Colorado · Real Estate Study Guide · Part 15 · Chapters 192–212

CP-18 Settlement Service Provider Selection +20Colorado · Real Estate · English

45 topics · Updated 2026-09-17

192.CP-18 Settlement Service Provider Selection

📌

Advising Consumers on Expert Advice

disclosures

Brokers must advise clients to obtain expert advice on material matters beyond the broker's expertise (mortgage brokering, title, appraisal, surveys, inspections, law). Brokers must not perform services requiring competency or licensure they lack.

Key Rules
  • Advise clients to seek expert advice on matters beyond broker expertise
  • Brokers must not perform services outside their competency or licensure
📌

Referring Settlement Service Providers

disclosures

When helping select settlement service providers, the consumer must play an active role and make the final selection. Providing several names is common; a broker cannot require a specific provider. Only refer competent providers to avoid negligent referral claims.

Key Rules
  • Consumer must actively participate and make the final provider selection
  • Broker cannot require a consumer to use a particular provider
  • Only refer providers believed competent to avoid negligent referral
  • Best practice: state selection is at consumer's discretion

193.VII. Special Types of Subdivisions - Condominiums

📌

Condominiums and Air Rights as Subdivisions

licensing

Estates above the surface (air rights) can be created and conveyed separately, and their division is a subdivision under county planning laws.

Key Rules
  • Air rights may be conveyed separate from surface title; division of air rights is a subdivision under county planning laws
  • A declaration must be recorded with and approved by county authorities and provide for recording a map locating condominium units
  • Conversion of a building into a condominium complex or dividing a unit into timeshares/interval estates may be a subdivision under 12-10-501(3)
  • Such subdivisions are subject to registration requirements of 12-10-501 et seq.

194.§ 12-10-612, C.R.S. Denial of license or certificate

📌

Grounds for Denial and Hearing Rights

licensing

The Board may determine whether an applicant possesses necessary qualifications, considering fitness, prior licensure, and criminal convictions. 'Applicant' includes any AMC owner and designated controlling appraiser. If an applicant lacks qualifications or has violated part 6, the Board may deny the license and must provide a written statement. The applicant may request a hearing under section 24-4-104(9).

Key Rules
  • The Board may consider fitness, prior licensure, and criminal convictions
  • The Board must provide a written statement of the basis for denial
  • The applicant may request a hearing under section 24-4-104(9)

195.§ 12-10-720, C.R.S. Violations - Injunctions

📌

Penalties for Unlicensed Activity

licensing

Acting as an MLO without a license, or after revocation/during suspension, is a class 2 misdemeanor; non-natural-person violators face a fine of up to $5,000. Each loan negotiated by an unlicensed person is a separate violation. A violation does not affect mortgage validity or enforceability.

Key Rules
  • Unlicensed MLO activity is a class 2 misdemeanor
  • Non-natural-person violators fined up to $5,000
  • Each loan negotiated by an unlicensed person is a separate violation
  • A violation of Part 7 does not affect the validity/enforceability of any mortgage
  • Board may request an injunction through the AG or district attorney

196.§ 12-10-406 & 12-10-407 – Dual Agent & Transaction-Broker

📌

Dual Agency Prohibited

agency

A broker shall NOT establish dual agency with any seller, landlord, buyer, or tenant. Dual agency is prohibited in Colorado.

Key Rules
  • A broker shall not establish dual agency
  • Dual agency is prohibited in Colorado
📌

Transaction-Broker Duties

agency

A transaction-broker is not an agent for either party and must perform agreements, exercise reasonable skill and care, present all offers/counteroffers timely, advise parties and suggest expert advice, account for money/property, keep parties informed, assist in complying with the contract and closing, and disclose adverse material facts.

Key Rules
  • A transaction-broker is not an agent or advocate for either party
  • Must present all offers/counteroffers timely and keep parties fully informed
  • Must disclose adverse material facts to buyers/sellers and account for money
📌

Transaction-Broker Confidential Information

agency

Without informed consent of all parties, a transaction-broker must not disclose that a buyer will pay more, that a seller will accept less, motivating factors of any party, willingness to accept other financing terms, psychologically impacting facts, or material information unless required by law or to avoid fraud.

