Getting Started

Registering Your Account

To create a member account, click the Member Login button in the top navigation bar and then choose Register on the login page. You will be asked to provide:

  • Your first and last name
  • Your email address (used as your login username)
  • Your property address within Colony Trace HOA
  • A phone number for the board to reach you
  • A password of your choice (minimum 8 characters)

After you submit the registration form, your account is created with a status of Pending. The HOA board administrator reviews all new registrations manually to confirm that the applicant is a current resident or homeowner. You will receive an email notification at the address you registered with once your account has been approved and activated.

Note: Registration approval is a manual process and is typically completed within one to two business days. If you registered more than a few days ago and have not heard back, please contact the board directly using the information at the bottom of this page.

Logging In

Click the Member Login button in the navigation bar at the top of any page. Enter your registered email address and password, then click Sign In. After a successful login you will be redirected to the Documents section of the portal. From there you can navigate to any section using the top navigation links.

Your login session persists for the duration of your browser session. To end your session manually, click Sign Out in the navigation bar.

Forgot Your Password?

If you have forgotten your password, click the Forgot your password? link on the login page. Enter the email address associated with your account and click Send Reset Link. You will receive an email containing a secure password reset link within a few minutes.

  • The reset link is valid for 1 hour after it is sent. If the link has expired, simply request a new one.
  • Check your spam or junk folder if the email does not appear in your inbox.
  • The link can only be used once. After you reset your password, any previous reset links are invalidated.

Account Pending Approval

While your account is in a Pending state, you can log in but you will see a notice explaining that your account is awaiting approval. During this time, you will not have access to member-only content such as locked documents, the member directory, or the ability to submit requests.

If your registration has been pending for more than a few business days without a response, please reach out to the HOA board directly. The board contact information is listed in the footer of every page and on the Contact page.

Home Page

Announcements

Important community announcements from the board are displayed in a highlighted banner near the top of the home page. Announcements may include upcoming meetings, payment reminders, maintenance notices, and other time-sensitive information.

  • Click the × (close) button on an announcement to dismiss it for your current browser session. It will reappear if you start a new session.
  • Announcements are set to automatically expire based on the start and end dates configured by the board. Expired announcements are removed from the page automatically and do not need to be dismissed.
  • Multiple active announcements may appear stacked. Each can be dismissed individually.

Upcoming Events

A sidebar panel on the home page shows a preview of the next few community events. Each entry shows the event name, date, and time. Click any event to be taken to the full Community Calendar, where you can view complete details for that event and browse all upcoming events for the month.

If no events are scheduled in the near future, the panel will indicate that there are no upcoming events.

Quick Links

The Quick Links cards at the bottom of the home page provide one-click access to the most commonly used sections of the portal:

  • Calendar — Browse community events by month
  • Documents — Access governing documents, meeting minutes, and other files
  • Contact — Send a message to the Community Association Manager
  • Register — Create a new member account (shown to guests only)

Calendar

Navigating Months

The Community Calendar displays events in a familiar monthly grid view. Use the navigation controls at the top of the calendar to move between months:

  • ← Prev — Go back to the previous month
  • Next → — Advance to the next month
  • Today — Jump directly back to the current month; today’s date is highlighted with a distinct background so it is easy to find

Below the grid you will find a chronological list of events for the displayed month, which is useful on smaller screens where the grid may not show full event names.

Event Type Color Guide

Each event is color-coded by type so you can quickly identify what kind of activity is scheduled at a glance:

Board Meeting Community Event Maintenance Social Other
  • Board Meeting (dark teal) — Official meetings of the Board of Directors, open to all homeowners unless otherwise noted
  • Community Event (gold) — HOA-organized events for all residents such as holiday gatherings, neighborhood cleanups, and community socials
  • Maintenance (orange) — Scheduled maintenance activities affecting common areas, utilities, or amenities
  • Social (green) — Informal social gatherings organized by or in coordination with the HOA
  • Other (gray) — Miscellaneous events that do not fit another category

Viewing Event Details

Click on any event — either directly on the calendar grid or in the event list below the calendar — to open a detail popup. The event detail popup shows:

  • The full event title and type
  • Date and time (start and end, if applicable)
  • Location (address or room name)
  • A full description of the event
  • Any downloadable attachments, such as agendas or flyers, added by the board

Click anywhere outside the popup, or the close button, to dismiss it and return to the calendar.

