As Colorado communities enter October, now is a good time for HOA and condominium boards to review their snow and ice removal procedures—before the first storm puts them to the test. Start with something simple: make sure everyone knows who is responsible for what. Depending on the community, the association may maintain sidewalks, stairs, parking lots, private streets, and other common areas, while owners may be responsible for individual driveways or walkways. Those respons

As summer winds down, HOA and condominium communities should start preparing common-area plumbing and irrigation systems for colder weather. A few simple steps now can help prevent an expensive water loss later. Boards and managers should identify exterior hose bibs, irrigation backflow devices, clubhouse plumbing, pool equipment, and water lines located in unheated areas. Irrigation systems should be scheduled for winterization before temperatures consistently drop below fre

A recent 9NEWS story reported that a former Colorado HOA president is accused of stealing nearly $150,000 from his neighborhood association. For HOA boards, this is a good reminder of exactly why Fidelity Insurance exists. Fidelity coverage is designed to protect an association when someone entrusted with association funds steals or dishonestly takes that money. Depending on the specific policy wording and facts of the loss, a properly structured Fidelity policy could reimbur

By Devon Schad, President of Schad Agency Over the past several years, community associations have experienced what I previously referred to as "Capital Whiplash." Following years of catastrophic losses, inflation, rising construction costs, and reduced reinsurance capacity, insurance carriers were forced to dramatically increase rates, reduce coverage options, and increase deductibles. The good news is that the market continues to move in a more favorable direction. Recent J

HOA Buyer Document Review – AI Search Prompt Checklist This version is formatted for easy copy/paste into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, or other AI tools when reviewing HOA documents. AI PROMPT: Review the attached HOA documents including the current year budget, reserve study (if available), last 6–12 months of board minutes, annual meeting minutes, owner communications, and insurance renewal summaries. Identify potential buyer concerns that may indicate future specia

After several years of relentless premium increases, many community associations are finally seeing something that has been in short supply: stabilization. In some cases, modest premium decreases are beginning to appear. For boards and managers who have spent multiple budget cycles navigating sharp insurance cost escalation, the shift is understandably welcome. But beneath the surface of this improving pricing environment lies a reality that the insurance industry knows well

Copper theft continues to rise across many communities, and a growing number of homeowners associations and commercial property owners are discovering that irrigation backflow preventers have become a frequent target. These devices, which protect potable water systems from contamination caused by lawn sprinkler and irrigation systems, contain copper and brass and are often installed outdoors in easily accessible locations. That combination has made them especially attractive

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