Search Results

Colorado Poverty Law Project is thrilled to introduce Shannon MacKenzie as our new Executive Director! Previously our Deputy Director and Managing Attorney, Shannon is a former teacher and a civil rights attorney specializing in disability law. "I am looking forward to continuing to support CPLP staff in its unwavering dedication to underserved Coloradans," says MacKenzie. "It is a true honor to work with every person on our team in service of those most in need." Caitlin Finn, co-founder and previous Executive Director, will be shifting to a new role as Chief Operating Officer. CPLP is grateful to have such an exceptional leadership team!

Vea abajo para esto en español SPONSORED BY REP. ANDREW BOESENECKER, REP. EDIE HOOTON, AND SEN. WINTER Effective October 1st, 2022, HB22-1287 provides a more meaningful opportunity for mobile homeowners to purchase their park, assistance for displaced park residents following a park closure, expanded and more equitable options for enforcing Colorado's Mobile Home Park Act, protections to strengthen the financial security and quality of life for residents, and improved administration. A MORE MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR MOBILE HOMEOWNERS TO PURCHASE THEIR PARK: Expands the time allotted to homeowners to make an offer to purchase their park from 90 days to 120 days. Establishes tolling events that pause the 120 day “opportunity to purchase” timeframe if: (1) there is a delay in obtaining financing or an inspection that is outside the homeowners’ control; (2) homeowners file a complaint about the sales process; or (3) homeowners attempt to assign their option to purchase to a nonprofit or public entity. Upon assignment from homeowners, provides public entities with a “right of first refusal” to match the best offer a park seller receives to purchase the park. Clarifies what is required by park owners to engage in good faith negotiations with homeowners who make an offer to purchase, including requiring that the time period for closing and method for financing the purchase not be considered. ASSISTANCE FOR DISPLACED PARK RESIDENTS FOLLOWING A PARK CLOSURE: Allows a homeowner to receive compensation for being displaced due to a park change in use/closure. Homeowners may request one of the following, at the homeowner’s discretion: (1) reimbursement for relocation costs (i.e., moving expenses) within 100 miles; or (2) purchase of the mobile home for the greater of its in-place fair market value or the fixed amount of $7,500 (single wide home) or $10,000 (double wide home), which will increase with inflation. EXPANDED AND MORE EQUITABLE OPTIONS FOR ENFORCING COLORADO’S MOBILE HOME PARK ACT: Prohibits park owners from increasing rents if they have not registered with the state, owe penalties, or have failed to comply with an order from Division of Housing. Allows the Office of the Attorney General to enforce the CO Mobile Home Park Act. Authorizes the Division of Housing to order minimum penalties, pursue injunctive or other relief in court, and issue cease and desist orders in response to legal violations committed by a park owner. The Division may investigate potential violations on its own initiative. Expands access to justice for homeowners by allowing them to pursue nonfrivolous claims without the risk of incurring liability for a park owner’s legal fees, and without being required to pay bond to the court as a condition for bringing a lawsuit. Beginning by July 1, 2024, allows non-homeowner residents (i.e. renters), nonprofits, and local governments to file complaints with the Division of Housing. PROTECTIONS TO STRENGTHEN THE FINANCIAL SECURITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PARK RESIDENTS: Clarifies prohibitions against, and penalties in the event of, a park owner threatening baseless evictions, misleading a homeowner into signing a new lease agreement, or retaliating against residents for organizing activities. Strengthens protections to prevents park owners from unreasonably interfering with a homeowner’s right to sell their house. Prevents a park owner from enforcing expensive or onerous park rules related to the mobile home itself unless the rules are agreed upon by a homeowner or homeowner’s association, the rule is strictly necessary to comply with a law, or strictly necessary to protect the health and safety of park residents. If necessary for health/safety, the rule must also provide the protection at the lowest expense to homeowners as reasonably possible. Requires park owners to provide potable water and toilet alternatives within 12 hours of a disruption in water services. IMPROVED PARK ADMINISTRATION: Requires park owners to retain the lease and other crucial documents and records related to a resident’s tenancy for the duration of that tenancy and for 12 months after the tenancy. Grants residents the right to request and participate in a meeting with park management up to twice a year, to facilitate better communication. Allows the public to obtain important information about the ownership structure of mobile parks and recent rent increases through updates to the park registration form. Questions? Contact Jack Regenbogen, CPLP's Policy and Advocacy Staff Attorney at jack@copovertylawproject.org or (314) 479-1617. Resumen de HB22-1287: Protecciones para residentes de parques de casas móviles