Side Streets ~ Neighborhood people and issues

Archive for the 'condos' Tag

FINALLY, A PLACE TO REPORT YOUR ROTTEN HOA!!!

January 19th, 2011, 11:20 am by

Finally, folks in Colorado have some place to turn besides Side Streets to report a rotten homeowners association!

The state has opened its HOA Information Office and Resource Center within the Division of Real Estate, which is under the umbrella of DORA — the Department of Regulatory Agencies in Denver.

The resource center actually invites folks to submit a complaint about their HOAs.

There’s just one catch . . . the resource center won’t investigate your complaint or your HOA, as I often do. (Nor will some irreverent, sarcastic smarty pants at the resource center write about your HOA as I do.)

It will simply log your complaint, along with all the others it receives, and report its findings to lawmakers.

Supporters hope, and critics fear, that it’s the first step toward strict oversight of the 12,000 or so HOAs operating statewide. 

So far, about 1,200 HOAs and management companies are registered. And you can search the database to see if your HOA is in compliance. It’s important to know if your HOA tries to file a lien against you. If the HOA hasn’t registered, it loses its right to file and enforce liens against its residents, said Marcia Waters, director of the Division of Real Estate.

In fact, HOA scofflaws may face civil lawsuits if they fail to register, Waters said.

The center was created in 2010 by the Colorado General Assemblyto get a handle on the growing issue of HOA abuse. 

Colorado Statehouse

It is the brainchild of Aurora Democrats Rep. Su Ryden and Sen. Morgan Carroll, who introduced and sponsored House Bill 1278 .

Originally, they envisioned creating an HOA ombudsman with power to investigate allegations of abuse by HOA boards as well as to mediate disputes.

Ultimately, lawmakers compromised and agreed to create the resource center, effective Jan. 1, 2011.

It requires each HOA to register with the center, which will gather data on HOAs and track complaints filed by the estimated 1.6 million Coloradans living in associations.

In addition, the center will serve as a clearinghouse for HOA board members and residents, providing basic information about the rights and responsibilities of property owners related to neighborhood covenants — rules governing everything from paint colors to landscaping and parking.

 The sponsors said the bill was a response to growing complaints from people living in covenant-controlled communities — neighborhoods, condos, townhomes and time-share complexes. Voluntary HOAs aren’t affected by the law.

The HOA Information and Resource Center is patterned after a state agency in Nevada, created in 1997 to help people resolve HOA disputes besides suing in civil court. Today its ombudsman has a $1.5 million budget and a staff of 15.

Follow this link to read a previous column on the HOA resource center.

And this link will take you to an earlier Side Streets blog on the topic.

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SATELLITE HOTEL HOA LOSING ORBIT

January 16th, 2011, 12:01 pm by

The homeowners association that runs the Satellite Hotel is locked in an ugly battle for control of the 14-story hotel/condo hybrid.

Three officers of the board, including president Margaret Thomas, accuse board member Hayward Rigano of using threats and bullying tactics as he tries to win control of the nine-member board.

They even wrote a letter to their fellow board members in November asking them to censure Rigano, citing a list of complaints from employees, vendors and residents of the building.

Rigano denies ever threatening anyone.

He said the old guard on the board is not qualified to run the building and incapable of making proper business decisions.

The two sides don’t even agree on the issues between them. Is it the 40-year-old heating system that needs major repairs? Or the HOA dues? Or the attempt to cap the number of condos that can be rental units?

Maybe it’s the alleged after-hours sex parties in the building’s restaurant. Or is it the under-performing hotel operation?

Rigano insists he is a peaceful Christian who never threatened anyone. But he admits his year on the board has been stormy as he educates them about the proper way to run the HOA.

His main issue is the hotel operation. When the Satellite opened in 1969, it was the closest hotel to the Colorado Springs Airport. Not anymore. Today it’s 76 hotel rooms sit mostly vacant, leaving little work for the housekeeping and round-the-clock front desk staff.

He said the HOA subsidizes the hotel operation at a cost of $250,000 a year.

Rigano wants to convert those rooms into 35 new condos to be sold with the profits used by the HOA for expensive maintenance.

But Thomas is adamant Rigano is out of control in his dealings with people. She said she is afraid of him. Afraid for her life, even.

She said he berates board members, staff and vendors. She accuses him of bullying and threats.

Elections next month may resolve the issue. Rigano hopes to solidify his majority and gain greater control over the board.

Here’s are some different views of the Satellite from Google Earth and FlashEarth.com.

It sits on the eastern edge of Valley Hi Golf Course.

A closer view shows the tennis courts and swimming pool for owners and hotel guests.

Residents of the Satellite enjoy fabulous views of the mountains and the surrounding city.

Here’s a nice story former Gazette columnist Rich Tosches wrote about the Satellite Hotel in 2004.

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