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A red sandstone spire in Garden of the Gods, Colorado, at sunrise
RESERVE STUDIES IN COLORADO

Colorado reserve planning

SmartProperty® helps Colorado HOAs and condominiums turn the state’s required reserve policy into a real plan. Existing associations don’t need a study by law, but a policy with nothing behind it leaves the board exposed.

Policy requiredEvery association must adopt a written reserve policy
30-year studyDevelopers must commission one before turnover, since August 12, 2026
45 daysFor a former manager to hand over records under the new law
WHAT COLORADO REQUIRES

Colorado requires a policy.
It doesn’t require the study.

The Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act asks every association what it plans to do about reserves, and HB26-1099 added a developer duty in 2026.

CCIOA · C.R.S. § 38-33.3-209.5

A written reserve policy for every association

  • The policy must say whether the association conducts reserve studies and how often.
  • It must say whether the study includes both physical and financial analysis.
  • It must say whether there is a funding plan and where the money will come from.
  • No unit-count, age or budget exemptions apply. There is no required study schedule or minimum funding level.
HB26-1099 · EFFECTIVE AUGUST 12, 2026

New duties for developers and managers

  • Before control passes to owners, the developer must commission and pay for an independent 30-year reserve study (§ 38-33.3-209.2).
  • The study is delivered with association property and added to annual owner disclosures.
  • A former management company must turn over all records within 45 days, or owe the association $250 per business day and more if willful.
Read the full Colorado reserve law guide
WHY IT MATTERS IN COLORADO

A policy on paper
is not a funding plan.

The prudent business person standard still applies

Colorado law says an internally conducted study is sufficient, but a volunteer-prepared study raises the risk of underestimates and liability claims. An independent specialist is the safer record.

The legislature set a 30-year benchmark

HB26-1099 requires a 30-year study for new communities. An existing association has no such duty, but can use the same standard for its own plan.

Lender rules fill the funding gap

Colorado sets no minimum funding. Fannie Mae’s reserve minimum rises from 10% to 15% of assessment income for loan applications dated on or after January 4, 2027, or the budget must fund a current study’s highest recommended contribution.

HOW SMARTPROPERTY HELPS

Compliance is the floor.
Funding stability is the goal.

Full reserve studies and updates

A site-inspected study to start, then updates as costs and conditions change, so the board always has a current plan.

A plan that stays current

The Living Reserve Study® updates as projects are completed and costs change, so your plan is ready for the next update or budget.

Funding options the board can compare

Model higher contributions, special assessments, loans or lines of credit side by side before you take a recommendation to owners.

Numbers you can explain

Atlas shows the cost data and useful-life assumptions behind every figure, so boards can answer owner questions with confidence.

TALK WITH SMARTPROPERTY ABOUT COLORADO

Get your Colorado reserve plan
on solid ground.

See how the Living Reserve Study® works for your community, or tell us about your association and we’ll put together a proposal.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons: Garden of the Gods at sunrise: mark byzewski, CC BY 2.0. Colorado law summary is not legal advice. Confirm your association’s obligations with Colorado counsel.