PATROCINADO POR REP. ANDREW BOESENECKER, REP. EDIE HOOTON, Y SEN. WINTER Effectivo el 1 de Octubre del 2022, HB22-1287 da una mejor oportunidad para que los dueños de casas moviles puedan comprar su parque, les da assistencia a los residentes de parques desplazados después del cierre del parque, hay opciones ampliadas y más equitativas para hacer cumplir la Ley de Parques de Casas Móviles de Colorado, incluye protecciones para fortalecer la seguridad financiera y la calidad de vida de los residentes, y mejor administración. Una Oportunidad Más Significativa Para Los Proprietarios de Casas Móviles Para Comprar su Parque: Amplía el tiempo asignado a los propietarios para hacer una oferta de compra de su parque de 90 días a 120 días. Establece eventos de peaje que pausan el plazo de 120 días de “oportunidad de compra” si: (1) hay un retraso en la obtención de financiamiento o una inspección que está fuera del control de propietarios; (2) los propietarios presentan una queja sobre el proceso de venta; o (3) los propietarios intentan asignar su opción de compra a una entidad pública o sin fines de lucro. Tras la cession de los propietarios, proporciona a las entidades públicas un “derecho de preferencia” para igualar la mejor oferta que recibe el vendedor del parque para comprar el parque. Aclara lo que los propietarios de parques requieren para entablar negociaciones de buena fe con los propietarios de viviendas que hacen una oferta de compra, incluido el requisite de que no se consider eel período de tiempo para el cierre y el método para financiar la compra. Asistencia para residentes del parque desplazados después del cierre del parque: Permite que un propietario reciba una compensación por ser desplazado debido a un cambio de uso/cierre del parque. Los propietarios pueden solicitar uno de los siguientes, a discreción del propietario: (1) reembolso de los costos de reubicación (es decir, gastos de mudanza) dentro de las 100 millas; o (2) la compra de la casa móvil por el mayor de su valor justo de mercado o el monto fijo de $7,500 (casa de ancho simple) o $10,000 (casa de doble ancho). Que aumentará con la inflación. Opciones ampliadas y más equitativas para hacer cumplir la ley de parques de casas móviles de colorado Prohíbe que los propietarios de parque aumenten los alquileres si no se han registrado con el estado, deben multas o no han cumplido con una orden de la División de Vivienda. Permite que la Oficina del Fiscal General haga cumplir la Ley de Parques de Casas Móviles de CO. Autoriza de la División de Vivienda a ordenar penas mínimas, solicitor medidas cautelares u otras medidas de reparación en los tribunales y emitir órdenes de cese y desistimiento en respuesta a violaciones legales cometidas por el propietario de un parque. La División puede investigar posibles violaciones por iniciativa propia. Amplía el acceso a la justicia para los propietarios de viviendas al permitirles que presenten reclamos no frívolos sin el riesgo de incurrir en responsabilidad por los honorarios legales del propietario del parque y sin tener que pagar una fianza al tribunal como condición para presenter una demanda. A partir del 1 de Julio de 2024, permite que los residentes que no son propietarios de viviendas (es decir, los inquilinos), las organizaciones sin fines de lucro y los gobiernos locales presenten quejas ante la División de Vivienda. Protecciones para fortalecer la seguridad financiera y la calidad de vida de los residentes del parque: Aclara las prohibiciones y sanciones en caso de que el propietario de un parque amenace con desalojos infundados, engañe al propietario para que firme un nuevo contrato de arrendamiento o tome represalias contra los residents por organizer actividades. Fortalece las protecciones para evitar que los propietarios de parques interfieran injustificadamente con el derecho del propietario a vender su casa. Impide que el propietario de un parque haga cumplir las reglas costosas u onerosas del parque relacionadas con la casa móvil en si, a menos que las reglas sean acordadas por el propietario o la asociación de propietarios, la regla sea estrictamente necesaria para cumplir con una ley, or estrictamente necesaria para proteger la salud y seguridad de los residentes del parque. Si es necesario para la salud/seguridad, la regla tambien debe proporcionar la protección al costo más bajo possible para los propietarios de viviendas. Requiere que los dueños de los parques proporcionen agua potable y baños alternativos dentro de las 12 horas posteriors a una interrupción en los servicios de agua. Mejor Administración del parque: Requiere que los propietarios de parques conserven el contrato de arrendamiento y otros documentos y registros cruciales relacionados con el arrendamiento de un residente durante la duración de ese arrendamiento y durante los 12 meses posteriors al arrendamiento. Otorga a los residentes el derecho a solicitar y participar en una reunion con la administración del parque hasta dos veces al año, para facilitar una mejor comunicación. Permite al público obtener información importante sobre la estructura de propiedad de los parques móviles y los aumentos recientes de alquiler a través de actualizaciones del formulario de registro del parque. Para obtener más informacion, pongase en contacto con Jack Regenbogen en jack@copovertylawproject.org o (314) 479-1617

