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JackS1 (Colorado)
Posts: 45
Posted:
From the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act

Colorado revised statutes 38-33.3-124. Legislative declaration - alternative dispute resolution encouraged - policy statement required. (b) On or before January 1, 2007, each association shall adopt a written policy setting forth its procedure for addressing disputes arising between the association and unit owners. The association shall make a copy of this policy available to unit owners upon request.

I have requested a copy of our alternative dispute resolution policy statement on two occasions to no avail.
Both were by email to all of the board members. I know that they were received by their response. They will not even tell me if we have a policy of this sort. They have crossed over the legal line and are now in violation of the CCIOA in several ways.
Is this a classic catch 22?

I have several issues with our uninsured board. I want to keep things out of court.
They have created a situation where going to court seems to be the only viable option to get compliance to the CCIOA mandated alternative dispute resolution policy to keep out of court.

Taking this into the legal system will cost everyone in the HOA one way or another. Funds are already being diverted for other legal problems. In the end it our extensive dirt and gravel roads that will suffer. They require near constant maintance now and are the largest part of our budget.

This board routinely ignores the law and will not compromise or acknowledge any mistakes. The legal fees the former insurance company paid out were substantial. They will not renew and no other companies will write a policy for the HOA.

I suspect a request by certified mail should be next. It should not be necessary, yet their non-compliance seems to make it that way.

I have lost respect for the members of this manipulative, dishonest, and opaque BOD. My personal experiences make me think that A certified letter is just as likely to be ignored as my other requests for information. Would it be useful to send copies of this request to some of the various government offices? Which ones would be appropriate?. Is there a legitimate way to give this request some teeth?

I am open to any suggestions on resolving this matter.

Jack
SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202
Posted:
So for nearly 11 months, they have had no "official policy" for settling disputes? I suspect that they are not the only one.

Also, I suspect there are some "boilerplate" policies out there, perhaps even recommended one from the state.

Instead of complaining, why don't you volunteer to head up a committee to formulate a policy, to be approved by the Board and the membership?
HaroldS (Arizona)
Posts: 906
Posted:
I can' believe any intelligent person would continue to serve on a board without insurance protection. Don't they realize they could be personally liable in any court action? Harold
JackS1 (Colorado)
Posts: 45
Posted:
Complaining NO, just stating the facts.

To the best of my knowledge there has never been an informal policy either. I predate this HOA and participated in the first meetings.

The BOD, still unable to reinsure, has stated that have been exploring all possibilities.
They are embroiled in another lawsuit with the original plaintiff regarding their alleged violation of the settlement terms.
He is an HOA attorney from Maryland. They are having to address this in the Maryland courts.
The only possibility of insurance would be a policy exemption excluding any expense occurred from litigation with him.
Though only hearsay, I have been told as long as he is a homeowner in the subdivision the HOA and BOD will remain uninsurable.

I have a good reason to believe that if the HOA were dissolved and a new association with a fresh board was incorporated to manage the real needs of the community (roads, weeds, fire) this party would withdraw all claims against the HOA.

This board would really prefer that I would just go away. I have offered to help them revise and clarify the covenants. They need some good and legal definitions in them.
The last thing in the world that they want is my holding them accountable to their fiduciary duties and the law. These are not fair dealing honest people.

No one except the power hungry or the ignorant would want to be on an uninsured board of this nature.

Jack
EdieL (Virginia)
Posts: 86
Posted:
Pull together a majority of property owners,(if you can. Not always easy)
and remove all BOD members. When doing this, other members have to step up
to the plate and agree to serve as a BOD. Good luck.
Edie
JackS1 (Colorado)
Posts: 45
Posted:
Nominations for new board members are closing on November 26. Assuming anyone is foolish enough to accept. Would you want to be on an uninsured board that is in the middle of a lawsuit pending in another state. They have enough trouble just keeping a full board. I know that there is at least one more lawsuit in the works. The packrat liberating BOD member still has to face some charges. Now the fact that she is still on the board after such behavior and admitting guilt(hard not to when you are video taped committing an act of harrasment) seems to indicate that the board approves of this. She should been asked to resign.

It is difficult to get people involved in the subdivisions politics.

Currently there are slightly over 60 homes on the 139 lots. Many of the owners are seasonal. Some of these are to be retirement homes as such they are not occupied. With 12.8 miles of road and 5 to 50 acre lots it is difficult to call on your neighbors. I am no longer full time myself. I was for over 4 years.

I have been told not to email the members. Previously that was the only way I could get their attention.
I had to be fairly inflammatory just to get them to a board meeting.

The website bulletin board requires approval for access to posting privileges. Now I wonder who controls that? Could it be someone from the board? I have asked but not yet received.

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