Documents

Browsing Documents

The Documents page organizes all community files into categories. A category sidebar on the left side of the page lists all available categories. Click a category name to filter the document list to show only files within that category. Documents are displayed as cards showing the file name, a brief description, the upload date, and file type.

Click All Documents at the top of the sidebar to clear the category filter and view all available documents at once.

Access Levels

Each document is assigned an access level that determines who may view or download it. The following access levels are used throughout the portal:

  • Public — Accessible to anyone, including visitors who are not logged in
  • Members Only — Requires a logged-in member account. Guests will see a lock icon (🔒) on these cards with a prompt to log in
  • Homeowners Only — Accessible only to accounts designated as homeowners; renters or other member types may not view these documents
  • Board Only — Restricted to board members and administrators; not visible to general members
Note: If you believe you should have access to a document that is showing a locked status, contact the board to verify your account type is set correctly.

Viewing Files

How a document opens depends on its file format:

  • PDF files — Open in an inline document viewer directly in your browser without downloading
  • Images (JPG, PNG, GIF) — Display in a full-screen inline viewer
  • Word and Excel files (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx) — Download directly to your device; use Microsoft Office or a compatible application to open them
  • HTML documents — Click View to open a formatted, styled reading page within the portal. No download is required and the content renders directly in your browser

A Download button is available on the viewer for PDFs and images if you want to save a local copy.

Searching Documents

A search bar at the top of the Documents page allows you to filter documents as you type. The search matches against document titles and descriptions. You can combine the search bar with the category filter to narrow results further — for example, searching for “2024” while the “Meeting Minutes” category is selected will show only meeting minutes from 2024.

Resources

What’s Here

The Resources page is a curated directory of external links that the board has assembled for the benefit of Colony Trace HOA residents. These links include:

  • Utilities — Electricity, water, waste management, and other service providers serving the community
  • County Services — Local government offices, permitting, code enforcement, and public records
  • Community Organizations — Neighborhood associations, civic groups, and local nonprofits
  • Useful Websites — Weather services, hurricane preparedness resources, local news outlets, and other sites relevant to Southwest Florida residents

Resources are grouped by category, and each entry includes a title, a short description of what the link provides, and a Visit button that opens the resource in a new browser tab so you do not lose your place on the portal.

Members-Only Resources

Some resources are designated as Members Only. These links are only visible and accessible when you are logged in with an active member account. If you are browsing as a guest, members-only resources will either not appear in the list or will display a lock indicator prompting you to log in.

Members-only resources typically include links with community-specific information such as vendor discount programs, internal portals for community services, or shared resources restricted to residents.

Contact the Board

Choosing a Topic

The Contact page presents four topic tiles to help route your message to the right area. Select the tile that best matches the nature of your inquiry:

  • Account & Membership — Questions about your account status, member type, or contact information on file
  • Billing & Assessments — Questions about HOA dues, payment history, late fees, or your account balance
  • Documents & Records — Requests for specific documents, records access, or questions about community governance materials
  • Complaint / Concern — Report a policy violation, neighbor dispute, noise complaint, or other community concern

Click the tile that applies to open the message form. You can change your selection at any time before submitting.

Writing Your Message

Type your message in the text area provided. Be as specific as possible, including relevant dates, addresses, or other details that will help the board respond efficiently. Messages may be up to 5,000 characters in length. A character counter below the text area shows how many characters you have used.

Your name, email address, and property address are displayed below the message field as sender information. These are read-only and are pulled from your member profile. The board will use this information to identify you and respond. If any of this information is incorrect, you can update it in My Profile.

