Mayor Harmon shapes Lone Tree’s future
By Kristen West
If you glanced at Lone Tree Mayor Marissa Harmon’s resume—or even her daily to-do list—you’d be impressed. You might also feel a little tired just reading it.
But Harmon herself? She’s anything but drained. Brimming with energy, she says her secret is knowing the difference between a life packed with obligations and one filled with people and opportunities that uplift. It’s a balance she’s found, and one she hopes to pass along to her children and the Lone Tree community.
At the heart of Harmon’s government origin story is entrepreneurship. She, her sister and her brother-in-law opened a luxury hair salon, Roots & Mane, eight years ago in Lone Tree, expecting a lengthy process to obtain their certificate of occupancy. Instead, Harmon called the city, and someone was there within the hour. “It was so impressive,” she says. “It was the moment that I knew I wanted to give back to the City of Lone Tree.”
That spark carried her onto the planning commission, city council and eventually into her current role as mayor. Being a business owner has given her a perspective she brings to every decision. “It makes all of my decision–making so much more impactful knowing how important it is, whether it’s public safety or the roads or access to great amenities; all those things make sure that businesses not only come to Lone Tree to survive, but also to thrive.”
That perspective, and her role as a mom, fuels her vision. “I’m hopeful that when my kids are grown, they’ll be really proud of the city we built. I want them to feel like they have the highest quality of life, with great shopping options, where they can walk or ride their bikes, know the roads are plowed, and it’s aesthetically pleasing. You have community members that lean in on each other, and a city that feels like it’s thriving,” she says. “And if you don’t live here, when you leave Lone Tree, I hope you feel like you want to come back. That’s the city I’m looking to build, and my kids can enjoy.”
She points to the city’s small businesses as one of its best-kept secrets—from boutique shops to restaurants—and highlights the Lone Tree Arts Center, a 500-seat theater that brings performances and programs to life. Expanding green space, supporting local business and fostering public safety remain top priorities.
Beyond leadership, Harmon balances family life with her husband, Chris Harmon, and their two daughters. Her girls beam with pride as they introduce their mom as mayor, and she says her husband has believed in her from the beginning. Their support, along with her network of families, has been vital to her success.
“Having my own village of supportive people has given me the desire to provide that for other busy families. I really like representing that demographic and getting them excited about where they live.”
True to her love of life, Harmon also regularly embraces the Colorado outdoors, enjoying everything from hiking and swimming to skiing, backpacking, or simply time with family and friends. For her, it all comes back to connection—the same value she brings to her role as mayor and the vision she holds for Lone Tree.
