Estes Park EDC Investor Spotlight: Melissa Westover

Melissa Westover has served on the Estes Park Economic Development Corporation (Estes Park EDC) for two years representing Westover Construction. Originally from Vandalia, Illinois, she attended Greenville University majoring in Elementary Education. After being an educator in Illinois for four years, she moved to Colorado where she spent her time raising a family. Melissa returned to school, obtaining her master’s degree in Counseling Licensure. Melissa’s passion for mediation and conflict resolution led her to use her degree working for the Town of Estes Park in the Restorative Justice program for several years.

More recently, Melissa and her husband Mark, along with Rick and Susan Allnutt, have been working on their latest project through their company Wildfire Homes LLC. They are planning to develop 26 new townhomes and 14 single family lots, in addition to 88 condominiums reserved for workforce housing. For 30 years, Westover Construction has been known for their beautiful, custom built homes. Wildfire Development, LLC, also owned by the Westovers, is the builder of the development.  They are prioritizing that same quality feel in their new development. Their goal is to integrate workforce housing into the community, not set it apart. These condominiums are not income restricted but are meant for those who work in the Estes Park R-3 District.

Melissa’s passion for community drives her work. She hopes that by building new workforce housing, Estes Park can be a place for those who want to work and live here as well. She sees this as the driving factor contributing to economic development in Estes Park. Adam Shake, President and CEO of Estes Park EDC, stated, “I first met Melissa as a volunteer for Restorative Justice and she continues to impress me to this day. Melissa and the whole Westover family have been an integral part of this community for a long time and having her as an Estes Park EDC Board member is a perfect fit.”