With the recent snowfall this December, many front-range homeowners, particularly those living in communities governed by homeowners associations (HOAs), are concerned about timely snow removal. According to the Community Association's Institute - Rocky Mountain Chapter, anywhere from 8,000 to 12,000 community associations and hundreds of thousands of homeowners live within these governed communities in Colorado.

"HOAs exist to meet the needs and expectations of their residents by providing a safe, well-maintained living environment that preserves the nature of the community and protects property values," said Jeff Arnold, executive director of Community Associations Institute's Rocky Mountain Chapter. "Often these responsibilities include the removal of snow from common areas within the HOA community."

To find out what an HOA's responsibility is toward snow removal, Arnold recommends homeowners refer to their association's governing documents, specifically the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (Declaration). Some homeowners are surprised to find out snow removal on public streets is usually the responsibility of the city or county in which the HOA is located, not the HOA itself. The Declaration should clearly stipulate what common areas the association is responsible for maintaining including parking lots, clubhouse sidewalks, etc.

In communities consisting of single-family homes, the homeowner is typically responsible for snow removal from driveways, sidewalks and steps adjacent to their property. Enforcement of snow removal from these areas is usually overseen by the city or county the home is located, not with the HOA. Snow removal from the sidewalks, parking lots and steps of multifamily communities, such as townhouses or condominiums, typically are the responsibility of that community's HOA.

A copy of the association's Declaration is provided to each homeowner at the time the property is purchased. Additional copies may be purchased from the association, its management company, or the county recorder in the county where the property is located.

Arnold recommends homeowners contact their association's manager or a board member with any snow removal-related questions. Contact information should be posted on the HOA's website or also may be found in the association's newsletter.

Arnold added that given the recent and potential future extreme weather conditions, it is important that both homeowners and HOA board members understand clearly the governing documents of their association and both should open the lines of communication to reach snow-removal solutions that will benefit their communities.

The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Community Associations Institute is the primary organization dedicated to fostering vibrant, responsive, competent community associations in the Rocky Mountain region. More information can be found by visiting www.hoa-colorado.org.