in the subject area, type “realtors” (not case sensitive) then text it to the number 30644. This will subscribe you to receive text alerts, or formally REALTOR® Party Mobile Alerts, about urgent news or action you can take to make a difference on public policies affecting you or your business! This system is used only by CAR and NAR and your number isn’t going to be shared with any outside group or campaign. Just ask a current subscriber and they can attest.

REALTOR® Political Action Committee (RPAC)

Start the year off by showing your Colorado pride in making a Colorado Share investment of $38! We became the 38^th (and best) state back on August 1, 1876, so invest in the political work REALTORS® do to make Colorado great, or better, on real estate, homeownership and property rights issues. Also, anyone who invests $300 before March 31^st as part of their pledge to become a Major Investor, and complete their $1000 total investment by December, will not only receive their Major Investor pin from NAR but also a custom CO RPAC Major Investor lanyard to show off at all your meetings, conferences, or events. (lanyard image) Click HERE to invest in RPAC.

Questions?

Feel free to contact us at [email protected].