Stephanie, 22 (whose name and image have been changed for privacy), was caring for herself, her grandma, and her two young siblings when the family received a demand for rent payment. They were unable to afford it – her grandma's social security check was lost in transit, and Stephanie's job didn't pay enough to cover the full amount herself. Stephanie stepped up to advocate for her family. She reached out to CPLP for support and our team immediately connected her with rental assistance, filed an Answer, and negotiated a dismissal of the eviction case before hearing. The family received three months of rent payment. CPLP has already served 675 individuals this year – an increase of 44% compared to the same time last year. Many of these individuals are your neighbors like Stephanie working hard to advocate for their families. You can make a difference today by donating online to support our programs.

Colorado Poverty Law project worked with legislators and partners to help pass several important pieces of legislation this session, including: Veteran and Military Status in Fair Housing HB22-1102, sponsored by Rep. David Ortiz, Rep. Tom Sullivan, Sen. Bob Gardner and Sen. Nick Hinrichsen Prohibits discrimination in housing based on a person’s military or veteran status. Allows the Colorado Civil Rights Division to accept, investigate and adjudicate complaints. Attorney Access to Eviction Court Records SB22-019, sponsored by Sen. Faith Winter and Rep. Steven Woodrow Strengthens legal aid by allowing attorneys and their support staff to access eviction court records with permission from a party. Allows access to suppressed eviction records to provide legal advice, or to evaluate a case for legal representation or mediation, but not for other commercial purposes. Protections for Mobile Home Park Residents HB22-1287, sponsored by Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, Rep. Edie Hooton and Sen. Faith Winter Promotes resident-owned mobile home parks by giving homeowners 120 days to make an offer to purchase a park and by establishing a right-of-first-refusal for public entities purchasing a park on behalf of residents. Requires a park owner to pay relocation assistance to displaced homeowners following the closure of a park. Establishes new enforcement tools for aggrieved homeowners, the Division of Housing and the Attorney General’s Office, and expands protections for renters residing in a park. Limits the enforceability of expensive and onerous park rules and provides homeowners with greater freedom to sell their home situated in a park. Prohibits a park owner from threatening baseless evictions, misleading a homeowner into signing a new lease agreement, or from retaliating against residents for organizing activities Establish Fair Housing Unit in Department of Law HB22-1082, sponsored by Rep. Edie Hooton, Rep. Jennifer Bacon and Sen. Julie Gonzales Creates a new fair housing unit within the Attorney General’s Office. Allows the Attorney General to enforce certain renter protections, including laws related to security deposits, consideration of criminal history on rental applications, late fees, notice and frequency of rent increases, Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, and the Mobile Home Park Act. HOA Accountability and Transparency HB22-1137, sponsored by Rep. Naquetta Ricks, Rep. Mary Bradfield and Sen. Julie Gonzales Requires homeowner associations to provide greater notice and more detailed information to homeowners who are in debt or accused of HOA violations. Caps the amount that an HOA can fine a homeowner for a violation at $500, provided the violation does not threaten health or safety. Prohibits an HOA from initiating a foreclosure based on unpaid fines and most types of attorney fee debt. Allows a homeowner to enter a repayment plan before an HOA can pursue a foreclosure based on unpaid assessments. Loan Program for Resident-owned Mobile Home Park Communities SB22-160, sponsored by Sen. Julie Gonzales, Sen. Nick Hinrichsen, Rep. Andrew Boesenecker and Rep. Mandy Lindsay Allocates $35 million in federal funds to support resident-owned mobile home park communities. Funds will be distributed by Division of Housing to provide low-interest loans to mobile homeowners and to support nonprofits that provide supportive technical assistance. Nonprofit and Local Government Grants for Housing HB22-1304, sponsored by Rep. Dylan Roberts, Rep. Mary Bradfield, Sen. James Coleman and Sen. Julie Gonzales Appropriates $138 million in federal funds to provide grants to local governments and nonprofits that develop affordable housing or provide housing services. Allocates $40 million in federal funds to the Infrastructure and Strong Communities Grant Program, to support infill infrastructure projects that promote affordable housing. Budget Amendment to Support Eviction Legal Defense Fund Carried by Rep. Monica Duran, Rep. Steven Woodrow and Sen. Faith Winter Increases the general fund appropriation for the State’s Eviction Legal Defense Fund by $500,000, bringing the total general fund appropriation up from $600,000 to $1.1 million for fiscal year 2022/2023. Questions? Contact Jack Regenbogen, CPLP's Policy and Advocacy Staff Attorney, at Jack@copovertylawproject.org.

