VanEd - Real Estate School News

Colorado Division of Real Estate to host an HOA Forum - Dispute Resolution

This forum will focus on the use of alternative dispute resolution (mediation and arbitration) in HOAs.  Mediation can assist HOAs and their members with resolving issues in a meaningful way and avoid going to court.  This forum will stress the benefits of mediation and how it can be effective in your community.

Forum Benefits

• Attend a forum to learn about the Colorado HOA Information and Resource Center and meet the HOA Information Officer, Shanneyvie Johnson. 
• You will have the opportunity to voice your questions and concerns regarding HOAs. 
• At the forums, helpful resources will be provided alongside a discussion of the rights and obligations of living in an HOA community. Topics and locations change monthly.

Attend Live or Sign-up for the Webcast

Seating is limited, please RSVP to: [email protected], or go to the Division’s Events Calendar and click on the registration link located in the event details for a live webcast.  

Webcast Signup

 

Get a Colorado Real Estate License

Community Association Manager Continuing Education Audits Set to Begin in February

Beginning in February 2018, a random selection of Community Association Managers (CAMs) will receive an e-mail notification that their Colorado continuing education compliance for the license period from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 is being audited. If you receive the notification, you need to follow the instructions outlined in the e-mail and respond as quickly as possible. The Division of Real Estate conducts random education audits throughout each year to ensure that all licensees are compliant with the continuing education rules.

Community Association Managers that are part of the audit will need to submit copies of their July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 continuing education certificates for the required eight (8) credit hours, or proof that the licensee has successfully passed the Colorado Law portion of the CAM examination within that period (See CAM Rule B-2). Continuing education delinquencies are enforced by random audits and can be disciplined with fines, remedial coursework, and other sanctions.

If you have completed your required course credits but are unable to locate a copy of your certificate(s), you are responsible for contacting the school or provider who you took the course from for copies. 

The Division of Real Estate will not contact providers to verify compliance.

Please note that pursuant to CAM Rule B-10, licensees must retain proof of continuing education completion for four (4) years, and provide said proof to the Director of the Division of Real Estate upon request.

A complete list of licensees included in the audit will be posted on the Division of Real Estate’s Community Association Manager webpage. Licensees will be listed by license number only. If your license number APPEARS on the list and you have received the audit e-mail, you are required to comply. If your license number IS NOT on the list, you are not being audited.

ONLY LICENSEES WHO RECEIVE E-MAIL NOTIFICATION AND ARE ON THE POSTED LIST ARE BEING AUDITED. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE E-MAIL AND ARE NOT ON THE POSTED WEBSITE LIST, YOU DO NOT NEED TO COMPLY WITH AN AUDIT AT THIS TIME.

Please be advised that continuing education audits are not a one-time event, but are performed by the Division on an annual basis, and without advance notice.

Colorado DRE Answers: Can I put up Holiday Lights in my Common Interest Community (HOA)?

Ed Note:  The following information on Wanting to express yourself in your common interest community? (HOA) was presented in the Fall Newsletter from the Colorado Division of Real Estate. The Division can be reached online by clicking here.

 

It is that time of the year when many homeowners want to express their holiday spirit with signage, flags, decorations and lighting galore. But that enthusiasm may be tempered by the community where you live.

Holiday Decorations and Lighting in Your HOA   If you reside in a common interest community (commonly referred to as a homeowners’ association or HOA), there may be restrictions on what type of decorations that you can put up, how bright those illuminations can appear, when they can be turned on, when they must be turned off, when you can put them up, and when they must be removed from the property. In addition, there will no doubt be different restrictions on having Halloween and Christmas decorations exhibited in condominium property versus single-family homes, and on common versus private property within the community. First, look to your HOA’s governing documents – the covenants/declarations, and rules and regulations.   Are there any restrictions in those documents that set the time period in which the decorations can be put up, and when they must be removed? Are there rules that set the time of the day that the lights can be illuminated? Are there any safety rules in place having to do with displays, cords, and electrical outlet usage? What rules are in place limiting decorations in common areas of the community or the use of common area electrical outlets? What rules are in place limiting decorations in limited common elements of the community, for instance on a condominium deck? Are there any rules pertaining to what might be considered “offensive” decorations? What rules may cover display noise and other “nuisance” factors? Still unsure? If you are still unsure on what you can display in your community, contact your board of director members, your community association manager, and your neighbors (just so that you do not get on their bad side with your extravagant and frightening “Zombie” display or your over-exuberant “Griswold Christmas display”).   Always consider safety   Pay extra attention to displays and cords that can create trip hazards, the overloading of electrical circuit breakers, and any other fire hazards that can affect other community owners in adjoining units or homes.   Finally remember  HOA’s can take enforcement action against an owner who does not follow the rules, and that would surely put a damper on the artistic expression of your Holiday spirit. Please check with your association first before you spend all of your energy on planning and putting up your decorations.

