The Colorado legislature passed a bill Friday that seeks to expand the rights of mobile home residents, but only after sponsors said they were forced to make several changes weakening the measure.
As introduced, House Bill 1287 would have capped lot rent increases at mobile home parks to 3% annually or the local rate of inflation. It would have also expanded protections for mobile home residents when their parks are closed, requiring landlords to pay for the residents’ relocation costs or offer to purchase their mobile homes, and extending the time residents have to buy for-sale parks from 90 to 180 days.
On Thursday, the Senate lowered the extension to 120 days and pushed the bill’s implementation from immediately upon Gov. Polis signing it to Oct. 1. Last month, the House removed the bill’s cap on lot rent increases, which sponsors described as “the most important part of the bill.”
During the Senate’s vote, bill sponsor Sen. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, defended its numerous amendments as compromises with the industry and highlighted what is left of the decimated bill.
“This is an important step forward in preserving some of the most affordable housing in the state,” Winter said. “We are giving basic protections to mobile home park residents, making sure they have a dispute resolution process and making sure that they have adequate time (to purchase a park).”
The bill’s other sponsors have responded less favorably to the amendments. Last month, sponsor Rep. Andrew Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins, said he was forced to remove the cap on lot rent increases because of “threats” from Gov. Jared Polis. Boesenecker said the measure had enough votes to pass the House and the Senate, but said Polis would have vetoed the bill if it included the rent requirements.
Boesenecker said the amendment was “the last” he wanted to offer, saying it will force many living in mobile homes onto the streets. He said he knows of 12 people in his district alone that would be evicted if the rent keeps going up.
Over 130,000 Coloradans live in mobile homes, most of whom are elderly or low-income, according to state data.
During a public hearing for the bill, dozens of mobile home residents said lot rents in their parks have increased dramatically in recent years. Some residents said their rent increased by 39% in less than two years or by 67% in less than four, with some rent spikes occurring every six months.
Many Republican lawmakers applauded the amendments, including Sen. Chris Holbert of Douglas County, Rep. Dan Woog of Erie and Rep. Kevin Van Winkle of Highlands Ranch. The changes didn’t earn the bill any bipartisan support. In both chambers, all Democrats voted in support of the measure, and all …….