Lets talk about Denver's New rent laws

Denver, Colorado has recently implemented new rental laws that aim to provide better protection for tenants and regulate the housing market. These new laws are a significant step forward in addressing the city's growing housing crisis and promoting affordable housing for all.

One of the most notable changes is the "source of income" protection law, which prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants who rely on government assistance or other non-wage sources of income, such as social security or disability benefits. This law is particularly important for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and people with disabilities, who may have difficulty finding housing because of their limited income sources.

Another new law is the requirement for landlords to provide a written receipt for rent payments. This law aims to prevent landlords from unfairly evicting tenants for non-payment of rent when they have already paid. Additionally, landlords must provide a written notice before raising the rent, giving tenants enough time to plan and adjust their finances accordingly.

Denver's new rental laws also provide greater protection for tenants who are victims of domestic violence. Landlords are now required to allow tenants to terminate their lease early if they are victims of domestic violence and need to move to a safer location. This is an important step in ensuring that victims of domestic violence have the support they need to leave dangerous situations and start over.

The city has also introduced a new licensing system for rental properties, which requires landlords to obtain a license and maintain their properties to certain standards. This system ensures that rental properties are safe and habitable for tenants, and landlords who violate the licensing requirements can face penalties and fines.

Overall, Denver's new rental laws are a positive step towards creating a fair and affordable housing market for all. By providing greater protection for tenants and regulating landlords' behavior, the city is working to address the housing crisis and ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable housing. These laws can serve as a model for other cities and states looking to address similar housing challenges.

Ranch Near Kremmling with Private ski slope sold!

The buyers of a 6,343-acre ranch minutes away from Kremmling won’t have to worry about getting an Epic or Ikon pass for the ski season.

Elk Island Ranch, which sold for $30 million on Dec. 31, features its own private ski slopes, as well as a massive sledding hill. The listing dubbed the land  “a four-season recreational playground of the highest order.”

The buyer was Capstone Property Group LLC, records show.

Seller Charlie Gallagher purchased the ranch for $24.3 million in 1999, according to records.

Gallagher founded Denver-based Gallagher Industries private equity firm in 1986, according to its website. He developed the private ranch concept over the years for his family, according to 5280.

The founder hired Montana-based Kibo Group Architecture to design and Englewood-based Diamond Homes to build the 16,000-square-foot lodge on the property with five bedrooms and 12 bathrooms.

Elk Island Ranch also features a 10,500-square-foot party barn called the Nevada House Saloon with a built-in bar, catering kitchen, stage, dancefloor, upstairs bunkroom and a showroom for “historic ranch vehicles and collection of trophy game mounts,” according to the listing.

The Nevada House Saloon.

With nearly 10 square miles of land, the property houses an Outpost Chalet with two bedrooms for warming up after traversing the private slopes or for discussing the next big game during hunting season.

There’s also a 14,400-square-foot heated storage facility for all the gear and equipment, which was sold with the property, including a plow truck, snowcats, tractor, ATVs, and snowmobiles.

Elk Island Ranch, despite its private setting, is located less than 10 minutes from McElroy Airfield in Kremmling, which services large private jets. It was also once part of the 19,000-acre Grand River Ranch, which was donated to the University of Denver, and gives the owners access to Grand River’s equestrian center, fishing reservoir, dining venues and more.

Check out this Woodland Cottage

"We spend so much of our lives in boxes," says Alexis Borsboom, owner of this cottage nestled among the trees on Mayne Island, BC.

The unique shape is just one reason she and her husband moved in. The rest of the story lies inside its walls - and begins with the walls themselves.

That's because they're made from cob: a combination of clay, sand and straw that's mixed with water and then sculpted by hand. The couple fell in love after meeting in a cob-building workshop; later, they purchased the home and built a life constructing cob structures together.

With soft edges throughout and a wooden staircase, the interior of their home seems like something out of a dream - but subtle nods to 70s decor make it feel familiar.

Cob is a little like adobe. But unlike adobe, which is formed into bricks and hardened before building, cob structures are sculpted while the mixture is still wet.

Working with raw earth means there's not much need for loud equipment on a cob site. And because most of the necessary materials can be gathered from the surrounding area, constructing a cob has very little ecological impact.

This construction style also informs the natural, organic shapes you'll find throughout a cob home, like arched doorways and a space perfectly sized to fit the wood-burning stove.

The kitchen, which sits just off the living area, is a cozy space with enough room for the essentials - plus a breakfast nook for enjoying a morning cup.

Upstairs, a gently sloping ceiling gives the bedroom and workspace a uniquely homey vibe. And just above that ceiling sits a wide, undulating roof. It's crucial - it protects the home from wind and rain. With a strong foundation and the right roof, a cob-style home can last forever. But "if it's left out in the elements, it will turn back into dirt within a year," Borsboom says.

The door on the second story leads out to a small deck that’s perfect for catching the magical sunsets off Canada's western coast.

Alexis describes cob-style homes as a "gentle and beautiful way to live." We couldn't agree more.

How to Improve Your Credit

Credit scores play a big role in determining whether you’ll qualify for a loan and what your loan terms will be. So, keep your credit score high by doing the following:

Check for errors in your credit report.

Thanks to an act of Congress, you can download one free credit report each year at annualcreditreport.com. If you find any errors, correct them immediately.

Pay down credit card bills.

If possible, pay off the entire balance every month. Transferring credit card debt from one card to another could lower your score.

Don’t charge your credit cards to the max.

Pay down as much as you can every month.

Wait 12 months after credit difficulties to apply for a mortgage.

You’re penalized less severely for problems after a year.

Don’t order items for your new home on credit.

Wait until after your home loan is approved to charge appliances and furniture, as that will add to your debt.

Don’t open new credit card accounts.

If you’re applying for a mortgage, having too much available credit can lower your score.

Shop for mortgage rates all at once.

Having too many credit applications can lower your score. However, multiple inquiries about your credit score from the same type of lender are counted as one if submitted over a short period of time.

Avoid finance companies.

Even if you pay off their loan on time, the interest is high and it may be considered a sign of poor credit management.