File Attachments

You may attach supporting files to your message. To add attachments:

  • Drag and drop files directly onto the attachment zone, or
  • Click the attachment zone to browse for files on your device

Attachment limits:

  • Up to 3 files per submission
  • Maximum 20 MB per file
  • Accepted formats: PDF, Word (.doc / .docx), Excel (.xls / .xlsx), and common image formats (JPG, PNG, GIF)

Once a file is added you will see it listed in the attachment preview area with its name and size. Click the × button next to any file to remove it before sending.

After Submitting

After you click Send Message, you will see an on-screen confirmation. Your contact request is saved to the portal and immediately visible in My Requests → Contact Requests. The board will review your message and respond as soon as possible, typically within one to two business days.

If you have enabled email notifications in your profile, you will receive an email when the board posts a reply to your request. You can also return to My Requests at any time to check for responses and continue the conversation.

Tip: For urgent matters, call or email the CAM directly using the contact information shown on the Contact page and in the site footer. The portal messaging system is appropriate for non-urgent inquiries that can be answered within standard business hours.

ARB Requests

What Is the ARB?

The Architectural Review Board (ARB) is a committee of the Colony Trace HOA HOA responsible for reviewing requests by homeowners to make changes to the exterior of their properties. The ARB ensures that all modifications are consistent with the community’s governing documents, aesthetic standards, and applicable local codes.

Most exterior alterations require ARB approval before work begins. Common project types that require an ARB request include:

  • Swimming pools and spas
  • Screen enclosures and lanai additions
  • Exterior paint color changes
  • Driveway paving or resurfacing
  • Landscaping and sod replacement
  • Roof replacement or material change
  • Window or door replacement
  • Irrigation system installation or modification

If you are unsure whether your project requires ARB approval, contact the board before starting any work. It is always safer to ask first.

Submitting a Request

To submit a new ARB request, navigate to My Requests in the top navigation bar, select the ARB Requests tab, and click Submit New Request. You will be asked to fill in the following information:

  • Work Type — Choose from the list of project categories (see below)
  • Description — Describe the proposed work in detail, including materials, colors, dimensions, and any other relevant specifications
  • Estimated Duration — How long you expect the work to take from start to completion
  • Who Will Perform the Work — Indicate whether the work will be done by the owner or by a licensed contractor

You can also upload supporting documents at the time of submission, such as architectural plans, color samples, photos of existing conditions, or a written contractor proposal.

Work Types

When submitting a request, select the work type that most closely describes your project:

  • Pool / Spa
  • Screen Enclosure
  • Paint
  • Driveway
  • Landscape / Sod
  • Roof
  • Windows / Doors
  • Irrigation
  • Other (describe fully in the description field)

Contractor Information

If a licensed contractor will be performing the work, you must provide their information as part of the ARB request. Required contractor details include:

  • Contractor’s full name
  • Company name
  • State license number
  • Proof of insurance or insurance information

Providing accurate contractor information helps the board confirm that work will be performed by a properly licensed and insured professional, which is a requirement for most exterior modifications in the community.

Request Status Meanings

Your ARB request will move through one or more of the following statuses as the board reviews it:

  • Pending — Your request has been submitted and is waiting for the board to begin its review. No action is needed from you at this stage.
  • Revision Needed — The board requires additional information or changes to your submission before a decision can be made. Open the request to read the board’s notes and respond.
  • Approved — Your request has been approved. You may proceed with the described work. Keep a copy of the approval for your records.
  • Rejected — Your request was not approved. Open the request and read the board’s notes for the specific reason. You may contact the board with questions or resubmit a revised request.

Responding to a Revision Request

When your request receives a Revision Needed status, the board has left notes explaining what additional information or changes are required. To respond:

  • Navigate to My Requests → ARB Requests and click the request row to open it
  • Read the board’s notes in the activity timeline
  • Type your response in the comment box and click Submit Reply
  • Upload any revised documents (updated plans, new color samples, etc.) using the document upload section on the same page

The board will be notified of your response and will continue its review.

