City Officials, Law Firm Help HOAs Comply with Legislation

June 28, 2005
By J.C. O’Connell
The Aurora Daily sun & Sentinel

Aurora | The city will team up with a law firm on June 28 to help homeowner associations comply with a recently passed legislation that limits HOA powers.

After a tumultuous journey through state legislature, Gov. Bill Owens signed Senate Bill 100, referred to by backers as the homeowners' bill of rights, on June 6.

HOAs can no longer forbid xeriscaping, flying the American flag, parking volunteer fire vehicles at homes or expressing political opinions with yard signs.

The act also requires homeowners associations to alert members to meetings, make financial records available, and undergo a review or audit every two years.

"It will finally mean a balance of power between HOAs and homeowners," said Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora.

Attorneys from Orten & Hindman will lead a workshop covering changes to parking policies, landscaping requirements, political signs, flags, payment of attorney fees when a dispute goes through litigation and other requirements included in the 28-page bill.

"We believe education is the way to make homeowner associations a great place to live," said Saskia Derhing, one of the lawyers who will take questions after the two-hour presentation.

The city's Neighborhood Services Department moved the event from a smaller room to city council chambers to seat more than 200 who plan to attend. To attend the 5 p.m. meeting at city hall, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, call 303-432-9999.

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