Melissa Garcia

SHAREHOLDER – Transaction & Business Development

Phone: 303.991.2018
Melissa Garcia is a shareholder at Altitude Community Law P.C. and the head of both the Transactional and Business Development departments. With almost 25 years of experience, Melissa loves the community association law arena because it allows her to work with a variety of people to develop real solutions to challenging association problems. Her practice emphasizes transactional law, including amending governing documents, issuing opinion letters, and assisting with general counsel representation of HOAs. Melissa actively posts on social media to help promote successful associations. A frequent teacher, Melissa speaks both nationally and locally on all issues facing associations. She presents an annual series of HOA workshops exclusively for several cities in Colorado, regularly teaches for the Community Association Institute (“CAI”), and is an established presenter for HOALeader.com. In 2012 Melissa received the Educator of the Year Award and in 2018 Melissa received the Committee Chair of the Year Award, both for the CAI Southern Colorado Chapter. Melissa also received the CAI–RMC 2021 Excellence in Education Award and the CAI-SOCO 2021 Chair of the Year Award. Most recently Melissa received the CAI-SOCO Servant Leader of the Year Award and the CAI-RMC Influencer of the Year Award in 2023. Melissa’s teaching and prior retail experiences have honed her people skills so she understands different approaches and communication styles, which makes her an effective part of each association's team.

Education:
B.A., University of Reno Nevada- 1996
Juris Doctorate, California Western School of Law- 1999

Professional Organizations:
Community Associations Institute- Since 2002
Community Associations Institute, Rocky Mountain Chapter, HOA Council Chair – 2017 to Feb, 2019
Council of Community Association Professionals-2018 to 2020
Community Associations Institute, Rocky Mountain Chapter, Northern Colorado Committee Chair – Feb, 2019 to Feb, 2021.
Community Associations Institute, Southern Colorado Chapter, Technology Committee Chair – March, 2017 to June, 2022
Community Associations Institute, Southern Colorado Chapter, Special Events Committee Member – March, 2023 to Feb, 2024
Community Associations Institute, Southern Colorado Chapter, Marketing Committee Chair – July, 2024 to Present

Publications 

When Third Parties Ask for Condo/HOA Owners’ Records

E-Vehicle Charging Stations in Common Condo Garages: Is There a Risk of Fire?

How to Trigger a Condo/HOA Discrimination Lawsuit in One Easy Step

Would There Ever Be a Reason for an HOA to Get This Involved in Its Owners’ Personal Lives?

Can Land Be Donated to a Condo/HOA? Would You Even Want It?

Condo/HOA Experts’ 5 Best Tips for Small Communities

California’s New Condo Inspection Law: Early Lessons That Reach Beyond the State

How to Ensure Your Condo/HOA Retains the Holiday Spirit

Who’s the Grinch Here, the Owner, the HOA, or Nobody?

Virtual Meetings: The Pros, The Cons, and the Legal Requirements In Between

Common Interests Magazine, Volume 40, Issue 5 – Tech and Modernization

Community Connections Magazine, Q1 2023 – Everything You Need to Know About EV Charging Systems in Community Associations

Trend Watch: Are Condos/HOAs Under Attack?

The Most-Violated Rules Driving Condo/HOA Boards Around the Bend

Can You Guess the Rules Condo/HOA Owners Ignore Most Often?

What Condos and HOAs Are Doing to Combat Inflation

Does Your Condo/HOA Need an Anti-Harassment Policy?

Colorado Governor Signs More-Restrictive Condo/HOA Law

Reader Reports that Insurer Asked for HOA’s Anti-Harassment Policy

What Could Go Wrong? Allowing Nonowners to Store Cars in Your Condo Garage

HOA Leader Video: Should Condo/HOA Board Tell Homeowners They’re Underinsured 

HOA Leader Video: Board Wants to Be the Decider on Owners’ Insurance Coverage

Common Interests Magazine, Vol 41. No. 6 – Loneliness and the Impact of Negative Interactions in Our Industry

HOA Insights Podcast | 040 | When State Laws Make Leading An HOA Challenging

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

2024
CAI-SoCo Luncheon – Ins & Outs of Successful Board Member Transitions – June 11

Altitude Webinar – What Requires a Homeowner Vote? – September 11

Recent Publications by Melissa M. Garcia

Did You Know You Can Restrict Based on Age if You’re a HOPA Community?

    Families with children are protected under the Fair Housing Amendments Act (“FHAA”), correct? Yes. The FHAA makes it unlawful for an association to discriminate based on familial status.   So that means an association cannot restrict children from living in the community, correct? Wrong. An association can prohibit children from living in theGo to Resource

Life Lessons for 2018

“Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.” John Lennon Truth. And as we’re starting 2018, I’m here to tell you one thing… go get a life! And by that I don’t mean the manic pursuit for a bigger paycheck, larger house, or faster car. What I mean is reflect onGoGo to Resource

4 Signs You Are Your Association’s Own Worst Enemy

Time and time again, I encounter very good intentions of a board, which end up with very bad results. And it often turns out that the board is the cause of its own association’s downfall. There is no reason for this. Here are four signs that you are your association’s own worst enemy. 1. YouGo to Resource

Rehabilitating the HOA Image One Person, One Deed and One Community at a Time

So last month I was at the doctor’s office, and as I was making small talk with the nurse she asked “So what do you do?” I responded “I’m an HOA attorney.” She actually grimaced. It was a clear knee-jerk reaction. And then she laughed, said sorry, and made some comment about her friend’s trashGo to Resource
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