Document 1 of 23

Source:
Colorado Statutes/TITLE 38 PROPERTY - REAL AND PERSONAL/REAL PROPERTY/Interests in Land/ARTICLE 33.3 COLORADO COMMON INTEREST OWNERSHIP ACT/PART 2 CREATION, ALTERATION, AND TERMINATION OF COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES

PART 2
CREATION, ALTERATION, AND TERMINATION
OF COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES

Document 2 of 23

38-33.3-201. Creation of common interest communities.

Statute text

(1) A common interest community may be created pursuant to this article only by recording a declaration executed in the same manner as a deed and, in a cooperative, by conveying the real estate subject to that declaration to the association. The declaration must be recorded in every county in which any portion of the common interest community is located and must be indexed in the grantee's index in the name of the common interest community and in the name of the association and in the grantor's index in the name of each person executing the declaration. No common interest community is created until the plat or map for the common interest community is recorded.

(2) In a common interest community with horizontal unit boundaries, a declaration, or an amendment to a declaration, creating or adding units shall include a certificate of completion executed by an independent licensed or registered engineer, surveyor, or architect stating that all structural components of all buildings containing or comprising any units thereby created are substantially completed.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1715, § 1, effective July 1, 1992. L. 93: Entire section amended, p. 646, § 8, effective April 30.

Document 3 of 23

38-33.3-202. Unit boundaries.

Statute text

(1) Except as provided by the declaration:

(a) If walls, floors, or ceilings are designated as boundaries of a unit, all lath, furring, wallboard, plasterboard, plaster, paneling, tiles, wallpaper, paint, and finished flooring and any other materials constituting any part of the finished surfaces thereof are a part of the unit, and all other portions of the walls, floors, or ceilings are a part of the common elements.

(b) If any chute, flue, duct, wire, conduit, bearing wall, bearing column, or other fixture lies partially within and partially outside the designated boundaries of a unit, any portion thereof serving only that unit is a limited common element allocated solely to that unit, and any portion thereof serving more than one unit or any portion of the common elements is a part of the common elements.

(c) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this subsection (1), all spaces, interior partitions, and other fixtures and improvements within the boundaries of a unit are a part of the unit.

(d) Any shutters, awnings, window boxes, doorsteps, stoops, porches, balconies, and patios and all exterior doors and windows or other fixtures designed to serve a single unit, but located outside the unit's boundaries, are limited common elements allocated exclusively to that unit.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1715, § 1, effective July 1, 1992.

Document 4 of 23

38-33.3-203. Construction and validity of declaration and bylaws.

Statute text

(1) All provisions of the declaration and bylaws are severable.

(2) The rule against perpetuities does not apply to defeat any provision of the declaration, bylaws, or rules and regulations.

(3) In the event of a conflict between the provisions of the declaration and the bylaws, the declaration prevails, except to the extent the declaration is inconsistent with this article.

(4) Title to a unit and common elements is not rendered unmarketable or otherwise affected by reason of an insubstantial failure of the declaration to comply with this article. Whether a substantial failure impairs marketability is not affected by this article.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1716, § 1, effective July 1, 1992.

Document 5 of 23

38-33.3-204. Description of units.

Statute text

A description of a unit may set forth the name of the common interest community, the recording data for the declaration, the county in which the common interest community is located, and the identifying number of the unit. Such description is a legally sufficient description of that unit and all rights, obligations, and interests appurtenant to that unit which were created by the declaration or bylaws. It shall not be necessary to use the term "unit" as a part of a legally sufficient description of a unit.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1716, § 1, effective July 1, 1992. L. 92: Entire section amended, p. 2181, § 51, effective July 1. L. 93: Entire section amended, p. 647, § 9, effective April 30.

Annotations

Editor's note: Although section 51 of chapter 313, Session Laws of Colorado 1992, amended this section, effective June 2, 1992, the entire article did not take effect until July 1, 1992, in accordance with section 2 of chapter 283, Session Laws of Colorado 1991. Since the amendment cannot take effect until the section takes effect, the effective date of the amendment is reflected as July 1, 1992.

Document 6 of 23

38-33.3-205. Contents of declaration.

Statute text

(1) The declaration must contain:

(a) The names of the common interest community and the association and a statement that the common interest community is a condominium, cooperative, or planned community;

(b) The name of every county in which any part of the common interest community is situated;

(d) A statement of the maximum number of units that the declarant reserves the right to create;

(e) In a condominium or planned community, a description, which may be by plat or map, of the boundaries of each unit created by the declaration, including the unit's identifying number; or, in a cooperative, a description, which may be by plat or map, of each unit created by the declaration, including the unit's identifying number, its size or number of rooms, and its location within a building if it is within a building containing more than one unit;

(f) A description of any limited common elements, other than those specified in section 38-33.3-202 (1) (b) and (1) (d) or shown on the map as provided in section 38-33.3-209 (2) (j) and, in a planned community, any real estate that is or must become common elements;

(g) A description of any real estate, except real estate subject to development rights, that may be allocated subsequently as limited common elements, other than limited common elements specified in section 38-33.3-202 (1) (b) and (1) (d), together with a statement that they may be so allocated;

(h) A description of any development rights and other special declarant rights reserved by the declarant, together with a description sufficient to identify the real estate to which each of those rights applies and the time limit within which each of those rights must be exercised;

(i) If any development right may be exercised with respect to different parcels of real estate at different times, a statement to that effect together with:

(I) Either a statement fixing the boundaries of those portions and regulating the order in which those portions may be subjected to the exercise of each development right or a statement that no assurances are made in those regards; and

(II) A statement as to whether, if any development right is exercised in any portion of the real estate subject to that development right, that development right must be exercised in all or in any other portion of the remainder of that real estate;

(j) Any other conditions or limitations under which the rights described in paragraph (h) of this subsection (1) may be exercised or will lapse;

(k) An allocation to each unit of the allocated interests in the manner described in section 38-33.3-207;

