Bulletin: CO2019002

Dear Associates:

The following are summaries of some Bills passed during the 2019 Colorado legislative session, which are of interest to the title insurance industry. All Bills became effective as of August 2, 2019, unless otherwise noted.

House Bill 19-1082 - Water Rights Easements: This Bill clarifies the statutory right-of-way in favor of ditch owners and confirms that, unless it is inconsistent with the terms of the right-of-way, an owner may enter upon the burdened property to construct, operate, clean, maintain, repair and replace the ditch.

House Bill 19-1098 - Deeds to Convey Real Property: This Bill adopted certain statutory language that may be used to limit the warranties of title contained within a deed without attaching title exceptions as an exhibit to the deed. This Bill also authorized licensed title insurance entities to prepare statutory deed forms in connection with an insured transaction. The Bill became effective as of March 7, 2019. A more detailed explanation of the Bill is available in Stewart Bulletin CO2019001.

House Bill 19-1150 - Consumer Insurance Council: This Bill reenacts the Consumer Insurance Council as an advisory body to assist the Insurance Commissioner on matters of interest to the public.

House Bill 19-1172 - Title 12 Recodification and Reorganization: This Bill acts to move and reorganize various statutes regarding the regulation of professions carried out by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (“DORA”). There were no substantive changes to the statutes. This Bill will be effective as of October 1, 2019.

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