With the cost of real estate soaring, breaking into Colorado’s housing market can feel like a dream come true. But if disaster strikes, owning a home can quickly turn into a financial nightmare. In Boulder County, many residents are learning this the hard way. After the most destructive blaze in the state’s history, hundreds of […]
insurance
Posted inEnvironment, News, Politics and Government, Wildfire
Majority of homeowners trying to rebuild after the Marshall fire may be massively underinsured, analysis finds
As many as two-thirds of those who lost homes in the Marshall fire lack enough insurance to fully cover their rebuilding costs, according to a new analysis by the Colorado Division of Insurance. The division has been looking at claims from 61 different insurance companies related to the Marshall fire, which destroyed more than 1,000 […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Zornio: Marshall fire victims battling insurance companies need to know about DORA
More than six weeks after the most costly blaze in Colorado’s history, many victims of the Marshall fire are facing the next uphill battle: Insurance recovery. It’s been well established that many residents are underinsured or not insured at all. This comes with its own challenges, largely met by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Zornio: Colorado should follow California on gun liability insurance
If the mere suggestion that Coloradans could take a page from California on gun laws makes you bristle, you’re not going to like this column. Last week, San Jose City Council members offered a vote of 10 to 1 for gun liability insurance requirements. As Silicon Valley’s third most populous city, the move sent a […]
Posted inClimate, Coloradans, Environment, Housing, News, Politics and Government, Wildfire
Coloradans struggle to navigate insurance after losing a home to wildfire. State lawmakers want to make it easier.
Three days before the East Troublesome fire obliterated more than 300 homes, Amanda and Craig Shindledecker left their house in Granby and drove to their other residence in Lakewood to escape the smoke. They made a plan when the fire started: If flames crossed Colorado 125, Craig would drive back to Granby to gather valuables […]
Posted inWildfire
Survivors share what they’ve learned from their painful experience with Colorado wildfires
Sun staff writers Jason Blevins, Tamara Chuang, Shannon Najmabadi, Olivia Prentzel and Kevin Simpson contributed to this story. Colorado has endured some major catastrophic wildfires over the past decade. But if there’s any silver lining to all that devastation, it’s that the survivors have learned some valuable lessons about how to proceed in their aftermath. […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Sen. Buckner, Reps. Esgar and Ricks: Our legislation aims to bring accountability and transparency to the insurance industry
This was a historic year at the Colorado legislature. We invested in our state’s small businesses and local economies, we worked to save people money on health care and prescription drugs, we revamped our tax code to benefit working families instead of the most profitable corporations, and we invested in mental health care throughout the […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: We’re a teacher, a firefighter and a nurse. Here’s how a Colorado insurance measure would hurt good drivers like us.
There is little question that the sponsors of Senate Bill 169 have good intentions, seeking to protect consumers from unfair discrimination in insurance ratings. But SB 169 is unnecessary, overly broad, and would create far-reaching consequences. In fact, we believe the measure would likely result in arbitrary increases in insurance rates on good drivers and […]
Posted inClimate, Environment, News, Politics and Government
Could a new insurance-premium fee prevent Colorado’s next big natural disaster? Some lawmakers say yes.
When the Camp fire ripped through Paradise, California, in 2018, killing dozens of people and destroying hundreds of structures, Lisa Cutter knew her Colorado community could be next. The Democratic state representative’s district includes Evergreen and Conifer, two towns at risk of experiencing a devastating wildfire. “People in the wildlife urban interface are scared,” Cutter […]
Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government
Colorado Democrats unveil their public health insurance option proposal. Here’s how it would work.
Democrats in the Colorado legislature on Thursday introduced a bill designed to drive down health care costs and, if consumers’ expenses aren’t reduced, potentially create a state-offered health insurance option. The measure is the result of years of efforts by progressive lawmakers and is a top priority for Gov. Jared Polis. But it faces stiff […]