A disabled tenant received an eviction notice based on nonpayment and contacted CPLP for help. Working quickly, a volunteer attorney filed an emergency motion seeking to vacate the eviction order, arguing that the CDC declaration provided protection for this tenant. The landlord agreed and vacated the eviction order, allowing the tenant to stay in his home.

A Kenyan woman attended a CPLP monthly clinic in dire need of notarized paperwork required to comply with consular regulations. CPLP volunteer attorneys were able to help untangle the confusing requirements and obtain notarized copies of her passport, identification card, and power of attorney forms.

While out of state in Oklahoma, a woman did not receive notices indicating that she was responsible for child support payments in Jefferson County. Hoping to address the situation, the woman attended a CPLP monthly clinic. The attorney she was paired with discovered that an arrest warrant had been issued for the delinquent child support payments, but was able to negotiate a withdrawal of the warrant and establish a payment plan with the client.

A 12-year-old boy was taken to Tennessee by his mother in violation of a parenting plan established with the boy’s father. A CPLP volunteer attorney worked with both parents to renegotiate a plan that allowed for the boy to spend time with both his mother in Tennessee and his father in Colorado. The volunteer took it a step further and arranged transportation for the boy back to Denver for Christmas, and added a special gift of video games!

Acting on a personal vendetta, a landlord refused to accept rent for the last month on a tenant’s lease. The landlord then filed an eviction order for nonpayment and other baseless lease violations. Unfamiliar with navigating housing law regulations and at risk of having an eviction on her rental history, the tenant contacted CPLP. A volunteer attorney helped her file counterclaims demanding payment for damages and attorneys’ fees. This led to a settlement that required the landlord to drop the eviction order, forfeit the last month’s rent payment, and repay the entire security deposit.

A single mother with mental illness called emergency services on herself during a manic episode to prevent self harm. Her landlord then served her with an eviction notice, claiming that police being called to the apartment was a substantial violation of the lease. A CPLP volunteer attorney stopped this wrongful eviction and negotiated a mutual rescission of the lease. The tenant and her son moved in with family in order to stabilize her mental health.

A single woman was evicted after her landlord made false accusations against her grandson. The landlord alleged that the woman’s grandson had allowed a neighbor to fire gunshots from the window, a claim which he strongly denied. When the landlord refused to terminate eviction proceedings, the woman sought help from CPLP. The night before trial, a volunteer attorney was able to obtain a police report containing the location of the gun casings. Because the report proved that the bullets could not have been shot from the tenant’s apartment, the landlord dropped the case and the grandmother was able to remain in her apartment.

A woman was denied housing eligibility by Denver Housing Authority because of petty criminal issues caused by being homeless (open container, curfew violation, trespass for camping). After attending one of CPLP’s monthly legal clinics , the woman was paired with a volunteer attorney. The following day, the attorney accompanied the client to a Denver Housing Authority appeal hearing. After advocating for the denial to be lifted, the client was reinstated for housing eligibility.