Government Affairs Corner
Metro Denver area update
By Nick Bokone
Government Affairs Director
Greater Metro Denver REALTOR® Associations
Aurora set to study property conditions of foreclosed/vacant homes
The Aurora Association of REALTORS® (AAR) will be participating in a task force convened by City Council Member Larry Beer to study what (if anything) can be done regarding the condition of vacant homes and foreclosed properties. The task force will review the effect on property values of homes in disrepair, vandalized properties, or abandoned homes. Many of these properties are owned by banks which often rise above local regulations due to the Interstate Commerce Act. The task force will evaluate this and other important factors to make recommendations to city council in a few months.
Similarly, we’ve heard rumors of an idea floating around the state capitol that would authorize municipalities to maintain these properties, and then seek reimbursement from the buyer upon sale. CAR is monitoring the situation closely and will keep us posted on developments.
Centennial moving toward home rule
Of the 33 most populated cities in Colorado, Centennial (the tenth largest) stands alone as not yet having its own home rule charter – a municipal constitution. Having a home rule charter will allow Centennial the authority to deal with local matters rather than looking to statewide statutes. Currently, if no statute exists to address an issue or situation, there is nothing that the city can do. Home rule will also allow Centennial to collect its own taxes in a timely manner. Home rule cities must follow federal and state laws that apply to statewide matters. The charter will refer only to local matters. In all cases, no tax can be levied or changed without voter approval in a November election.
A draft of the charter, meeting minutes, and hearings regarding the issue can be found here: http://www.centennialcolorado.com/index.asp?NID=273
Denver pilot program for energy/water efficiency programs in the works
The Denver Board of REALTORS® (DBR) is participating in the creation of a pilot program designed to measure the effectiveness of REALTORS® voluntarily participating in educating buyers and sellers on energy efficiency programs. This program is a joint effort among DBR, the University of Colorado Denver, the Governor’s Office of Energy, the Mayor’s Office, and others.
The pilot program is the result of exhaustive efforts by DBR to promote VOLUNTARY participation by the real estate industry rather than having municipalities seeking to enforce mandatory inspections and point of sale retrofits for energy and water efficient fixtures. REALTORS® believe that sustainability measures can be achieved by educating the public on the benefits rather than bogging down real estate closings with mandatory inspections and retrofits.
NMDRA meeting with mayors March 13
The North Metro Denver REALTOR® Association (NMDRA) will be hosting a “Meet the Mayors” event March 13. Mayors from Broomfield, Westminster, Thornton, Brighton, and Northglenn are scheduled to appear and discuss new projects in their cities, real estate issues and other related topics. For more information, visit www.ndmra.com.
As always, I look forward to hearing your suggestions on local, state, and national issues affecting the real estate industry. Please contact me with any questions or comments. Contact information: (303) 807-4067; nbokone@gmdra.com; www.gmdra.com.
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