Key Rules
  • Cannot disclose buyer's willingness to pay more or seller's willingness to accept less without consent
  • Cannot disclose any party's motivating factors without consent of all parties
📌

No Imputation and No Subagents (Transaction-Broker)

agency

There is no imputation of knowledge between a party and the transaction-broker or among persons within an entity engaged as a transaction-broker. A transaction-broker may cooperate with other brokers but may not engage or create subagents, and may serve different parties in other transactions.

Key Rules
  • No imputation of knowledge between parties and the transaction-broker
  • Transaction-broker may cooperate with other brokers but may not create subagents

197.§ 12-10-613, C.R.S. Prohibited activities – grounds for disciplinary actions

📌

Grounds for Appraiser Discipline

licensing

An appraiser violates part 6 by: felony conviction related to appraisal ability; violating part 6 or Board rules; accepting fees to influence appraisal outcome; misleading advertising; fraud in obtaining a license; fraudulent appraisals; failing to meet USPAP standards; exceeding competency; adverse action in another state; failing to disclose AMC-paid fees in residential reports; or conduct grounds for denial under 12-10-612.

Key Rules
  • Accepting fees to influence an appraisal outcome is prohibited
  • Performing appraisals beyond one's competency is a violation
  • Failing to disclose AMC-paid fees in residential appraisal reports is prohibited
  • A felony conviction related to appraisal ability is grounds for discipline
📌

Disciplinary Actions and Letters of Admonition

licensing

The Board may deny, refuse to renew, revoke, suspend, admonish, place on probation, or publicly censure. For minor misconduct not warranting formal action but with merit, the Board may send a letter of admonition. The appraiser may request formal proceedings within 20 days of receiving the letter.

Key Rules
  • Disciplinary actions include revocation, suspension, admonition, probation, and public censure
  • A letter of admonition is used for minor misconduct with merit
  • The appraiser may request formal proceedings within 20 days of a letter of admonition
📌

Revocation Consequences and Fines

licensing

Upon revocation, the person must surrender the license immediately and is ineligible to reapply until more than two years have elapsed; reapplication is treated as new. The Board may impose a fine of up to $1,000 per violation. Persons participating in good faith in complaints are immune from liability. A licensee with direct knowledge of a violation must report it.

Key Rules
  • Revoked persons cannot reapply until more than two years have elapsed
  • The Board may impose a fine up to $1,000 per violation
  • A licensee with direct knowledge of a violation must report it to the Board

198.CP-19 Closing Instructions for Title Company Held Deposits

📌

Closing Instructions and the Closing Company

escrow

Closing instructions engage the company responsible for closing. If the broker performs closing services (preparing/recording documents, disbursing funds), the broker is the Closing Company and must ensure Commission-Approved Closing Instructions are completed when the contract is executed.

Key Rules
  • Broker performing closing services is the 'Closing Company'
  • Broker must ensure Closing Instructions are completed at contract execution
  • Title companies require written instructions before closing (DOI Reg 8-1-2)
📌

Record-Keeping for Closing Instructions

escrow

Brokers must retain a copy of closing instructions for Commission inspection whether the broker or a third party (title company, attorney, escrow) conducts the closing, per 12-10-217(1)(k) and Rules 5.21, 6.20, and 6.24.

Key Rules
  • Retain closing instructions for Commission inspection regardless of who closes
  • Recommend clients seek legal counsel on title-company-drafted instructions

199.§ 38-33.3-303.5, C.R.S. Construction defect actions

📌

Construction Defect Action Disclosure and Meeting

disclosures

Before instituting a construction defect action, the board must mail written notice to owners and the construction professional, call a meeting held 10-15 days after mailing, and provide extensive disclosures about costs, risks, and consequences.

Key Rules
  • Board must mail notice to owners and the construction professional and call a meeting held 10-15 days after mailing
  • The entire notice, meeting, and voting process may not exceed 90 days
  • Notice must include disclosures about increased costs, expiring claims, disclosure duties, fee arrangements, and financing difficulties
📌

Owner Approval and Vote Exclusions

disclosures

The board may initiate a construction defect action only if owners of at least 65% of votes approve within the voting period. Certain votes are excluded, including development party units and nonresponsive owners.