(l) Any restrictions on the use, occupancy, and alienation of the units and on the amount for which a unit may be sold or on the amount that may be received by a unit owner on sale, condemnation, or casualty loss to the unit or to the common interest community or on termination of the common interest community;

(m) The recording data for recorded easements and licenses appurtenant to, or included in, the common interest community or to which any portion of the common interest community is or may become subject by virtue of a reservation in the declaration;

(n) All matters required by sections 38-33.3-201, 38-33.3-206 to 38-33.3-209, 38-33.3-215, 38-33.3-216, and 38-33.3-303 (4);

(o) Reasonable provisions concerning the manner in which notice of matters affecting the common interest community may be given to unit owners by the association or other unit owners;

(p) A statement, if applicable, that the planned community is a large planned community and is exercising certain exemptions from the "Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act" as such a large planned community;

(q) In a large planned community:

(I) A general description of every common element that the declarant is legally obligated to construct within the large planned community together with the approximate date by which each such common element is to be completed. The declarant shall be required to complete each such common element within a reasonable time after the date specified in the declaration, unless the declarant, due to an act of God, is unable to do so. The declarant shall not be legally obligated with respect to any common element not identified in the declaration.

(II) A general description of the type of any common element that the declarant anticipates may be constructed by, maintained by, or operated by the association. The association shall not assess members for the construction, maintenance, or operation of any common element that is not described pursuant to this subparagraph (II) unless such assessment is approved by the vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast in person or by proxy, other than by declarant, at a meeting duly convened as required by law.

(2) The declaration may contain any other matters the declarant considers appropriate.

(3) The plats and maps described in section 38-33.3-209 may contain certain information required to be included in the declaration by this section.

(4) A declarant may amend the declaration, a plat, or a map to correct clerical, typographical, or technical errors.

(5) A declarant may amend the declaration to comply with the requirements, standards, or guidelines of recognized secondary mortgage markets, the department of housing and urban development, the federal housing administration, the veterans administration, the federal home loan mortgage corporation, the government national mortgage association, or the federal national mortgage association.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1716, § 1, effective July 1, 1992. L. 93: (1)(h) and (1)(n) amended, p. 647, § 10, effective April 30. L. 94: (1)(p) added, p. 2847, § 3, effective July 1. L. 95: (1)(q) added, p. 237, § 3, effective July 1. L. 98: (1)(h) amended and (4) and (5) added, p. 480, § 4, effective July 1.

Annotations

ANNOTATION

Annotations

Airplane runway was not subject to the declaration of restrictions for a subdivision because it was not a common area included in the legal description of the subdivision. Accordingly, recording data for a retained easement across the runway was not required by subsection (1)(m). Brush Creek Airport, L.L.C. v. Avion Park, L.L.C., 57 P.3d 738 (Colo. App. 2002).

Document 7 of 23

38-33.3-206. Leasehold common interest communities.

Statute text

(1) Any lease, the expiration or termination of which may terminate the common interest community or reduce its size, must be recorded. In a leasehold condominium or leasehold planned community, the declaration must contain the signature of each lessor of any such lease in order for the provisions of this section to be effective. The declaration must state:

(a) The recording data for the lease;

(b) The date on which the lease is scheduled to expire;

(d) Any rights of the unit owners to redeem the reversion and the manner whereby those rights may be exercised or state that they do not have those rights;

(e) Any rights of the unit owners to remove any improvements within a reasonable time after the expiration or termination of the lease or state that they do not have those rights; and

(f) Any rights of the unit owners to renew the lease and the conditions of any renewal or state that they do not have those rights.

(2) After the declaration for a leasehold condominium or leasehold planned community is recorded, neither the lessor nor the lessor's successor in interest may terminate the leasehold interest of a unit owner who makes timely payment of a unit owner's share of the rent and otherwise complies with all covenants which, if violated, would entitle the lessor to terminate the lease. A unit owner's leasehold interest in a condominium or planned community is not affected by failure of any other person to pay rent or fulfill any other covenant.

(3) Acquisition of the leasehold interest of any unit owner by the owner of the reversion or remainder does not merge the leasehold and fee simple interests unless the leasehold interests of all unit owners subject to that reversion or remainder are acquired.

(4) If the expiration or termination of a lease decreases the number of units in a common interest community, the allocated interests shall be reallocated in accordance with section 38-33.3-107 (1), as though those units had been taken by eminent domain. Reallocations shall be confirmed by an amendment to the declaration prepared, executed, and recorded by the association.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1718, § 1, effective July 1, 1992.

Document 8 of 23

38-33.3-207. Allocation of allocated interests.

Statute text

(1) The declaration must allocate to each unit:

(a) In a condominium, a fraction or percentage of undivided interests in the common elements and in the common expenses of the association and, to the extent not allocated in the bylaws of the association, a portion of the votes in the association;

(b) In a cooperative, an ownership interest in the association, a fraction or percentage of the common expenses of the association, and, to the extent not allocated in the bylaws of the association, a portion of the votes in the association;

(c) In a planned community, a fraction or percentage of the common expenses of the association and, to the extent not allocated in the bylaws of the association, a portion of the votes in the association; except that, in a large planned community, the common expenses of the association may be paid from assessments and allocated as set forth in the declaration and the votes in the association may be allocated as set forth in the declaration.

(2) The declaration must state the formulas used to establish allocations of interests. Those allocations may not discriminate in favor of units owned by the declarant or an affiliate of the declarant.

(3) If units may be added to or withdrawn from the common interest community, the declaration must state the formulas to be used to reallocate the allocated interests among all units included in the common interest community after the addition or withdrawal.

(4) (a) The declaration may provide:

(I) That different allocations of votes shall be made to the units on particular matters specified in the declaration;

(II) For cumulative voting only for the purpose of electing members of the executive board;

(III) For class voting on specified issues affecting the class, including the election of the executive board; and

(IV) For assessments including, but not limited to, assessments on retail sales and services not to exceed six percent of the amount charged for the retail sale or service, and real estate transfers not to exceed three percent of the real estate sales price or its equivalent.

