02 | 20 | 2008 Posted By Loura K. Sanchez

HB 1270 Passed By House Committee on Transportation & Energy

Yesterday, the House Committee on Transportation & Energy passed HB 1270, as amended, out of Committee by a vote of 8-5.  Based upon extensive discussions with Representative Andy Kerr, HB 1270 has been changed significantly since it was originally introduced.  The bill has been broken down into two main parts.  The First portion of the bill addresses the installation of Energy Generation Devices - which are limited to solar energy devices (currently permitted to be installed in homeowners associations under Colorado law) and wind-electric generators.  The second, and more problematic portion of the bill, addresses the installation of Energy Efficiency Measures on property owned by a homeowner.  A dialogue is ongoing with Representative Kerr to ensure that common interest communities are permitted to place reasonable aesthetic restrictions on the energy efficiency measures which include such items "an awning, shutter, trellis, ramada, or other shade structure that is marketed for the purpose of reducing energy consumption." 
 
HB 1270 is tentatively scheduled to go to the floor of the House of Representatives on Friday for action.  Representative Kerr has pledged to continue to work on language to run as an amendment on the floor of the House clarifying the ability of associations to place reasonable aesthetic restrictions on energy efficiency measures.  We will keep you updated on progress relating to the amendment and as soon as the revised bill is available we will add a link to this post so you can view it.
Written By:Terry Tucker On February 20, 2008 10:00 AM

I am concerned with whether or not the "retractable clothsline" was deleted from the bill, and whether or not we can prevent someone from hanging up their laundry on their patio or deck. Is this still an item of discussion? The back of some of our buildings face the front of others--I am sure some residents do not want laundry in their front yards.

Written By:david phifer On February 20, 2008 11:03 AM

There should be threshold of savings that an awning or like device must give in order for it to be used under this piece of legislation. Without a minimum standard almost any type of awning might be demanded to be approved by associations ACC's.

Written By:Dan Kuehl On February 20, 2008 5:02 PM

I think anything the legislature does to conserve energy consumption is great. For example, I think they should pass legislation that requires all elected officials to use multi-person mass transit to commute to/from their official duties whenever such transaportation is available. If none is available, they must then make every effort to carpool with another legislator or other elected official or with a private citizen who resides in their respective district or other boundary of representation. If neither such alternate mode of carpooling tranasportation is available, then they must seek to ride in another public vehicle which is traveling to the vicinity of their destination or to a public transportation facility. Only after exhausting such efforts should the elected official be allowed to use their private vehicle or other non-carpooling method of transport. Documentation in the form of a log book or similar record of efforts put forth and contacts made will be mandatory and available for public inspection on a quarterly basis or as otherwise requested.