Key Rules
  • Construction defect action requires approval by owners of at least 65% of votes, with exceptions for nonresidential/small claims and association-contracted work
  • Votes of development parties (contractors/builders and affiliates) are excluded from the count
  • A successful board must first use net damages or proceeds to repair the construction defect

200.§ 12-10-721, C.R.S. Prohibited Conduct - Influencing an Appraisal

📌

Prohibition on Influencing Appraisers

disclosures

An MLO cannot directly/indirectly compensate, coerce, or intimidate an appraiser to influence the appraiser's independent judgment on the value of a dwelling. Requesting an appraiser to consider additional information, provide substantiation, or correct errors is permitted.

Key Rules
  • Cannot compensate, coerce, or intimidate an appraiser to influence independent judgment
  • May request the appraiser consider additional appropriate property information
  • May request further detail/substantiation or correction of errors

201.X. Cooperative Housing Corporations (§ 38-33.5)

📌

Formation and Purpose of Cooperative Housing Corporations

licensing

Section 38-33.5-101 sets the formation method and required single-purpose of cooperative housing corporations.

Key Rules
  • May be formed by three or more adult Colorado residents under article 55, 56, or 58 of title 7 or the Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporation Act
  • Purpose must be to provide each stockholder/member the right to occupy a house or apartment in a corporation-owned or -leased building
📌

Articles of Incorporation Requirements

taxes

Section 38-33.5-102 requires specific provisions in cooperative housing corporation articles.

Key Rules
  • Corporation shall have only one class of stock outstanding
  • Each stockholder is entitled solely by stock ownership to occupy a dwelling in the corporation's building
  • Each stockholder's interest is inseparable from and appurtenant to the occupancy right and deemed an estate in real property, not personal property
  • No stockholder may receive distributions not out of earnings/profits except on complete or partial liquidation
📌

Tax, Financing, and Securities Provisions

taxes

Sections 38-33.5-103 through -106 address income requirements, tax credits, financing, proprietary lease provisions, and securities exemption.

Key Rules
  • Bylaws must require at least 80% of gross income derive from tenant-stockholder payments
  • Each tenant-stockholder is credited with proportionate real estate taxes, interest, and depreciation deductions
  • Stock/membership certificates are valid securities for savings and loan investment when 11-41-119(13) conditions are met
  • Proprietary lease must require lender consent for subleases over one year and treat loan security as a real property security interest
  • Cooperative housing stock/membership certificates are exempt from securities laws in article 51 of title 11

202.§ 12-10-408 – Broker Disclosures

📌

Written Office Policy Required

disclosures

Any broker must adopt a written office policy identifying and describing the relationships offered to the public. A broker is not required to offer all brokerage relationships. If a party asks about a relationship not offered, the broker must provide a Commission-promulgated written definition.

Key Rules
  • Brokers must adopt a written office policy describing relationships offered
  • Brokers must provide a Commission definition of a relationship they do not offer
📌

Transaction-Broker Disclosure

disclosures

Before engaging in brokerage activities, a transaction-broker must disclose in writing that the broker is not acting as agent and is acting as a transaction-broker. The disclosure contains a signature block for acknowledgment; if the party declines to sign, the broker notes that fact and retains the copy.

Key Rules
  • Transaction-broker must disclose non-agent status in writing before acting
  • Disclosure requires an acknowledgment signature block; broker notes refusal to sign
📌

Single Agency Written Agreement

disclosures

Before engaging in activities, a broker intending single agency must enter a written agency agreement disclosing duties under 12-10-404 or 12-10-405. Notice of the single agency relationship must be furnished to any prospective party in a timely manner.

Key Rules
  • Single agency requires a written agency agreement before acting
  • Notice of the single agency relationship must be given to prospective parties timely
📌

Disclosure of Established Relationship

disclosures

A broker who has already established a relationship with one party must advise any other potential parties or their agents of the established relationship at the earliest reasonable opportunity. Written agreements must state the relationship exists only with the designated broker, not the firm.