(b) A declarant may not utilize cumulative or class voting for the purpose of evading any limitation imposed on declarants by this article, nor may units constitute a class because they are owned by a declarant.

(c) Assessments allowed under subparagraph (IV) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (4) shall be entitled to the lien provided for under section 38-33.3-316 (1) but shall not be entitled to the priority established by section 38-33.3-316 (2) (b).

(d) Communities with classes for voting specified in the declaration as allowed pursuant to subparagraph (III) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (4) may designate classes of members on a reasonable basis which do not allow the declarant to control the association beyond the period provided for in section 38-33.3-303, including, without limitation, residence owners, commercial space owners, and owners of lodging space and to elect members to the association executive board from such classes.

(5) Except for minor variations due to the rounding of fractions or percentages, the sum of the common expense liabilities and, in a condominium, the sum of the undivided interests in the common elements allocated at any time to all the units shall each equal one if stated as fractions or one hundred percent if stated as percentages. In the event of discrepancy between an allocated interest and the result derived from application of the pertinent formula, the allocated interest prevails.

(6) In a condominium, the common elements are not subject to partition except as allowed for in section 38-33.3-312, and any purported conveyance, encumbrance, judicial sale, or other voluntary or involuntary transfer of an undivided interest in the common elements not allowed for in section 38-33.3-312, that is made without the unit to which that interest is allocated is void.

(7) In a cooperative, any purported conveyance, encumbrance, judicial sale, or other voluntary or involuntary transfer of an ownership interest in the association made without the possessory interest in the unit to which that interest is related is void.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1719, § 1, effective July 1, 1992. L. 93: (1) amended, p. 647, § 11, effective April 30. L. 94: (1)(c) and (4)(a) amended and (4)(c) and (4)(d) added, p. 2847, § 4, effective July 1. L. 95: (4)(a)(IV) amended, p. 238, § 4, effective July 1. L. 98: (4)(a)(III), (4)(a)(IV), and (4)(d) amended, p. 480, § 5, effective July 1. L. 2002: (6) amended, p. 767, § 3, effective August 7.

Document 9 of 23

38-33.3-208. Limited common elements.

Statute text

(1) Except for the limited common elements described in section 38-33.3-202 (1) (b) and (1) (d), the declaration shall specify to which unit or units each limited common element is allocated. That allocation may not be altered without the consent of the unit owners whose units are affected.

(2) Subject to any provisions of the declaration, a limited common element may be reallocated between or among units after compliance with the procedure set forth in this subsection (2). In order to reallocate limited common elements between or among units, the unit owners of those units, as the applicants, must submit an application for approval of the proposed reallocation to the executive board, which application shall be executed by those unit owners and shall include:

(a) The proposed form for an amendment to the declaration as may be necessary to show the reallocation of limited common elements between or among units;

(b) A deposit against attorney fees and costs which the association will incur in reviewing and effectuating the application, in an amount reasonably estimated by the executive board; and

(c) Such other information as may be reasonably requested by the executive board. No reallocation shall be effective without the approval of the executive board. The reallocation shall be effectuated by an amendment signed by the association and by those unit owners between or among whose units the reallocation is made, which amendment shall be recorded as provided in section 38-33.3-217 (3). All costs and attorney fees incurred by the association as a result of the application shall be the sole obligation of the applicants.

(3) A common element not previously allocated as a limited common element may be so allocated only pursuant to provisions in the declaration made in accordance with section 38-33.3-205 (1) (g). The allocations must be made by amendments to the declaration prepared, executed, and recorded by the declarant.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1720, § 1, effective July 1, 1992.

Document 10 of 23

38-33.3-209. Plats and maps.

Statute text

(1) A plat or map is a part of the declaration and is required for all common interest communities except cooperatives. A plat or map is not required by this article if all the information required by this section is contained in the declaration. Each plat or map must be clear and legible. Each map must contain a certification that the map contains all the information required by this section.

(2) In addition to meeting the requirements of a land survey plat as set forth in section 38-51-106, each map must show:

(a) The name and a general schematic plan of the entire common interest community;

(b) The location and dimensions of all real estate not subject to development rights, or subject only to the development right to withdraw, and the location and dimensions of all existing improvements within that real estate;

(c) A legally sufficient description of any real estate subject to development rights, labeled to identify the rights applicable to each parcel;

(d) The extent of any existing encroachments across any common interest community boundary;

(e) To the extent feasible, a legally sufficient description of all easements serving or burdening any portion of the common interest community;

(f) The location and dimensions of any vertical boundaries not shown or projected on maps recorded pursuant to subsection (4) of this section and that unit's identifying number;

(g) The location, with reference to established data, of horizontal boundaries, if any, not shown or projected on maps recorded pursuant to subsection (4) of this section, and that unit's identifying number;

(h) A legally sufficient description of any real estate in which the unit owners will own only an estate for years, labeled as "leasehold real estate";

(i) The distance between noncontiguous parcels of real estate comprising the common interest community; and

(j) The approximate location and dimensions of limited common elements, including porches, balconies, and patios, other than the limited common elements described in section 38-33.3-202 (1) (b) and (1) (d).

(3) (Deleted by amendment, L. 93, p. 648, § 12, effective April 30, 1993.)

(4) To the extent not shown or projected on the plats, maps of the units must show or project:

(a) The location and dimensions of the vertical boundaries of each unit and that unit's identifying number;

(b) Horizontal boundaries, if any, with reference to all established data, and that unit's identifying number;

(c) Any units in which the declarant has reserved the right to create additional units or common elements, identified appropriately; and

(d) The approximate location and dimensions of limited common elements, including porches, balconies, and patios, other than parking spaces and other than common elements described in section 38-33.3-202 (1) (b) and (1) (d).

