Senate advances bill to strengthen mobile-home-park residents'right-to-purchase process

House Bill 1224 moved through the Colorado Senate on May 5 with sponsor statements that the measure strengthens an existing opportunity-to-purchase program for mobile-home-park residents.

"What this bill does is improve the mobile home opportunity to purchase program that already exists in law," Senator Roberts said on the floor, describing provisions that extend timelines for resident organizing, require better disclosure of park finances and ensure residents get meaningful due diligence information.

Supporters said the changes level the playing field when parks are sold, especially in portfolio sales where community organizers must assemble financing and inspect property while competing with professional buyers. Senator Cutter said the bill protects residents from anti-competitive conduct and preserves the ability for resident ownership to keep housing affordable.

Amendments debated and not adopted included:
- L8: proposed raising the documentation threshold for invoice disclosure (from $500 to $5,000 or striking the lower threshold). The amendment failed after sponsors argued residents need disclosure of routine operating costs to make an informed bid.
- L9: a proposal to adjust cost-splitting of certain registration fees so that the park owner would shoulder more of some program fees; that amendment was also rejected.

The bill passed on the floor. Sponsors characterized the measure as preserving naturally occurring affordable housing and allowing residents time and information to mount a purchase or negotiation. The measure's final text retains the disclosure and timeline provisions as introduced on the floor, and the secretary will revise the enrolled text and move the bill toward final passage steps.