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CO Detectors-Are You Up To Date?

By
Real Estate Agent with Your Neighborhood Realty

This year, in the light of the tragic deaths of the Lofgren Family and a DU Student by Carbon Monoxide poisoning ( http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_11984173) Governer Ritter has signed into law HB 09-091, otherwise known as the "Lofgren and Johnson Families Carbon Monoxide Safety Act".

Briefly, the bill requires all single and multi family homes that are offered for sale or transfer after July 1, 2009 to have a working Carbon Monoxide Detector within 15 feet of any room used for sleeping.  The Bill goes on to further define the Law.  Full text of the bill can be read here: http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2009a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/8CA7AA87F3BED22D8725753700718548?open&file=1091_enr.pdf

So, looks like our contracts will change to reflect this requirement.  There is language in the Bill that provides for this in our Colorado Real Estate Contracts. I can imagine all those Property Managers with full inventories are going to be busy! 

What are you doing out there to inform the public of this bill?  I have several residential listings, and all of those Sellers need to be notified of these requirements.  I work in an area of Turn of the Century homes, where many properties have dated furnaces, fireplaces, additions and add ons; these all need to be retrofitted with the CO Detectors; http://goldcountryco.com/residential.htm 

 I will be letting those folks know that they need to comply.  Oh, I expect some will pitch a fit about the Government intrusion into their private business.  I will sympathsize and nod my head.  Its disturbing that the Government feels they have to legislate common sense. But in matters of public safety, I don't fool around. 

The good news is, Colorado Association of Realtors has a partner program where REALTORS can purchase 6 packs of various detectors at a discount.  This is pretty cool, so go here to view the packages available if you are interested: http://coloradorealtors.com/applications/Member%20Benefits/CAR_COflyer.pdf

The short version of the Bill may be reviewed at the CARonline site here: http://coloradorealtors.com/car_news_viewarticle.asp?ArticleID=2141

So, stay safe out there.  Its a tricky world we live in!

 

 

Comments (3)

Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Carrie, we don't need no stinkin detectors here in my part of FL, no furnaces :-)  But glad to see the government is doing something about the issue.  People are so naive when it comes to things like that.  I have a friend who removed all her smoke detectors cause she'll "never have a fire in her house."  Still shaking my head over that one.  Good post!  Horsies OK?

Apr 19, 2009 06:47 AM
Carrie N. Miller
Your Neighborhood Realty - Woodland Park, CO
YOUR Nieghborhood Realtor!

HI Terry!

It's unfortunate that the Government feels it has to mandate these things.  Carbon Monoxide is an insidious killer, sneaking up and putting out your lights before you know what is going on! Very sad. Horsies are ok.  Gotta check fence today, one keeps escaping!  Thanks for asking!

 

Apr 20, 2009 01:00 AM
Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495
Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Ahhhhhhh, and escape artist eh?  Good luck!

Apr 20, 2009 08:35 AM