(5) Unless the declaration provides otherwise, the horizontal boundaries of any part of a unit located outside of a building have the same elevation as the horizontal boundaries of the inside part and need not be depicted on the plats and maps.

(6) Upon exercising any development right, the declarant shall record an amendment to the declaration with respect to that real estate reflecting change as a result of such exercise necessary to conform to the requirements of subsections (1), (2), and (4) of this section or new certifications of maps previously recorded if those maps otherwise conform to the requirements of subsections (1), (2), and (4) of this section.

(7) Any certification of a map required by this article must be made by a registered land surveyor.

(8) The requirements of a plat or map under this article shall not be deemed to satisfy any subdivision platting requirement enacted by a county or municipality pursuant to section 30-28-133, C.R.S., part 1 of article 23 of title 31, C.R.S., or a similar provision of a home rule city, nor shall the plat or map requirements under this article be deemed to be incorporated into any subdivision platting requirements enacted by a county or municipality.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1721, § 1, effective July 1, 1992. L. 93: (2)(a), (2)(f), (2)(g), (3), and (4)(b) amended, p. 648, § 12, effective April 30. L. 94: IP(2) amended, p. 1510, § 45, effective July 1. L. 97: IP(2) amended, p. 151, § 3, effective March 28. L. 98: (1), IP(2), (6), and (7) amended, p. 480, § 6, effective July 1.

Annotations

ANNOTATION

Annotations

Airplane runway and retained easement across the runway were not required to be depicted on a subdivision plat pursuant to subsections (2)(b) and (2)(e) because the runway was not a dedicated common area subject to the subdivision declarations and the easement therefore did not burden any part of the subdivision. Brush Creek Airport, L.L.C. v. Avion Park, L.L.C., 57 P.3d 738 (Colo. App. 2002).

Document 11 of 23

38-33.3-210. Exercise of development rights.

Statute text

(1) To exercise any development right reserved under section 38-33.3-205 (1) (h), the declarant shall prepare, execute, and record an amendment to the declaration and, in a condominium or planned community, comply with the provisions of section 38-33.3-209. The declarant is the unit owner of any units thereby created. The amendment to the declaration must assign an identifying number to each new unit created and, except in the case of subdivision or conversion of units described in subsection (3) of this section, reallocate the allocated interests among all units. The amendment must describe any common elements and any limited common elements thereby created and, in the case of limited common elements, designate the unit to which each is allocated to the extent required by section 38-33.3-208.

(2) Additional development rights not previously reserved may be reserved within any real estate added to the common interest community if the amendment adding that real estate includes all matters required by section 38-33.3-205 or 38-33.3-206, as the case may be, and, in a condominium or planned community, the plats and maps include all matters required by section 38-33.3-209. This provision does not extend the time limit on the exercise of development rights imposed by the declaration pursuant to section 38-33.3-205 (1) (h).

(3) Whenever a declarant exercises a development right to subdivide or convert a unit previously created into additional units, common elements, or both:

(a) If the declarant converts the unit entirely to common elements, the amendment to the declaration must reallocate all the allocated interests of that unit among the other units as if that unit had been taken by eminent domain; and

(b) If the declarant subdivides the unit into two or more units, whether or not any part of the unit is converted into common elements, the amendment to the declaration must reallocate all the allocated interests of the unit among the units created by the subdivision in any reasonable manner prescribed by the declarant.

(4) If the declaration provides, pursuant to section 38-33.3-205, that all or a portion of the real estate is subject to a right of withdrawal:

(a) If all the real estate is subject to withdrawal, and the declaration does not describe separate portions of real estate subject to that right, none of the real estate may be withdrawn after a unit has been conveyed to a purchaser; and

(b) If any portion of the real estate is subject to withdrawal, it may not be withdrawn after a unit in that portion has been conveyed to a purchaser.

(5) If a declarant fails to exercise any development right within the time limit and in accordance with any conditions or fixed limitations described in the declaration pursuant to section 38-33.3-205 (1) (h), or records an instrument surrendering a development right, that development right shall lapse unless the association, upon the request of the declarant or the owner of the real estate subject to development right, agrees to an extension of the time period for exercise of the development right or a reinstatement of the development right subject to whatever terms, conditions, and limitations the association may impose on the subsequent exercise of the development right. The extension or renewal of the development right and any terms, conditions, and limitations shall be included in an amendment executed by the declarant or the owner of the real estate subject to development right and the association.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1723, § 1, effective July 1, 1992. L. 93: (5) amended, p. 648, § 13, effective April 30. L. 98: (2) amended, p. 481, § 7, effective July 1.

Document 12 of 23

38-33.3-211. Alterations of units.

Statute text

(1) Subject to the provisions of the declaration and other provisions of law, a unit owner:

(a) May make any improvements or alterations to his unit that do not impair the structural integrity, electrical systems, or mechanical systems or lessen the support of any portion of the common interest community;

(b) May not change the appearance of the common elements without permission of the association; or

(c) After acquiring an adjoining unit or an adjoining part of an adjoining unit, may remove or alter any intervening partition or create apertures therein, even if the partition in whole or in part is a common element, if those acts do not impair the structural integrity, electrical systems, or mechanical systems or lessen the support of any portion of the common interest community. Removal of partitions or creation of apertures under this paragraph (c) is not an alteration of boundaries.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1724, § 1, effective July 1, 1992.

Document 13 of 23

38-33.3-212. Relocation of boundaries between adjoining units.

Statute text

(1) Subject to the provisions of the declaration and other provisions of law, and pursuant to the procedures described in section 38-33.3-217, the boundaries between adjoining units may be relocated by an amendment to the declaration upon application to the association by the owners of those units.

