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DENVER, CO - The House Transportation, Housing & Local Government Committee today passed a bill that would create clear policies and procedures for metropolitan districts to abide by, improving accountability and consistency when enforcing their policies on homeowners. HB24-1267 unanimously passed by a vote of 10-0.
“No one deserves to be forced out of their home over a dead tree in their yard,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “Fines and fees from metro districts over minor violations are ultimately resulting in Coloradans losing their homes due to thousands of dollars worth of charges and attorney fees that Coloradans can’t afford to pay. People with disabilities or elders that live on a fixed income are especially vulnerable. Our legislation would shift to have metro districts and homeowners to work together to settle disputes, protecting Coloradans from being displaced for frivolous reasons.”
“When there is nothing protecting homeowners in metro districts from being consistently fined for small violations, like an unpainted trim or an oil stain in their driveway, they’re vulnerable to losing all of the equity and security they have invested in their home,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “It’s crucial that we keep Coloradans housed, and this bill would help prevent Colorado homeowners from losing their home over resolvable conflicts.”
Starting January 1, 2025, HB24-1267 would prohibit a metro district from foreclosing on a lien based on a resident’s delinquent fees or other charges owed to the metro district. It would also create rules and guidelines for metro districts to comply with when enforcing policies on owners, including:
Requiring metro districts to adopt written policies regarding the imposition and collection of fines,
Prohibiting metro districts from foreclosing on liens based on delinquent fees and requiring residents to use specific flammable roofing or other materials,
Establishing a fair process that gives an owner notice and an opportunity for a hearing, and
Outlining procedures for dispute resolution between metro districts and residents, including mediation and court cases.
HB24-1267 protects residents’ property rights by allowing them to display flags and signs, modify their property to accommodate a person with a disability, park an emergency vehicle in a driveway, remove vegetation for fire mitigation purposes, use a rain barrel, operate a family child care home or install renewable energy devices.