Syndicators looking to raise capital from investors in Colorado should be aware of the Colorado’s Blue Sky Laws. These laws regulate the securities industry within the state and understanding the basics of Colorado’s blue sky laws will help you make smart business decisions about how you put together an offer and protect yourself from potential legal trouble.

 

What are Blue Sky Laws in General? 

The purpose of securities laws is to protect investors. There are two levels of regulatory agencies that provide that protection: the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and each state’s security regulation agency.

Federal law has severely restricted the states’ abilities to review or restrict sales of most securities when offered through a Federal regulation (such as syndication of a Reg D offering). The states do, however, often require a notice be filed with them along with the appropriate fee, conduct investigations, and bring fraud actions if necessary in order to protect those domiciled in their states.

When everything takes place within the state, then Colorado’s Blue Sky Rules apply. 

 

What if I Need to Notify Colorado about my Regulation D Syndication?

Here are the basic facts you need to know about giving notice to Colorado about your Reg D Rule 506b or 506c offer:

Filing fee – Fixed

New notice – $50

Late fee for late filings – None

 

What are Colorado’s Blue Sky Laws?

CO ST § 11-51-301 Requirement for registration of securities

CO ST § 11-51-307 Exempt securities

CO ST § 11-51-309 Discretionary exemptions

CO ST § 11-51-310 Denial or revocation of exemptions

CO ST § 11-51-311 Coordination of exemptions

CO ST § 11-51-503 Unlawful representation concerning a license, registration, or exemption

CO ST § 11-51-605 Burden of proof

CO ST § 11-51-606 Conduct of proceedings–cease-and-desist orders–consent orders–summary orders–issued by securities commissioner–rules

CO ST § 11-51-705 Interpretive opinions

 

What are Colorado’s securities laws exemptions?

Governmental entities; certain foreign governments including Canada; Financial institutions: depository institutions, credit unions, industrial loan associations etc.; Cooperative associations including electric; Open-end management companies or unit investment trusts; Other entities: railroads, common carriers, public utilities and holding companies; Listed stock exchange securities etc.; Non-profit persons; Current transaction commercial paper; Employee benefit plan

 

What are Colorado’s procedures for securities law exemptions? 

Applicable to: open-end management companies or unit investment trusts; Procedure includes: notice of intent to sell and fee

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an attorney from Colorado then to put together an offering?

That depends. If the offering you are putting together is under Regulation D and not one of the Colorado specific Blue Sky Laws (as discussed above), then probably not. 

For example, if you needed a real estate syndication attorney to put together a private placement memorandum for a multifamily deal in Denver, Colorado, that was going to be offered in different states, and you didn’t need counsel on questions related to Colorado laws, then chances are a licensed syndication lawyer would be able to help. They could even put together the entity for you and write the operating agreement, they just couldn’t provide you counsel on the specific laws of Colorado and how they may or may not pertain to your offer.

However, if you were putting together a private placement memorandum for a development project in Colorado Springs, Colorado, all of the investors were from Colorado, and you wanted to use one of Colorado’s Blue Sky Laws above as an exception to registration, then you would need to work with someone licensed in Colorado.

 

Is it ok if the real estate syndication attorney, licensed outside of Colorado, looks over my purchase contract?

They can look, but they can’t give you advice as it pertains to Colorado. For example, Tilden Moschetti, Esq, syndication attorney for the Moschetti Syndication Law Group, will look, if asked, about the contract underlying your purchase contract in Aurora, Colorado, but makes it clear that he can give business consulting advice (discussion on price and broad deal points like the length of time until closing), but cannot speak to any specific term as he is not licensed there.