(2) In order to relocate the boundaries between adjoining units, the owners of those units, as the applicant, must submit an application to the executive board, which application shall be executed by those owners and shall include:

(a) Evidence sufficient to the executive board that the applicant has complied with all local rules and ordinances and that the proposed relocation of boundaries does not violate the terms of any document evidencing a security interest;

(b) The proposed reallocation of interests, if any;

(c) The proposed form for amendments to the declaration, including the plats or maps, as may be necessary to show the altered boundaries between adjoining units, and their dimensions and identifying numbers;

(d) A deposit against attorney fees and costs which the association will incur in reviewing and effectuating the application, in an amount reasonably estimated by the executive board; and

(e) Such other information as may be reasonably requested by the executive board.

(3) No relocation of boundaries between adjoining units shall be effected without the necessary amendments to the declaration, plats, or maps, executed and recorded pursuant to section 38-33.3-217 (3) and (5).

(4) All costs and attorney fees incurred by the association as a result of an application shall be the sole obligation of the applicant.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1725, § 1, effective July 1, 1992.

Document 14 of 23

38-33.3-213. Subdivision of units.

Statute text

(1) If the declaration expressly so permits, a unit may be subdivided into two or more units. Subject to the provisions of the declaration and other provisions of law, and pursuant to the procedures described in this section, a unit owner may apply to the association to subdivide a unit.

(2) In order to subdivide a unit, the unit owner of such unit, as the applicant, must submit an application to the executive board, which application shall be executed by such owner and shall include:

(a) Evidence that the applicant of the proposed subdivision shall have complied with all building codes, fire codes, zoning codes, planned unit development requirements, master plans, and other applicable ordinances or resolutions adopted and enforced by the local governing body and that the proposed subdivision does not violate the terms of any document evidencing a security interest encumbering the unit;

(b) The proposed reallocation of interests, if any;

(c) The proposed form for amendments to the declaration, including the plats or maps, as may be necessary to show the units which are created by the subdivision and their dimensions, and identifying numbers;

(d) A deposit against attorney fees and costs which the association will incur in reviewing and effectuating the application, in an amount reasonably estimated by the executive board; and

(e) Such other information as may be reasonably requested by the executive board.

(3) No subdivision of units shall be effected without the necessary amendments to the declaration, plats, or maps, executed and recorded pursuant to section 38-33.3-217 (3) and (5).

(4) All costs and attorney fees incurred by the association as a result of an application shall be the sole obligation of the applicant.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1726, § 1, effective July 1, 1992. L. 98: (1) amended, p. 481, § 8, effective July 1.

Document 15 of 23

38-33.3-214. Easement for encroachments.

Statute text

To the extent that any unit or common element encroaches on any other unit or common element, a valid easement for the encroachment exists. The easement does not relieve a unit owner of liability in case of willful misconduct nor relieve a declarant or any other person of liability for failure to adhere to the plats and maps.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1727, § 1, effective July 1, 1992.

Document 16 of 23

38-33.3-215. Use for sales purposes.

Statute text

A declarant may maintain sales offices, management offices, and models in the common interest community only if the declaration so provides. Except as provided in a declaration, any real estate in a common interest community used as a sales office, management office, or model and not designated a unit by the declaration is a common element. If a declarant ceases to be a unit owner, such declarant ceases to have any rights with regard to any real estate used as a sales office, management office, or model, unless it is removed promptly from the common interest community in accordance with a right to remove reserved in the declaration. Subject to any limitations in the declaration, a declarant may maintain signs on the common elements advertising the common interest community. This section is subject to the provisions of other state laws and to local ordinances.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1727, § 1, effective July 1, 1992. L. 98: Entire section amended, p. 481, § 9, effective July 1.

Document 17 of 23

38-33.3-216. Easement rights.

Statute text

(1) Subject to the provisions of the declaration, a declarant has an easement through the common elements as may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of discharging a declarant's obligations or exercising special declarant rights, whether arising under this article or reserved in the declaration.

(2) In a planned community, subject to the provisions of the declaration and the ability of the association to regulate and convey or encumber the common elements as set forth in sections 38-33.3-302 (1) (f) and 38-33.3-312, the unit owners have an easement:

(a) In the common elements for the purpose of access to their units; and

(b) To use the common elements and all other real estate that must become common elements for all other purposes.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1727, § 1, effective July 1, 1992.

Document 18 of 23

38-33.3-217. Amendment of declaration.

Statute text

(1) Except in cases of amendments that may be executed by a declarant under section 38-33.3-205 (4) and (5), 38-33.3-208 (3), 38-33.3-209 (6), 38-33.3-210, or 38-33.3-222, by an association under section 38-33.3-107, 38-33.3-206 (4), 38-33.3-208 (2), 38-33.3-212, 38-33.3-213, or 38-33.3-218 (11) and (12), or by the district court for any county that includes all or any portion of a common interest community under subsection (7) of this section, and except as limited by subsection (4) of this section, the declaration, including the plats and maps, may be amended only by vote or agreement of unit owners of units to which more than fifty percent of the votes in the association are allocated or any larger percentage the declaration specifies. The declaration may specify a smaller percentage only if all of the units are restricted exclusively to nonresidential use.

(2) No action to challenge the validity of an amendment adopted by the association pursuant to this section may be brought more than one year after the amendment is recorded.

(3) Every amendment to the declaration must be recorded in every county in which any portion of the common interest community is located and is effective only upon recordation. An amendment must be indexed in the grantee's index in the name of the common interest community and the association and in the grantor's index in the name of each person executing the amendment.

(4) Except to the extent expressly permitted or required by other provisions of this article, no amendment may create or increase special declarant rights, increase the number of units, or change the boundaries of any unit or the allocated interests of a unit in the absence of a vote or agreement of unit owners of units to which at least sixty-seven percent of the votes in the association, including sixty-seven percent of the votes allocated to units not owned by a declarant, are allocated or any larger percentage the declaration specifies. The declaration may specify a smaller percentage only if all of the units are restricted exclusively to nonresidential use.

