DENVER - A measure that would hand more clout to mobile-home owners in their dealings with landlords was approved by a Senate panel Monday.

House Bill 1058 passed unanimously out of the Business, Labor and Technology Committee and goes to the full Senate.

Under the bill, sponsored by Sen. Andy McElhany, Rorado Springs, mobile-home owners could sue their landlords for damages. If homeowners win, landlords could be responsible for the homeowners' legal fees.

Supporters called the bill middle ground.

"It's a good compromise, but it was not an easy compromise," said Meghan Pfanstiel, executive director of the Colorado Manufactured Home Association.

Previous proposals to strengthen mobile-home owners' rights have been struck down.

The bill would require the park owner to give 180 days' notice to tenants of any landuse change. It also would allow homeowners to form homeowners associations.

Homeowners said the bill does not do enough to stop the abuses of park owners, but it is a step in the right direction.

James Eckenrode, a resident of Wikiup Mobile Home Park in Henderson, said his landlord ripped out his fences without notice. The landlord has also shut off the water at times without warning, Eckenrode said.

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