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In the Boulder area, rising insurance costs are increasingly affecting homeowners, particularly in areas at high wildfire risk. With premiums surging and coverage being dropped by insurers, many are feeling financially squeezed.

A broad coalition of housing providers and lenders released a letter to President Biden opposing the recent proposal to cap rents nationwide, according to a release from the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC).

“We understand the appeal of what appears to be a quick fix to stabilize rents, but arbitrary federal rent caps are not the answer. Rent regulations jeopardize the financial solvency of rental communities, result in lower quality housing options for renters, and severely limit their housing choices,” the letter says.

Community Cycles: Sandee Cirian, sandee@communitycycles.org
Donate Old or Abandoned Bikes to Community Cycles

Many of you have tenants that leave behind items that they don't want to move. One solution for bicycles is to donate them to Community Cycles. We'll refurbish them and either donate them to someone in need, or sell them to fund our other programs, like offering workshops in bike maintenance and repair. 

Community Cycles is a Boulder nonprofit with the mission to get more people on bikes. Your donation of bicycles and parts is a building block for our biking community, our education and advocacy work, and our programs to benefit our low-income friends and neighbors.

We accept anything and everything bike-related, in any condition: Adult bikes, kids bikes, e-bikes and e-bike batteries, Parts, Bike accessories like bike racks, car racks, trainers, panniers and other bags, baskets, etc, Bike shoes and attire, Tires and tubes (we'll recycle your old ones for FREE!),

On Monday, April 15, Governor Polis signed Colorado House Bill 2024-1007 (HB24-1007), “Prohibit Residential Occupancy Limits”, which prohibits local governments from enacting or enforcing residential occupancy limits based on familial relationship. In response, the city code enforcement staff will administratively cease enforcement of the occupancy regulations in the land use code (based on the number of unrelated persons per unit).

Boulder City Council topics coming up in the next few months*

There are a few interesting events coming up where community members can give feedback or learn about different things that may interest you.

Public Open House: City of Boulder To Host Open House To Share Updated Community Wildfire Protection Plan And Gather Community Input: https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/public-open-house-city-boulder-host-open-house-share-updated-community-wildfire-protection?utm_medium=email

CSU Extension Webinar: Waterwise Updates for Lawns and Landscapes: https://www.coolboulder.org/main-calendar/csu-extension-zoom-waterwise-updates-for-lawns-and-landscapes?utm_medium=email

Public Input Requested for Diagonal Highway Branding and Wayfinding Project: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/COBOULDER/bulletins/38f8ac4?utm_medium=email

City seeking volunteers to serve on boards and commissions
Boulder is seeking volunteers who wish to serve on the city’s boards and commissions. Board and commission members work with city staff and councilmembers to examine current issues and make recommendations that can help shape the city’s future.
There are 20 different boards and commissions with vacancies to fill in 2024. Some of these include the Housing Advisory Board, Open Space Board of Trustees, Planning Board and Transportation Advisory Board.
The city is accepting applications until Jan. 29. Interested community members are encouraged to apply at bit.ly/4atmotU. Applicants must have lived in Boulder for at least a year prior to March 2024. For most boards and commissions, applicants must be at least 18 years old, but the minimum age to serve on the Beverage Licensing Authority or Cannabis Licensing Advisory Board is 21.
More information and a full list of boards and commissions with open seats are available on the ci

On Monday, October 30, 2023 the City of Boulder launched Elevate Boulder, a guaranteed income pilot project. Through this project the city will provide 200 low-income Boulder households with $500 per month for two years. This assistance is unconditional and unrestricted; no strings attached.

The city is in the process of updating its Energy Conservation Code. The Energy Conservation Code sets minimum energy performance standards for newly constructed and renovated buildings. The code is updated on a three-year cycle, and its last revision was in 2020. The city just started stakeholder engagement and will be discussing the proposal during a study session on 11/9/2023. While have not seen the draft code yet, we expect it to be available sometime in November.