Key Rules
  • Broker must advise other parties of an existing relationship at earliest reasonable opportunity
  • Written agreements must state the relationship is only with the designated broker

203.§ 12-10-614, C.R.S. AMC prohibited activities – grounds for disciplinary actions

📌

AMC Investigation and Fines

licensing

The Board must investigate written complaints against AMCs and controlling appraisers. Upon finding a violation, the Board may impose an administrative fine up to $2,500 per separate offense, censure, place on probation, or temporarily suspend or permanently revoke a license.

Key Rules
  • The Board must investigate written complaints against AMCs
  • AMC fines may be up to $2,500 for each separate offense
  • Sanctions include censure, probation, suspension, and revocation
📌

Prohibited AMC Practices

licensing

AMCs are prohibited from: failing to exercise due diligence in engaging appraisers; requiring improper indemnification; influencing appraisals through coercion, bribery, or inducement; prohibiting appraiser communication with parties; altering completed reports without consent; requiring access to the appraiser's electronic signature; and failing to conduct annual audits of a random sample of appraisals.

Key Rules
  • AMCs cannot influence appraisals through coercion, bribery, or inducement
  • AMCs cannot alter completed reports without the authoring appraiser's written consent
  • AMCs cannot require access to an appraiser's electronic signature
  • AMCs must conduct annual audits of a random sample of appraisals
📌

AMC Payment and Recordkeeping Duties

licensing

AMCs must pay appraisers within 60 days after completion unless otherwise agreed or a bona fide dispute is noticed in writing. AMCs must disclose the client's identity to the appraiser at engagement, not reuse reports for other clients without consent, disclose fees paid to appraisers, and maintain records for at least five years (or two years after final disposition of related litigation).

Key Rules
  • AMCs must pay appraisers within 60 days after completion unless disputed in writing
  • AMCs must disclose the client's identity to the appraiser at engagement
  • AMCs must maintain records for at least five years or two years after related litigation
📌

AMC Fraud, Consumer Protection, and Reporting

licensing

AMCs violate part 6 by conviction of appraisal-related crimes, adverse action in another state, violating the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, procuring a license by fraud, false promises, or failing to disclose the fee paid to the appraiser. A controlling appraiser's entity may be suspended even without the controlling appraiser's knowledge. Licensees with direct knowledge of violations must report them.

Key Rules
  • Violating the Colorado Consumer Protection Act is a ground for AMC discipline
  • The Board may suspend an entity even if the controlling appraiser lacked knowledge
  • Licensees with direct knowledge of AMC violations must report to the Board

204.CP-20 Licensed and Unlicensed Real Estate Administrative Professionals (REAPs)

📌

Broker Liability and Supervision of REAPs

licensing

REAPs perform clerical/administrative functions for brokers. Under 12-10-222, a broker may be liable for a REAP's unlawful acts if the broker had actual knowledge or was negligent in supervision. Employing brokers supervise all unlicensed employees (Rule 6.3.A). Inactive/expired licensees are treated as unlicensed.

Key Rules
  • Broker liable for REAP violations with actual knowledge or negligent supervision (12-10-222)
  • Employing brokers supervise all unlicensed employees (Rule 6.3.A)
  • A REAP with inactive/expired license is treated as unlicensed
📌

Permitted Unlicensed REAP Activities

licensing

Unlicensed REAPs (or licensed REAPs without a brokerage relationship) may complete broker-directed forms, distribute preprinted info, perform clerical duties, provide property access/showings if authorized, deliver paperwork, collect/receipt earnest money and deposits, and prepare market analyses (with disclosure and broker approval). They cannot negotiate or offer opinions/advice on forms.

Key Rules
  • Unlicensed REAPs cannot negotiate or offer opinions/advice on forms
  • May perform clerical tasks, provide access/showings if authorized, receipt for deposits
  • Market analyses must be broker-approved and disclosed as REAP-prepared
📌

Licensed REAPs Performing Licensed Duties

licensing

A licensed REAP performing licensed duties (negotiating inspection items, preparing contracts) must establish a brokerage relationship with the principal, typically co-listing with the same relationship type. The REAP must have an active license and comply with their level of licensure requirements.

