About The Association

Mission, Goals and Achievements

The Colorado Mortgage Lenders Association was founded in 1956 as the state trade association for the mortgage industry. The membership is comprised of companies, corporations and agencies whose business interests revolve around the mortgage lending industry and its activities.

Mission:

The Colorado Mortgage Lenders Association is an organization committed to responsible homeownership achieved through the practice of integrity-based lending.  We serve our community through effective education, principled representation, and gracious networking to advance free enterprise and the highest ethical standards in the mortgage lending industry.

Organization:

CMLA is governed by elected officers and a board of directors. Any principal, officer or employee of a full member firm in good standing may be nominated for election to the board of directors. All full member companies retain one official vote which may be cast toward the election of such officers and board members and other issues brought to the membership by the board. Twelve members are elected to serve on the board, each for a three-year term. Each year, four new board members are elected to replace four out-going members. In addition, four members are elected to serve as officers of the association. An officer serves a four-year term and moves up from the position of second vice chairman to secretary/treasurer, then vice chairman, and finally chairman of the board. Officers must be nominated from existing board members with subsequent board openings filled by members.

Domains:

In addition to participating in general planning and decision making, members of the Executive Committee preside over three domains, representing the three areas where CMLA focuses on delivering value to its members: representation, education and networking. The chairman of the Board is responsible for advancing the mission by leading the Board of Directors to achieve quantifiable results in the areas of representation, education, and networking. Domain chairs are each responsible for leading Board members to realize the goals of their respective domain. The vice chairman presides over the networking domain; the secretary/treasurer presides over the representation domain, and the second vice chairman presides over the education domain.

Each domain has stated goals which are the declared outcomes that support the Mission.

Representation Goals:

1. To be committed to free enterprise and proactive in promoting the interests of our membership to the legislature, agencies, general public, media, and affiliated association.

2. To be effective in analyzing the details and communicating the impact of relevant issues, regulations, and events to our members and affiliated parties.

Education Goals:

1. To have educational programs that foster excellence among participants in the mortgage lending industry.

2. To be an advocate helping consumers make informed decisions to facilitate a positive borrowing experience.

Networking Goals:

1. To have gatherings that graciously encourage fellowship, healthy competition, sharing ideas and the creation of opportunity.

2. To be generous as a professional community helping people in need.

Chapters:

In 1996, CMLA incorporated the Southern Colorado Mortgage Lenders Association and Northern Colorado Mortgage Lenders Association into a statewide chapter system. Chapters are directed by a Leadership Body that has two elected positions on the CMLA Board of Directors. Companies within the chapter region elect representatives to the Leadership Body, who then appoint committee chairs and work directly with the Board of Directors and staff to provide many functions and benefits to members of their region.

Staff:

The association also maintains a full-time staff to manage the day-to-day operations of the association. Headed by a executive director, CMLA staff is responsible for maintaining a quality image for the association, emphasizing its services, providing programs of value and benefit to its members, and maximizing membership potential. The CMLA staff also assists the association's domain representatives in developing training and educational programs and maintaining liaison relationships with other association entities.