By Oshadhi Herman, CondoVoter
Annual General Meetings (AGMs) are the cornerstone of HOA governance — where owners elect leaders, approve budgets, and make important decisions that shape the community’s future.
Yet for many Colorado communities, the real challenge isn’t what’s on the agenda. It’s getting enough owners to participate to meet quorum.
When quorum isn’t reached, the consequences are immediate: votes are delayed, projects stall, and board seats may remain vacant. This can leave the community at a standstill, making it harder to plan or take action on pressing needs.
One approach gaining momentum in Colorado is electronic voting (e-voting), which allows owners to vote remotely while still complying with the Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act (CCIOA).
Why E-Voting Works for Colorado HOAs
Under CCIOA, associations can hold votes electronically if they:
- Provide proper notice to all owners
- Ensure votes are secure, verifiable, and accurately recorded
- Maintain complete voting records
If your governing documents don’t yet allow e-voting, boards can work with legal counsel to adopt compliant rules or amend bylaws.
In short: with the right process in place, e-voting is legal, secure, and recognized in Colorado.
How E-Voting Works in Practice
For most owners, e-voting feels as straightforward as online banking:
- Secure voting links – Each owner receives a unique link or code via email.
- Clear instructions – Ballots can include candidate bios, meeting documents, or proposals for review before voting.
- Easy submission – Votes can be cast in just a few clicks, followed by instant confirmation.
- Guaranteed privacy – Votes remain confidential, with no identifying information attached to results.
For those without internet access, telephone voting is an option. Owners use a toll-free number and a secure code to vote from any phone, similar to telephone banking.
Addressing the Participation Problem
Many communities struggle with low turnout due to work schedules, travel, mobility issues, or a lack of interest in attending in-person meetings. E-voting removes many of these barriers.
- Owners can vote at their convenience, from anywhere.
- Reminders by email or text help ensure no one misses their opportunity.
- There’s no need to coordinate proxies or travel to a meeting location.
The impact can be significant. Some communities report reaching quorum days before their meeting, and participation rates can rise by 30–50% in the first year.
E-voting can also reduce operational costs by eliminating printing, postage, and manual ballot counting. While savings vary, a mid-sized HOA can save hundreds of dollars per vote cycle.
Getting Started with E-Voting in Colorado
- Review your governing documents – Confirm whether e-voting is already permitted or if amendments are needed.
- Engage legal counsel – Ensure compliance with CCIOA requirements for notice, verification, and record-keeping.
- Select a suitable platform – Look for one that offers security, technical support, clear owner communications, and accessible options like phone voting.
- Educate owners – Provide step-by-step instructions and, if needed, hold a short Q&A session before the first vote to build confidence.
Common Questions About E-Voting in Colorado
Is e-voting legal?
Yes — as long as notice timeframes, verification, and record-keeping requirements under CCIOA are met.
How secure is it?
Votes are encrypted, linked to unique credentials, and independently verifiable — all without revealing voter identities.
What about residents who aren’t tech-savvy?
Telephone voting allows ballots to be cast from any landline or mobile phone without internet access.
Beyond Quorum: Building a Culture of Participation
While e-voting can help meet quorum, its benefits extend further. Communities that adopt it often see greater engagement in surveys, committees, and other initiatives. By making participation more accessible, owners feel their input matters — which can foster trust and collaboration over time.
The Takeaway
E-voting is not a shortcut; it’s a practical tool that addresses longstanding challenges in HOA governance. For Colorado communities, it offers a legally compliant, secure, and convenient way to involve more owners in decision-making.
By reducing logistical barriers and improving access, communities can move from struggling to meet quorum to making timely, inclusive decisions that benefit everyone.
About the Author
Oshadhi Herman is the Growth and Engagement Lead at CondoVoter, helping communities across North America adopt electronic voting. With over eight years of experience in customer engagement, Oshadhi is passionate about breaking down barriers to participation.