(4.5) Except to the extent expressly permitted or required by other provisions of this article, no amendment may change the uses to which any unit is restricted in the absence of a vote or agreement of unit owners of units to which at least sixty-seven percent of the votes in the association are allocated or any larger percentage the declaration specifies. The declaration may specify a smaller percentage only if all of the units are restricted exclusively to nonresidential use.

(5) Amendments to the declaration required by this article to be recorded by the association shall be prepared, executed, recorded, and certified on behalf of the association by any officer of the association designated for that purpose or, in the absence of designation, by the president of the association.

(6) All expenses associated with preparing and recording an amendment to the declaration shall be the sole responsibility of:

(a) In the case of an amendment pursuant to sections 38-33.3-208 (2), 38-33.3-212, and 38-33.3-213, the unit owners desiring the amendment; and

(b) In the case of an amendment pursuant to section 38-33.3-208 (3), 38-33.3-209 (6), or 38-33.3-210, the declarant; and

(7) (a) The association, acting through its executive board pursuant to section 38-33.3-303 (1), may petition the district court for any county that includes all or any portion of the common interest community for an order amending the declaration of the common interest community if:

(I) The association has twice sent notice of the proposed amendment to all unit owners that are entitled by the declaration to vote on the proposed amendment or are required for approval of the proposed amendment by any means allowed pursuant to the provisions regarding notice to members in sections 7-121-402 and 7-127-104, C.R.S., of the "Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act", articles 121 to 137 of title 7, C.R.S.;

(II) The association has discussed the proposed amendment during at least one meeting of the association; and

(III) Unit owners of units to which are allocated more than fifty percent of the number of consents, approvals, or votes of the association that would be required to adopt the proposed amendment pursuant to the declaration have voted in favor of the proposed amendment.

(b) A petition filed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (7) shall include:

(I) A summary of:

(A) The procedures and requirements for amending the declaration that are set forth in the declaration;

(B) The proposed amendment to the declaration;

(C) The effect of and reason for the proposed amendment, including a statement of the circumstances that make the amendment necessary or advisable;

(D) The results of any vote taken with respect to the proposed amendment; and

(E) Any other matters that the association believes will be useful to the court in deciding whether to grant the petition; and

(II) As exhibits, copies of:

(A) The declaration as originally recorded and any recorded amendments to the declaration;

(B) The text of the proposed amendment;

(D) Any other documents that the association believes will be useful to the court in deciding whether to grant the petition.

(c) Within three days of the filing of the petition, the district court shall set a date for hearing the petition. Unless the court finds that an emergency requires an immediate hearing, the hearing shall be held no earlier than forty-five days and no later than sixty days after the date the association filed the petition.

(d) No later than ten days after the date for hearing a petition is set pursuant to paragraph (c) of this subsection (7), the association shall:

(I) Send notice of the petition by any written means allowed pursuant to the provisions regarding notice to members in sections 7-121-402 and 7-127-104, C.R.S., of the "Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act", articles 121 to 137 of title 7, C.R.S., to any unit owner, by first-class mail, postage prepaid or by hand delivery to any declarant, and by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to any lender that holds a security interest in one or more units and is entitled by the declaration or any underwriting guidelines or requirements of that lender or of the federal national mortgage association, the federal home loan mortgage corporation, the federal housing administration, the veterans administration, or the government national mortgage corporation to vote on the proposed amendment. The notice shall include:

(A) A copy of the petition which need not include the exhibits attached to the original petition filed with the district court;

(B) The date the district court will hear the petition; and

(C) A statement that the court may grant the petition and order the proposed amendment to the declaration unless any declarant entitled by the declaration to vote on the proposed amendment, the federal housing administration, the veterans administration, more than thirty-three percent of the unit owners entitled by the declaration to vote on the proposed amendment, or more than thirty-three percent of the lenders that hold a security interest in one or more units and are entitled by the declaration to vote on the proposed amendment file written objections to the proposed amendment with the court prior to the hearing.

(II) File with the district court:

(A) A list of the names and mailing addresses of declarants, unit owners, and lenders that hold a security interest in one or more units and that are entitled by the declaration to vote on the proposed amendment; and

(B) A copy of the notice required by subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (d).

(e) The district court shall grant the petition after hearing if it finds that:

(I) The association has complied with all requirements of this subsection (7);

(II) No more than thirty-three percent of the unit owners entitled by the declaration to vote on the proposed amendment have filed written objections to the proposed amendment with the court prior to the hearing;

(III) Neither the federal housing administration nor the veterans administration is entitled to approve the proposed amendment, or if so entitled has not filed written objections to the proposed amendment with the court prior to the hearing;

(IV) Either the proposed amendment does not eliminate any rights or privileges designated in the declaration as belonging to a declarant or no declarant has filed written objections to the proposed amendment with the court prior to the hearing;

(V) Either the proposed amendment does not eliminate any rights or privileges designated in the declaration as belonging to any lenders that hold security interests in one or more units and that are entitled by the declaration to vote on the proposed amendment or no more than thirty-three percent of such lenders have filed written objections to the proposed amendment with the court prior to the hearing; and

(VI) The proposed amendment would neither terminate the declaration nor change the allocated interests of the unit owners as specified in the declaration, except as allowed pursuant to section 38-33.3-315.

(f) Upon granting a petition, the court shall enter an order approving the proposed amendment and requiring the association to record the amendment in each county that includes all or any portion of the common interest community. Once recorded, the amendment shall have the same legal effect as if it were adopted pursuant to any requirements set forth in the declaration.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1727, § 1, effective July 1, 1992. L. 93: (1) amended, p. 649, § 14, effective April 30. L. 98: (1) and (4) amended and (4.5) added, p. 482, § 10, effective July 1. L. 99: (1) amended and (7) added, p. 692, § 1, effective May 19; (1) amended, p. 629, § 38, effective August 4.

Annotations

Editor's note: Amendments to subsection (1) by Senate Bill 99-221 and House Bill 99-1360 were harmonized.

Document 19 of 23

38-33.3-218. Termination of common interest community.