Key Rules
  • Licensed REAP performing licensed duties must establish a brokerage relationship
  • Co-listing must have the same brokerage relationship as the original broker
  • REAP must have an active license appropriate to their level of licensure

205.§ 12-10-722 & 723, C.R.S. Rule-Making and Employee Acts

📌

MLO Liability for Employee Acts

agency

The board may promulgate necessary rules. An unlawful act by an agent/employee of a licensed MLO is not cause for disciplinary action against the MLO unless the MLO knew or should have known of the act or was negligent in supervision.

Key Rules
  • Board may promulgate rules necessary to carry out its duties
  • MLO not liable for employee's unlawful act unless the MLO knew or should have known
  • MLO liable if negligent in supervision of the agent or employee

206.§ 38-33.3-304, C.R.S. Transfer of special declarant rights

📌

Transfer of Special Declarant Rights

licensing

A special declarant right may be transferred only by a recorded instrument executed by the transferee. Transferors remain liable for pre-transfer obligations and warranty obligations; affiliates are jointly and severally liable.

Key Rules
  • Special declarant rights may be transferred only by a recorded instrument executed by the transferee
  • A transferor is not relieved of pre-transfer obligations and remains liable for warranty obligations
  • An affiliate successor is jointly and severally liable with the transferor for community-related liabilities
💰

Foreclosure and Successor Declarant Liability

financing

Upon foreclosure of all declarant interests, the declarant ceases to have special declarant rights and declarant control terminates unless transferred by a recorded instrument. Successor liability depends on affiliate status and rights exercised.

Key Rules
  • Upon foreclosure of all declarant interests, the declarant loses special declarant rights and control terminates unless transferred
  • A successor who is an affiliate is subject to all declarant obligations and liabilities
  • A successor to only model/sales office/sign rights (non-affiliate) is not subject to declarant liability

207.§ 12-10-409 to 12-10-411 – Duration, Compensation & Violations

📌

Duration of Brokerage Relationship

agency

The relationship commences when the broker is engaged and continues until performance/completion of the agreement. If not completed, it ends at the earliest of: any agreed expiration date, termination/relinquishment by the parties, or one year after the date of engagement.

Key Rules
  • Relationship ends at the earliest of agreed expiration, termination, or one year after engagement
  • Absent an agreed date, the relationship ends one year after engagement
📌

Post-Termination Obligations

agency

After termination, a broker generally owes no further duty except to account for all money and property received during the engagement and to keep confidential information confidential unless consent is given, disclosure is required by law, or the information becomes public.

Key Rules
  • Broker must account for all money/property after termination
  • Broker must keep confidential information confidential post-termination unless an exception applies
📝

Compensation Rules

contracts

A broker's compensation may be paid by seller, buyer, landlord, tenant, third party, or by commission splitting. Payment of compensation does NOT establish an agency relationship. A buyer's/tenant's agent must obtain written approval before proposing to be compensated from the seller's side.

Key Rules
  • Payment of compensation does not by itself establish an agency relationship
  • Compensation may come from any party or by commission splitting
  • Buyer's agent must get written approval before proposing seller-side compensation
📌

Compensation Disclosure and Multiple Payments

disclosures

Prior to entering a brokerage/listing agreement or a contract to buy/sell/lease, the identity of those paying compensation must be disclosed to the parties. A broker may be compensated by more than one party only if those parties consent in writing before entering the contract.

Key Rules
  • Identity of parties paying compensation must be disclosed before the agreement/contract
  • Multiple-party compensation requires written consent before the contract
📌

Part 4 Violations

agency

Violation of any Part 4 provision (brokerage relationships) by a broker constitutes an act under section 12-10-217(1)(m), for which the Commission may investigate and take administrative action under 12-10-217 and 12-10-219.

