Re: “HOA house may get put in order,” Feb. 13 news story.
Community Associations Institute (CAI) is the industry group referenced in the Denver Post article. While we appreciate The Post reporting on such an important issue, we feel the story made it sound like our organization’s call for state licensure of community association managers was a “spur of the moment” decision based only on the types of problems identified in the story.
CAI has been analyzing the need for licensure of association managers for more than a decade and formed a manager licensure task force to study this issue. We’ve found a large majority of our members feel there is an overwhelming need for licensing in Colorado.
Licensing will provide much-needed consumer protection by establishing a professional standard that all community association managers would be required to meet. Manager licensure is not a party issue and affects all homeowners — whether they are Democrats, Republicans or independents. CAI feels the time for manager licensure in Colorado is now.
In order for a community to operate efficiently and harmoniously, homeowners, volunteer board members and managers need to keep lines of communication open and remain amicable.
Homeowners need to attend board meetings and let their opinions be known. Boards need to listen to and address homeowner concerns. Managers need to understand both the rules of the association they serve and the state laws and regulations that govern HOAs in Colorado. Knowing and understanding state HOA laws would be a key component in manager licensing.
Currently in Colorado, there is no requirement that managers demonstrate their competence or understand state laws that govern HOAs. There also is no requirement for background checks. As a result, homeowners and boards must rely upon these key players at their own peril.
For most Coloradans, their home is their biggest investment. Shouldn’t the individuals who manage and protect property values in our communities be competent and held to a higher standard that can only be achieved through licensure?
Chris Pacetti is co-chair of the Community Associations Institute Manager Licensing Task Force.