Statute text

(1) Except in the case of a taking of all the units by eminent domain, or in the case of foreclosure against an entire cooperative of a security interest that has priority over the declaration, a common interest community may be terminated only by agreement of unit owners of units to which at least sixty-seven percent of the votes in the association are allocated or any larger percentage the declaration specifies. The declaration may specify a smaller percentage only if all of the units in the common interest community are restricted exclusively to nonresidential uses.

(2) An agreement of unit owners to terminate must be evidenced by their execution of a termination agreement or ratifications thereof in the same manner as a deed, by the requisite number of unit owners. The termination agreement must specify a date after which the agreement will be void unless it is recorded before that date. A termination agreement and all ratifications thereof must be recorded in every county in which a portion of the common interest community is situated and is effective only upon recordation.

(3) In the case of a condominium or planned community containing only units having horizontal boundaries described in the declaration, a termination agreement may provide that all of the common elements and units of the common interest community must be sold following termination. If, pursuant to the agreement, any real estate in the common interest community is to be sold following termination, the termination agreement must set forth the minimum terms of the sale.

(4) In the case of a condominium or planned community containing any units not having horizontal boundaries described in the declaration, a termination agreement may provide for sale of the common elements, but it may not require that the units be sold following termination, unless the declaration as originally recorded provided otherwise or all the unit owners consent to the sale.

(5) Subject to the provisions of a termination agreement described in subsections (3) and (4) of this section, the association, on behalf of the unit owners, may contract for the sale of real estate in a common interest community following termination, but the contract is not binding on the unit owners until approved pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) of this section. If any real estate is to be sold following termination, title to that real estate, upon termination, vests in the association as trustee for the holders of all interests in the units. Thereafter, the association has all the powers necessary and appropriate to effect the sale. Until the sale has been concluded and the proceeds thereof distributed, the association continues in existence with all the powers it had before termination. Proceeds of the sale must be distributed to unit owners and lienholders as their interests may appear, in accordance with subsections (8), (9), and (10) of this section, taking into account the value of property owned or distributed that is not sold so as to preserve the proportionate interests of each unit owner with respect to all property cumulatively. Unless otherwise specified in the termination agreement, as long as the association holds title to the real estate, each unit owner and the unit owner's successors in interest have an exclusive right to occupancy of the portion of the real estate that formerly constituted the unit. During the period of that occupancy, each unit owner and the unit owner's successors in interest remain liable for all assessments and other obligations imposed on unit owners by this article or the declaration.

(6) (a) In a planned community, if all or a portion of the common elements are not to be sold following termination, title to the common elements not sold vests in the unit owners upon termination as tenants in common in fractional interests that maintain, after taking into account the fair market value of property owned and the proceeds of property sold, their respective interests as provided in subsection (10) of this section with respect to all property appraised under said subsection (10), and liens on the units shift accordingly.

(b) In a common interest community, containing units having horizontal boundaries described in the declaration, title to the units not to be sold following termination vests in the unit owners upon termination as tenants in common in fractional interests that maintain, after taking into account the fair market value of property owned and the proceeds of property sold, their respective interests as provided in subsection (10) of this section with respect to all property appraised under said subsection (10), and liens on the units shift accordingly. While the tenancy in common exists, each unit owner and the unit owner's successors in interest have an exclusive right to occupancy of the portion of the real estate that formerly constituted such unit.

(7) Following termination of the common interest community, the proceeds of any sale of real estate, together with the assets of the association, are held by the association as trustee for unit owners and holders of liens on the units as their interests may appear.

(8) Upon termination of a condominium or planned community, creditors of the association who obtain a lien and duly record it in every county in which any portion of the common interest community is located are to be treated as if they had perfected liens on the units immediately before termination or when the lien is obtained and recorded, whichever is later.

(9) In a cooperative, the declaration may provide that all creditors of the association have priority over any interests of unit owners and creditors of unit owners. In that event, upon termination, creditors of the association who obtain a lien and duly record it in every county in which any portion of the cooperative is located are to be treated as if they had perfected liens against the cooperative immediately before termination or when the lien is obtained and recorded, whichever is later. Unless the declaration provides that all creditors of the association have that priority:

(a) The lien of each creditor of the association which was perfected against the association before termination becomes, upon termination, a lien against each unit owner's interest in the unit as of the date the lien was perfected;

(b) Any other creditor of the association who obtains a lien and duly records it in every county in which any portion of the cooperative is located is to be treated upon termination as if the creditor had perfected a lien against each unit owner's interest immediately before termination or when the lien is obtained and recorded, whichever is later;

(c) The amount of the lien of an association's creditor described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (9) against each unit owner's interest must be proportionate to the ratio which each unit's common expense liability bears to the common expense liability of all of the units;

(d) The lien of each creditor of each unit owner which was perfected before termination continues as a lien against that unit owner's unit as of the date the lien was perfected; and

(e) The assets of the association must be distributed to all unit owners and all lienholders as their interests may appear in the order described above. Creditors of the association are not entitled to payment from any unit owner in excess of the amount of the creditor's lien against that unit owner's interest.

(10) The respective interests of unit owners referred to in subsections (5) to (9) of this section are as follows:

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection (10), the respective interests of unit owners are the combined fair market values of their units, allocated interests, any limited common elements, and, in the case of a planned community, any tenant in common interest, immediately before the termination, as determined by one or more independent appraisers selected by the association. The decision of the independent appraisers shall be distributed to the unit owners and becomes final unless disapproved within thirty days after distribution by unit owners of units to which twenty-five percent of the votes in the association are allocated. The proportion of any unit owner's interest to that of all unit owners is determined by dividing the fair market value of that unit owner's unit and its allocated interests by the total fair market values of all the units and their allocated interests.

(b) If any unit or any limited common element is destroyed to the extent that an appraisal of the fair market value thereof prior to destruction cannot be made, the interests of all unit owners are:

(I) In a condominium, their respective common element interests immediately before the termination;

(II) In a cooperative, their respective ownership interests immediately before the termination; and

(III) In a planned community, their respective common expense liabilities immediately before the termination.

