New HOA Flag and Sign Bill Took Effect on Sept. 7

My June 10th column, which you can read at www.JimSmithColumns.com, concerned a “freedom of expression” bill passed by the legislature prohibiting HOAs from restricting the display of flags or signs by homeowners, whether political or other non-commercial signs. 

I warned that this could unleash a flood of partisan signs which could be detrimental to the harmony of neighborhoods. The bill was signed by Gov. Polis on July 7th, so it’s now law.  I haven’t seen a surge of  “Trump Won” or “Black Lives Matter” signs which might have previously been banned by HOAs, but the law only took effect last week, so only time will tell what the effect will be.

HOA rules now have to be “content-neutral.” Only the size and number of signs can be regulated. I’ve seen only one HOA (the Highlands Ranch Community Association) issue new rules consistent with the law. They limit each home to 2 signs up to 18”x24” except during a specified Election Period, when  5 signs up to 3’x4’ are allowed.

Author: Golden Real Estate, Inc.

Golden Real Estate is a prominent member of the Denver/Jefferson County real estate scene. Based in Golden, we service both Denver and Jeffco, representing both buyers and sellers. We're well known for Broker Jim Smith's weekly "Real Estate Today" column published in the Denver and Jeffco editions of the Denver Post's YourHub section each Thursday. The column also appears in several weekly newspapers and is archived at www.JimSmithColumns.com. We have nine agents, all of whom are Realtors and EcoBrokers. Our office is Net Zero Energy since December 2017, and several of us drive electrics cars. Known for our sustainable practices, we accept polystyrene (aka "Styrofoam") for recycling, keeping 200 cubic yards per year out of area landfills. View all posts by Golden Real Estate, Inc.