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DENVER, CO - The House 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 passed by a vote of 47-16.
“Metro districts are a tool used to help keep up with the increasing demand for housing in our communities, and we must ensure that homeowners in these districts are protected from preventable foreclosures,” said Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora. “Metro districts can legally conduct design review and covenant enforcement, unfortunately leading to some homeowners being foreclosed on due to fines and fees over decisions like the material used for their roof. Our legislation would encourage metro districts and homeowners to work together to settle disputes and avoid unnecessary foreclosures.”
“There are over 2,000 metro districts throughout Colorado where homeowners pay additional taxes to cover costs for infrastructure and services, and these homeowners deserve transparency about the covenant enforcement guidelines of the metro district that they are paying into,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “This bill would offer greater transparency for the rules and practices that metro districts must adhere to and prevent homeowners from having their house foreclosed on due to unpaid debts for covenant enforcement, keeping Coloradans housed.”
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.