The Secretary of State recently announced that they have added password protection for business owners and filers to safeguard against identity theft. When association’s file their annual reports online, filers now have the option to create their own password. Read More...

As we all know, Colorado requires all board meetings to be open to attendance by owners within the community, unless the board goes into executive session.  We get a lot of questions from boards and managers about whether specific topics are appropriate for executive session.  Colorado law (C.R.S. Read More...

As we are in the middle of annual meeting season for many communities, it may be helpful to review the budgeting process that you are required to follow.  Budgeting is the process of reviewing your association’s anticipated income and establishing planned expenditures for the upcoming year.  The Read More...

One of the most unpleasant things that can happen during an annual homeowner meeting is an argument between two or more passionate and unhappy owners.  When owners start arguing with each other, particularly when they start making unpleasant personal statements about each other, a meeting can quick Read More...

If your community’s declaration is silent as to interior alterations of units, did you know that Section 211(a) of CCIOA authorizes owners to make improvements or alterations to their units without seeking board approval?Specifically, Section 211(a) authorizes owners in post-CCIOA communities (com Read More...

You’ve, no doubt, heard the terms “policies, procedures, rules, regulations” and “resolutions” used many times in the industry.  But have you ever wondered what all these different terms mean and whether there is a difference as to which term you use?  Despite popular belief, there are s Read More...

An unpublished decision in a lower California court recently upheld a community association’s attempt to charge substantial extra fees to owners who rent out their units. Stating that they were acting in accordance with the authority granted in the association’s governing documents, the board Read More...

A North Carolina homeowners association recently discovered it is not immune from theft despite its efforts to minimize the risk of embezzlement. The Parkwood Homeowners Association lost between $150,000 and $200,000 over a 2 ½ year period when it discovered its office administrator was using debi Read More...

Have you ever wondered when an association legally comes into existence?  Is it when the first home is built, or is it when the development plan is approved by the County?  The correct answer is neither.  According to Section 201 of CCIOA, a common interest community legally comes into existence Read More...

One of the things presidents fear most about chairing their annual meetings is when emotional homeowners raise a subject that is not part of the agenda.  This action could, if not properly handled, start the spiral that sends a meeting out of control.  As the meeting chair, how should you handle t Read More...