(11) In a condominium or planned community, except as provided in subsection (12) of this section, foreclosure or enforcement of a lien or encumbrance against the entire common interest community does not terminate, of itself, the common interest community. Foreclosure or enforcement of a lien or encumbrance against a portion of the common interest community other than withdrawable real estate does not withdraw that portion from the common interest community. Foreclosure or enforcement of a lien or encumbrance against withdrawable real estate does not withdraw, of itself, that real estate from the common interest community, but the person taking title thereto may require from the association, upon request, an amendment to the declaration excluding the real estate from the common interest community prepared, executed, and recorded by the association.

(12) In a condominium or planned community, if a lien or encumbrance against a portion of the real estate comprising the common interest community has priority over the declaration and the lien or encumbrance has not been partially released, the parties foreclosing the lien or encumbrance, upon foreclosure, may record an instrument excluding the real estate subject to that lien or encumbrance from the common interest community. The board of directors shall reallocate interests as if the foreclosed section were taken by eminent domain by an amendment to the declaration prepared, executed, and recorded by the association.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1728, § 1, effective July 1, 1992. L. 93: (1), (5), (6), (8), IP(9), (9)(b), and (10)(a) amended, p. 649, § 15, effective April 30.

Document 20 of 23

38-33.3-219. Rights of secured lenders.

Statute text

(1) The declaration may require that all or a specified number or percentage of the lenders who hold security interests encumbering the units approve specified actions of the unit owners or the association as a condition to the effectiveness of those actions, but no requirement for approval may operate to:

(a) Deny or delegate control over the general administrative affairs of the association by the unit owners or the executive board; or

(b) Prevent the association or the executive board from commencing, intervening in, or settling any solicitation or proceeding; or

(c) Prevent any insurance trustee or the association from receiving and distributing any insurance proceeds pursuant to section 38-33.3-313.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1732, § 1, effective July 1, 1992.

Document 21 of 23

38-33.3-220. Master associations.

Statute text

(1) If the declaration provides that any of the powers of a unit owners' association described in section 38-33.3-302 are to be exercised by or may be delegated to a master association, all provisions of this article applicable to unit owners' associations apply to any such master association except as modified by this section.

(2) Unless it is acting in the capacity of an association described in section 38-33.3-301, a master association may exercise the powers set forth in section 38-33.3-302 (1) (b) only to the extent such powers are expressly permitted to be exercised by a master association in the declarations of common interest communities which are part of the master association or expressly described in the delegations of power from those common interest communities to the master association.

(3) If the declaration of any common interest community provides that the executive board may delegate certain powers to a master association, the members of the executive board have no liability for the acts or omissions of the master association with respect to those powers following delegation.

(4) The rights and responsibilities of unit owners with respect to the unit owners' association set forth in sections 38-33.3-303, 38-33.3-308, 38-33.3-309, 38.33.3-310, and 38-33.3-312 apply in the conduct of the affairs of a master association only to persons who elect the board of a master association, whether or not those persons are otherwise unit owners within the meaning of this article.

(5) Even if a master association is also an association described in section 38-33.3-301, the articles of incorporation and the declaration of each common interest community, the powers of which are assigned by the declaration or delegated to the master association, must provide that the executive board of the master association be elected after the period of declarant control, if any, in one of the following ways:

(a) All unit owners of all common interest communities subject to the master association may elect all members of the master association's executive board.

(b) All members of the executive boards of all common interest communities subject to the master association may elect all members of the master association's executive board.

(c) All unit owners of each common interest community subject to the master association may elect specified members of the master association's executive board.

(d) All members of the executive board of each common interest community subject to the master association may elect specified members of the master association's executive board.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1733, § 1, effective July 1, 1992. L. 98: (1) amended, p. 482, § 11, effective July 1.

Document 22 of 23

38-33.3-221. Merger or consolidation of common interest communities.

Statute text

(1) Any two or more common interest communities of the same form of ownership, by agreement of the unit owners as provided in subsection (2) of this section, may be merged or consolidated into a single common interest community. In the event of a merger or consolidation, unless the agreement otherwise provides, the resultant common interest community is the legal successor, for all purposes, of all of the preexisting common interest communities, and the operations and activities of all associations of the preexisting common interest communities are merged or consolidated into a single association that holds all powers, rights, obligations, assets, and liabilities of all preexisting associations.

(2) An agreement of two or more common interest communities to merge or consolidate pursuant to subsection (1) of this section must be evidenced by an agreement prepared, executed, recorded, and certified by the president of the association of each of the preexisting common interest communities following approval by owners of units to which are allocated the percentage of votes in each common interest community required to terminate that common interest community. The agreement must be recorded in every county in which a portion of the common interest community is located and is not effective until recorded.

(3) Every merger or consolidation agreement must provide for the reallocation of the allocated interests in the new association among the units of the resultant common interest community either by stating the reallocations or the formulas upon which they are based.

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1734, § 1, effective July 1, 1992.

Document 23 of 23

38-33.3-222. Addition of unspecified real estate.

Statute text

In a common interest community, if the right is originally reserved in the declaration, the declarant, in addition to any other development right, may amend the declaration at any time during as many years as are specified in the declaration to add additional real estate to the common interest community without describing the location of that real estate in the original declaration; but the area of real estate added to the common interest community pursuant to this section may not exceed ten percent of the total area of real estate described in section 38-33.3-205 (1) (c) and (1) (h), and the declarant may not in any event increase the number of units in the common interest community beyond the number stated in the original declaration pursuant to section 38-33.3-205 (1) (d), except as provided in section 38-33.3-217 (4).

History

Source: L. 91: Entire article added, p. 1735, § 1, effective July 1, 1992. L. 98: Entire section amended, p. 483, § 12, effective July 1.

——————————