Key Rules
  • Part 4 violations are actionable under 12-10-217(1)(m)
  • Commission may investigate and discipline Part 4 violations

208.§ 38-33.3-305, C.R.S. Termination of contracts and leases of declarant

📝

Termination of Declarant Contracts

contracts

Certain declarant-entered contracts (management, employment, recreational/parking leases, declarant/affiliate contracts, or unconscionable contracts) may be terminated without penalty by the association after the owner-elected board takes office, upon 90 days' notice.

Key Rules
  • Qualifying declarant contracts may be terminated without penalty after the owner-elected board takes office upon 90 days' notice
  • Terminable contracts include management, employment, recreational/parking leases, and unconscionable or non-bona-fide contracts
  • This does not apply to leases whose termination would terminate the community, unless included to avoid this right

209.§ 12-10-724, C.R.S. Dual Status as Real Estate Broker

📌

Dual Status Broker/MLO Requirements

agency

An MLO who also acts as a real estate broker/salesperson in the same transaction must make full and fair disclosure of all material loan features/facts and maintain separate business activities and records. Businesses at a shared location must be clearly identified, physically separated, and not deceive the public.

Key Rules
  • Must make full and fair disclosure of all material loan features before providing services
  • Must maintain MLO business activities/records separate from real estate activities
  • Shared-location businesses must be clearly signed and physically separated
  • Board may waive physical separation for undue hardship if public protection is unaffected

210.§ 12-10-615, C.R.S. Judicial review of final board actions

📌

Judicial Review in Court of Appeals

licensing

Final actions and orders of the Board under sections 12-10-612, 12-10-613, and 12-10-614 appropriate for judicial review are subject to review in the court of appeals in accordance with section 24-4-106(11).

Key Rules
  • Final Board actions are reviewable in the court of appeals
  • Review is conducted under section 24-4-106(11)

211.§ 12-10-616, C.R.S. Unlawful acts – penalties

📌

Unlawful Acts and Contingent Fees

licensing

It is unlawful to perform an appraisal without a license, to violate specified prohibitions, to accept a contingent fee for an independent appraisal (based on predetermined conclusions or outcomes), to misrepresent a consulting service as an independent appraisal, or to fail to disclose a contingent fee in a consulting service.

Key Rules
  • Performing appraisals without a license is unlawful
  • Accepting a contingent fee for an independent appraisal is unlawful
  • Misrepresenting a consulting service as an independent appraisal is unlawful
📌

Criminal Penalties for Unlawful Acts

licensing

A person violating subsection (1) commits a class 2 misdemeanor. A subsequent violation within five years of a conviction commits a class 5 felony.

Key Rules
  • A first violation is a class 2 misdemeanor
  • A subsequent violation within five years is a class 5 felony

212.§ 38-33.3-306, C.R.S. Bylaws

📌

Required Bylaws Provisions

propmgmt

Bylaws must comply with applicable corporate acts and provide the number of board members, officer titles, election of officers, qualifications and terms, delegation of powers, amendment authority, and a method for amending bylaws.

Key Rules
  • Bylaws must state the number of board members, officer titles, and manner of electing and removing officers
  • Bylaws must specify which officers may execute and record declaration amendments and a method for amending bylaws
  • Associations with 30+ units delegating financial powers must require fidelity insurance/bond of at least $50,000 and separate accounts

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All chapters

← Back to the Colorado study guide 1. Definitions +72. Reason for Enactment & Scope of License Law +113. § 38-33.3-315, C.R.S. Assessments for Common Expenses +74. § 38-33.3-207, C.R.S. Allocation of allocated interests +145. § 12-10-101 & 12-10-201 – Definitions +146. Separate Accounts and Accounting +97. § 7-128-206, C.R.S. Committees of the board +98. VI. Appraisal Management Companies +129. § 7-128-401 to 403, C.R.S. Standards of Conduct and Liability +1810. CP-9 Working With a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) +1611. Declaratory Orders +1412. Rules Chapter 4: Professional Standards +1213. § 38-33.3-218, C.R.S. Termination of common interest community +1714. Board Review of Initial Decisions and Exceptions +1716. § 12-10-725, C.R.S. Written Disclosure of Fees and Costs +22

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