Yes the title is correct, squatters have more rights than a home owner, at least in Colorado they do. I never thought that was true until I had squatters of my own. Mine were a bit different than your run of the mill squatters but they were squatters none the less.
Imagine you leave your house for the winter, upon your return you find people living there. You did not invite them, they broke in and took up residency in your home. They have a legal right to be there and you have to evict them.
The run of the mill squatter is the person who enters a vacant home and takes up residency. Doesn't matter how they get into the home, once they move their stuff in and stay there they have possession of the home and the owner can't even charge them with trespassing.
The owner has to actually evict the squatters, yes the owner who pays for the home, the utilities etc, has to evict people who break in and live there. The squatters are given 3 days to get out.
It does not always end there though, if the squatters decide they do not want to leave the owner has to take legal action. Yep the owner has to pay to get them out of their home.
I was shocked to learn of this, appalled and disgusted that the criminal has more rights than the property owner. But then that is how it is with our society today...pitiful.
Now on to my squatters...mine is a different type of scenario but they were unwelcome people in my home so squatters nonetheless.
I moved to Arizona and not being quite ready to sell my home in Colorado allowed my youngest child to live there. A family of squatters took advantage and gave him this hard luck story, then without my consent moved into my home. When I said it was time for them to get out I was told that I had to evict them. I was livid but had them served with notice. I gave them 7 days to get out. Thankfully they were out in 7 days but they left the house a mess. I cannot believe anyone can actually live in the filth they lived in. But then they were squatters...
Please if you have your own squatters look this up and seek legal advice. I am not a lawyer, I am only going on my own experience.