Click here to watch the webinar about Capital Markets Update and Economic Outlook hosted by our member and Platinum Sponsor: Mercer Advisors
https://www.merceradvisors.com/insights/market-commentary/capital-markets-update-and-outlook-oct2023

from Tim Drugan with the The Boulder Reporting Lab
Every three years, Boulder updates its energy codes. This time around, the city might help push the envelope in Colorado by banning natural gas hookups in new buildings.

Environmental advocates nationwide have pushed for gas hookup bans as crucial in reducing cities’ dependence on fossil fuels and achieving climate emissions goals. And many cities — and some states — are well ahead of Boulder.

The City of Longmont’s Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) begins implementation January 1, 2024. The URO will require recycling collection for commercial businesses and multifamily properties not already subscribed to recycling collection services. The City will provide resources and assistance to support implementation, including training and educational materials and signage to ensure proper sorting. For assistance and more information on the URO, please visit the City’s URO website.
https://www.longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-n-z/waste-services-compost-recycle-trash/universal-recycling-ordinance-information

New Boulder Occupancy Law Is In Effect
By now, you should know that the occupancy rules have changed for the city of Boulder. The new occupancy regulations went into effect on 9/18/2023.

SAVE THE DATES FOR CU BOULDER HOUSING FAIRS
CU Boulder is excited to offer three in-person housing fairs on campus at CU Boulder this year! Their goal is to offer a unique and terrific opportunity to mass market your rental properties.
• Oct 18: University Memorial Ballroom
• Dec 6: Williams Village Center
• Feb 15: University Memorial Ballroom
Registration for the first fair is expected to be available in the next week. An email will go out with more details once registration is live. For more information about the CU Off Campus Housing Fair(s) or for any questions you may have, please feel free to contact their office at 303-492-7063, och@colorado.edu, or stop by the office in the University Memorial Center, room 313.

On May 24, 2023, House Bill 23-1105, the Homeowners’ Rights Task Force Bill, was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis. This bill creates an HOA Homeowners’ Rights Task Force(the “Task Force”) to examine issues confronting HOA communities such as enforcement and collections practices and other community operations. Under this bill, all Associations are required to notify their members of the existence of the bill and the creation of the Task Force.
Additional information regarding HB23-1105can be found at https://dre.colorado.gov/division-notifications/house-bill-23-1105-task-forces-to-examine-issues-affecting-homeowners-rights.

On June 15 under matters for city manager, Boulder City Council gave city staff direction to move forward with staff exploring the “5 unrelated concept”. This means if passed 5 unrelated persons would be allowed in any home or apartment citywide, regardless of zoning district. Landlords would still retain the right to have less unrelated if they so choose.

The Longmont City Council passed the Universal Recycling Ordinance (URO) at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 11, in support of the City’s goal of diverting 75% of our waste from the landfill by 2030 and 95% by 2050. The Ordinance focuses on a phased implementation for recycling and organics diversion for commercial and multifamily properties.

The City of Boulder has launched two new tools – a rental property notification system and a tenant resource guide – designed to encourage better communication and problem-solving between landlords and renters. The notification system shares calls for service data and aims to bring transparency and awareness to certain types of calls for service at rental properties. The goal of the tool is to help you identify if an ongoing issue is present so you can work with your tenants to find a solution through conversation and problem-solving.

This year, the City of Boulder is conducting an enhanced trash collection pilot project in the Univeristy Hill and Goss-Grove neighborhoods. The city in collaboration with Western Disposal will place dumpsters at strategic locations throughout these neighborhoods. These dumpsters will be monitored six days per week for disposal at no extra cost to you.
When: July 24-Aug 19

Did you know that the Boulder city council is discussing occupancy limits? Read more about this possible change to occupancy regulations

This past week we had a number of members who devoted their time to giving back tot he Boulder community both through work at the Emergency Family Assistance Association and a day with the Veteran's Community Project.

The first of two readings of the Universal Recycling Ordinance is now tentatively on June 20. Here is information on how to attend a Council meeting, there will be a public hearing related to the Ordinance.