CAM License Renewal Date in Colorado is today, June 30th!

Community association manager license renewal period ends today!

If you fail to renew your license by 5 pm MST, June 30th you will need to reinstate your license.

• You may reinstate your license up to one year from the date of license expiration.
• The renewal fee for reinstatement is one and one-half the regular renewal fee.
• If you fail to reinstate your license you will be required to apply as a new applicant. 

Remember: You cannot practice as a community association manager unless you are currently licensed.

The Division's online license management services site simplified

The Division's online license management site has been simplified, and now includes more prevalent links to the most utilized online functions the division offers both consumers and licensees.  

At the login screen Users can find both user guides for the licensing system along with a quick link to the Division's main website.  As well, you will find three new buttons for:

• easy licensee searches,
• filing a compliant, and
• creating licensee rosters of active licensees. 

Your new licensee account screen will provide you with links to renew and activate or inactivate your license. 

To Renew you may go to the Division of Real Estate eLicense login page using the link below!

https://apps.colorado.gov/dre/licensing/Default.aspx

Continuing Education for Colorado Community Association Managers

Community Association Managers (CAM)

For the period leading up to June 30th, 2016, the Division of Real Estate did not require CAM license holders to complete any additional education beyond the pre-licensing education. Completion of the pre-licensing education in the same initial licensing period when the license was approved satisfied the continuing education requirements for that initial licensing period.

Moving forward - July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017

• Individuals must complete eight (8) hours of continuing education in approved subjects per year, or successfully pass the Colorado Law portion of the community association manager licensing examination. 

• You must complete your continuing education prior to renewing an active license, to activate an inactive license or to reinstate an expired license to active status.

• Licensees must retain proof of continuing education completion certificates for a minimum of four (4) years and provide proof of completion to the Division upon the Director’s request. Note: VanEd maintains all course completion certificates indefinitely inside student's accounts.

Community Association Manager continuing education is now available online. Learn more about VanEd's discounted package! 

CAM License Holders are required to complete 8 hours of approved continuing education each year between July 1st and June 30th. VanEd CAM CE courses are also approved for real estate continuing education credit in Colorado. Our first CAM CE Package is now available online at http://vaned.co/CAMCE and CAM licensees are encouraged to complete their education requirements early.

Visit the VanEd Community Association Manager Continuing Education Webpage to view a list of all courses approved for CAM continuing education credit. You can find this information on our site at http://www.vaned.com/CAM. 

Colorado HOA Legislative update from the Division of Real Estate

HOA legislation and its effects on you

Keep up to date on the upcoming legislative session and any potential legislation that will affect those who live and own property in HOAs. This forum will be held December 14, at 10 am in room 110-D at the DORA offices, located at 1560 Broadway in Denver. Seating is limited so sign up now!

Sign-up for this forum or others forums you wish to attend

(Note: The link requires an email to the DRE be sent with your registration requests and details. Calendar Information is below.)

Real Estate - Public

This forum will focus on HOA Legislation, as well as general HOA Q&A session. Location: Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) 1560 Broadway Ave., Main Floor Suite 110-D, Denver, CO 80202   Free Event to the Public - Seats limited to 30 Please RSVP to: gary.kujawski@s​tate.co.us

 

 

Colorado Division of Real Estate Issues timely HOA Consumer Advisory on Political Signs

Question: Can a homeowner in an HOA place political signs in their yard or at their condominium in Colorado?

Yes, there are laws that protect a homeowner’s right in a common interest community (commonly known as an HOA) to place political signs on their property, notes the Division of Real Estate at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).  

With election day ahead on Tuesday, Nov. 8, homeowners have already been posting political signs in their neighborhoods. Homeowner Associations need to follow the Colorado statutory conditions allowing homeowners to express their political expression during this election season.

The Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act (CCIOA), addresses this issue in Section 38-33.3-106.5, C.R.S., entitled “Prohibitions contrary to public policy - patriotic and political expression...”.