Uploading Additional Documents

You may upload supporting documents to an existing ARB request at any time, even after the initial submission:

  • Open the request from My Requests → ARB Requests
  • Scroll down to the Supporting Documents section
  • Click Upload and select the file(s) you want to add

Accepted file types include PDF, Word, Excel, and common image formats. All uploaded documents are visible to both you and the board.

Important: Do not begin any exterior work before your ARB request shows an Approved status. Starting work without prior ARB approval is a violation of the community’s governing documents and may result in a formal violation notice, fines, or a requirement to undo completed work at your own expense.

My Requests

Your Requests Hub

The My Requests page is your central hub for tracking all of your active and past interactions with the board. You can reach it any time by clicking My Requests in the top navigation bar. All content on this page is personal to your account — no other member can see your requests.

The page is organized into three tabs:

ARB Requests Tab

This tab lists all of the Architectural Review Board requests you have ever submitted. Each row in the table shows:

  • The request reference number
  • Work type and a short description
  • Submission date
  • Current status (color-coded badge — see the ARB section above for status meanings)

Click any row to open the full request detail page. The detail page includes the complete activity timeline showing every status change, board comment, and document upload since submission. You can add comments and upload documents directly from the detail page.

Contact Requests Tab

This tab shows your complete message history with the board. Each entry represents one conversation thread, showing the topic, the date you first submitted it, and the current status:

  • Open — Your message has been received and is awaiting a response from the board
  • In Progress — The board has seen your message and is actively working on a response or resolution
  • Resolved — The board has marked the conversation as complete; no further action is needed

Click any thread to open it and read the full conversation. You can type a follow-up reply in the reply box at the bottom and optionally attach files. Your reply will notify the board and keep the thread open until marked resolved.

Newsletters Tab

This tab lists all community newsletters that have been sent to your account. Each entry shows the newsletter title and the date it was sent. Click any newsletter to open and read the full formatted content directly in the portal.

If you prefer to receive newsletters by email as well as on the portal, enable Newsletter Emails in My Profile under Email Notifications. Turning this off does not remove newsletters from this tab — you can always read them here regardless of your email preferences.

My Profile

Click your name in the navigation bar (or navigate to My Profile) to access your account settings. The profile page is divided into several sections:

Directory Listing

The community member directory allows residents to find and connect with neighbors. On your profile, you control exactly how you appear in that directory:

  • Show / Hide Listing — Toggle your entry in the member directory on or off. When hidden, other members cannot find you in the directory.
  • Phone Visibility — Choose whether to display your phone number to other logged-in members in the directory.
  • Email Visibility — Choose whether to display your email address to other logged-in members in the directory.
  • Household Members — Add the names of family members who share your unit (spouse, children, roommates). They appear as sub-entries under your listing so neighbors know who lives at your address.

Email Notifications

You have individual control over two categories of email that the portal may send you:

  • Activity Notifications — Receive an email whenever your ARB request status changes, the board posts a comment on your ARB request, or the board replies to one of your contact requests. Turning this off means you will need to check My Requests manually to see new activity.
  • Newsletter Emails — Receive community newsletters delivered to your inbox as well as the portal. Turning this off stops newsletter emails but all newsletters remain available to read in My Requests → Newsletters.

Changes to notification preferences take effect immediately and apply only to your account.

Change Password

To update your password, scroll to the Change Password section of your profile page. You will need to provide:

  • Your current (existing) password to confirm your identity
  • Your desired new password
  • Your new password a second time for confirmation

Passwords must be at least 8 characters long. For best security, use a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. After saving, you will remain logged in and your new password will be required on your next login.

Account Information

The account information section of your profile displays key details about your account in a read-only format:

  • Name — Your registered first and last name
  • Email Address — Your login email and the address used for all portal correspondence
  • Property Address — The property address associated with your account
  • Member Type — Your account classification (e.g., Homeowner, Renter, Board Member)
  • Account Status — Whether your account is Active, Pending, or Suspended

These fields cannot be changed directly from the profile page. If any of this information is incorrect — for example if you have moved within the community or your name has changed — contact the board using the Contact page and they will update your account accordingly.