April 04, 2022 03:17 PM UTC

What you can do to fight for progress this week (April 4)

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

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Homeowners associations (HOAs) are supposed to protect the interests of homeowners. But as we’ve seen recently in the news headlines about Green Valley Ranch, sometimes HOAs can lose sight of their mission and actually become oppressive to the families they were meant to serve. [1]

Homeowners statewide are experiencing foreclosures due to HOA fees that exploded after predatory attorneys were hired to doggedly collect from people who were already struggling during the pandemic. HOAs are sometimes assessing fees against Colorado home owners without the home owner’s knowledge.

New legislation up for debate in the Colorado House will increase protections for homeowners by requiring that HOAs verify homeowners receive notice of assessments via certified mail AND two additional contact points such as email or text message. The bill places a limit on the fees homeowners can be assessed over a period of 90 days. The goal is to allow homeowners to address an HOA’s concerns without worrying about ballooning fines that quickly become unmanageable.

Help us pass this important legislation right now with a quick call to Colorado lawmakers.

Finally, under the terms of the Homeowners’ Association Board Accountability And Transparency bill, HOAs can’t sell a home for less than 80 percent of its market value, ensuring homeowners don’t lose all their equity in the event their home is sold due to unpaid HOA fees.

House Bill 22-1137, Homeowners’ Association Board Accountability And Transparency, will be heard in the House Local Government and Transportation Committee on Wednesday, April 13. Take a moment right now to contact members of this committee and urge them to put in place sensible protections for homeowners from overzealous and predatory HOAs.

Thanks for your help to protect Colorado homeowners! Here are a few more ways to make a difference for the week of April 4, 2022:

Colorado Consumer Health Initiative: Health Care Day of Action Pt. 2

Join us for the 2nd part of this year’s Health Care Day of Action as we walk you through the lobbying process and guide you through it at the state Capitol!

When: Tuesday, April 5 at 9:00am
Where: Colorado State Capitol, Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Protest to Cancel Colorado’s Dangerous Election Deniers

Trump’s right hand man Mike Lindell is coming to Colorado to support Colorado’s most extreme candidates who are running on baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen. Lindell is coming to Colorado to support insurrectionist Ron Hanks and Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters who has been indicted by a grand jury for breaching election security. Come to the Colorado State Capitol to protest their election conspiracy rally and stand for democracy!

When: Tuesday, April 5 at 12:00pm
Where: Colorado State Capitol, Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Rally for a Coal Free Colorado

Calling all clean air, environmental justice, and climate activists! Any day now, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission will decide to approve or reject Xcel Energy’s latest proposal to burn coal at Colorado’s biggest coal plant for 12 more years! Colorado communities can’t afford 12 more years of coal pollution. Please join us in front of Xcel Energy’s Colorado Headquarters to tell Xcel Energy we need a coal-free Colorado ASAP!

When: Friday, April 8 at 12:00pm
Where: 1800 Larimer St., Denver

Click here to RSVP.

History Colorado: People Pride & Promise: The Story of the Dockum Sit-In with Prisca Barnes

In July 1958, Black students gathered at downtown Wichita’s Dockum Drugstore to stage a peaceful protest against the unequal practice of segregation. Tired of being denied access to the city’s movie theaters and restaurants, students took action and turned their attention to the lunch counter at the popular drugstore. People Pride & Promise tells the untold story of the first youth-led lunch counter sit-in that revolutionized the Civil Rights Movement. Through a visual presentations, visitors of “People, Pride, and Promise” will get to know the little-known story of the Dockum Sit-in. Attendees will then hear from author Prisca Barnes and view a presentation on the Sit-In. A book signing will take place after the event.

When: Friday, April 8 at 6:30pm
Where: History Colorado, 1200 Broadway, Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Colorado Sierra Club: (Virtual) Conservation Activist Training

Calling all conservation enthusiasts! Join us for a morning of education, community, and action. During this event, you’ll network with Sierra Club members and supporters across the state, learn about our conservation priorities and program, and most importantly- take action!

When: Sunday, April 10 at 9:00am

Click here to RSVP.

We’ll see you next week with more ways to take action. Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Sara Loflin, Executive Director