The city of Boulder is seeking input from the community on both Occupancy and Affordable Housing.

Boulder Junction Phase 2 project’s 2nd Open House. It will take place on Wednesday, May 17 from 4-6 p.m. at the Junkyard Social Club.

We wanted to provide you on an update on the progress of the Universal Recycling Ordinance. On April 25, Longmont City staff returned to City Council to further discuss the financial impacts of the Universal Recycling Ordinance and how to support businesses and multifamily properties in complying with the Ordinance. Read the article for updates and timeline.

The dates for Six Day Review this year are May 6-12. Want to learn more about Six Day Review? Read this article.

This year, the City of Boulder is conducting an enhanced trash collection pilot project in the Univeristy Hill and Goss-Grove neighborhoods. The city in collaboration with Western Disposal will place dumpsters at strategic locations throughout these neighborhoods. These dumpsters will be monitored six days per week for disposal at no extra cost to you. May 1-19, 2023

Kel Darnell, BARHA president, recently wrote an opinion piece for the Boulder Daily Camera.

The City of Longmont partners with Efficiency Works Business to offer direct install upgrades and toilet and urinal rebates for multi-family buildings and businesses. Efficiency Works is a collaborative effort between Platte River Power Authority and the utilities of Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland to help customers save energy and water.

The residential high-efficiency toilet rebate will now be offered through Efficiency Works. Review the new requirements below and select this link to apply for a $50 high-efficiency toilet rebate.

NAA Position: Rent control distorts the housing market by acting as a deterrent and disincentive to develop rental housing, and expedites the deterioration of existing housing stock. While done under the guise of preserving affordable housing, the policy hurts the very community it purports to help by limiting accessibility and affordability.

Fewer landlords are aware of the range of tax breaks available to property owners and managers—opportunities that could help you save big. With many renters and landlords recovering after a financially tumultuous few years, it's more important than ever to help protect your investment.

Below, you’ll find 15 deductions that could help you during tax season. While some of these tax breaks apply to all homeowners, many are unique to rental property. Make sure to check with your tax professional or CPA to determine whether any specific tax deduction applies to you and make the most out of your return.

Colorado's spot as second in the nation to have a majority-women legislature ended just three weeks into the 2023 session, when a Democratic House District 12 vacancy committee Saturday selected Kyle Brown of Louisville to replace Rep. Tracey Bernett, D-Louisville.
Brown won on the first ballot.

In response to the Colorado State House introducing bill HB23-1115, which would allow municipalities to enact rent control to the detriment of their communities, Drew Hamrick, general counsel and senior VP of government affairs, of the Colorado Apartment Association issued the following statement:

The interest rate for 2023 tenant security deposits is set at 2%, effective Saturday, Jan. 1, 2023. This is the mathematical average of the one-year certificate of deposit from the top three financial institutions in Boulder, based on market share data as of Dec. 14, 2022.

The Colorado Real Estate Commission has released their updated forms for 2023. The 2 forms that may impact your operations as a broker/landlord are the addendum to the management agreement, which will need to be used for new owners that managers sign on and the assignment of lease, which will be used when selling a property or hiring a new management company to assign the existing lease to a new property manager/owner. The new forms went into effect on 1/1/23 and can be found here - https://dre.colorado.gov/real-estate-broker-contracts-and-forms

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder County has partnered with the Boulder Area Rental Housing Association (BARHA) to help ensure residents displaced by the Marshall Fire have access to a list of comprehensive housing resources as they navigate recovery following the disaster. These resources are available at marshallfirehousing.com

“It is an overwhelming experience for those impacted by the fires to find housing in this market. To help reduce the stress of locating a home, we created a single webpage with available housing options and associated resources to facilitate the process of finding a new place to live,” said Jennifer Crowell, Executive Director, BARHA. “I am thankful for all of the BARHA and community members who have contributed. In the past few days, I have talked with many of our members who have already housed one or many of the individuals and families who were displaced. We feel privileged to be able to provide a helpful resource for our community during this devastating