A political sign is defined in this statute as “a sign that carries a message intended to influence the outcome of an election, including supporting or opposing the election of a candidate, the recall of a public official, or the passage of a ballot issue”.

In summary, this law states that notwithstanding any provision in the declaration, bylaws, or rules and regulations of the association to the contrary, an association shall not prohibit the display of a political sign by the owner or occupant of a unit on property within the boundaries of the unit or in a window of the unit; however, the association may prohibit the display of political signs earlier than forty-five (45) days before the day of an election and later than seven (7) days after an election day. 

In addition, the association may regulate the size and number of political signs.
Those regulations allow the HOA to only permit at least one (1) political sign per political office or ballot issue that is contested in a pending election. 

Also, the HOA can set the maximum dimensions of each sign, which may be limited to the lesser of the maximum size allowed by any applicable city, town, or county ordinance that regulates the size of political signs on residential property, or thirty-six (36) inches by forty-eight (48) inches. 

For more information about living in an HOA and your rights as homeowners, please visit the Division of Real Estate’s HOA Information and Resource Center website at dora.colorado.gov/dre. 

The HOA Office registers and collects information concerning HOAs, including an HOA’s contact information, and handles consumer inquiries and complaints from homeowners. The HOA Office provides assistance and information to homeowners, HOA boards, declarants and other interested parties concerning their rights and responsibilities pursuant to the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act (“CCIOA”).

Continuing Education is now Available for Colorado Community Association Managers

Community Association Managers (CAM)

For the period leading up to June 30th, 2016, the Division of Real Estate did not require CAM license holders to complete any additional education beyond the pre-licensing education. Completion of the pre-licensing education in the same initial licensing period when the license was approved satisfied the continuing education requirements for that initial licensing period.

Moving forward after June 30, 2016

• Individuals must complete eight (8) hours of continuing education in approved subjects per year; or successfully pass the Colorado Law portion of the community association manager licensing examination. 

• You must complete your continuing education prior to renewing an active license, to activate an inactive license or to reinstate an expired license to active status.

• Licensees must retain proof of continuing education completion certificates for a minimum of four (4) years and provide proof of completion to the Division upon the Director’s request. Note: VanEd maintains all course completion certificates indefinitely inside student's accounts.

 

Community Association Manager continuing education is now available online. Learn more about VanEd's discounted package! 

CAM License Holders are required to complete 8 hours of approved continuing education each year between July 1st and June 30th. VanEd CAM CE courses are also approved for real estate continuing education credit in Colorado. Our first CAM CE Package is now available online at http://vaned.co/CAMCE and CAM licensees are encouraged to complete their education requirements early.

Visit the VanEd Community Association Manager Continuing Education Webpage to view a list of all courses approved for CAM continuing education credit. You can find this information on our site at http://www.vaned.com/CAM. 

Webinar on CAM CE Scheduled! 

You can also join us for an informational webinar covering CAM Continuing Education! VanEd will host an informational webinar on CAM CE on Monday, July 11th at 2pm. We will discuss the rules and requirements and go over the process for continuing education and how students can remain compliant. Students who completed CE prior to the DRE's determination that no CE was necessary prior to the June 30th, 2016 renewal deadline will also learn about options for compliance. 

Register Here

Webcast: Colorado HOA Information Office and Resource Center Update is Live at 10am

Gary Kujawski, HOA Information Officer with DORA’s HOA Information Office and Resource Center, will provide an update on HOAs in Colorado, which will include information from its latest Annual Report, recent and upcoming HOA legislation, and the progress and status of the new Community Association Manager licensing program. Questions can be submitted during or in advance of the event. Please email to [email protected].

Presentation Materials can be found online at the following link;

• http://www.coloradorealtors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CAR-HOA-Presentation-2016.pdf

 

 

Webcast: Colorado HOA Information Office and Resource Center Update is Live at 10am

Gary Kujawski, HOA Information Officer with DORA’s HOA Information Office and Resource Center, will provide an update on HOAs in Colorado, which will include information from its latest Annual Report, recent and upcoming HOA legislation, and the progress and status of the new Community Association Manager licensing program. Questions can be submitted during or in advance of the event. Please email to [email protected].

Presentation Materials can be found online at the following link;

• http://www.coloradorealtors.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/CAR-HOA-Presentation-2016.pdf