Val Carr, the mayor of Woodland Park, died Tuesday after an ongoing battle with COVID-19, city officials announced in a release Wednesday.

Carr began his term as mayor last April after serving on the Woodland Park City Council for four years.

City officials described Carr as a very involved member of the community who wanted to serve all of Woodland Park.

“I really enjoyed his company and his dedication to this community and he absolutely loved this community with all his heart,” said Mayor Pro Team Hilary LaBarre in the news release. 

LaBarre will now serve as the city’s chief elected official and is responsible for running all of the city council meetings, among other duties.

However, the city council can choose to either appoint a new mayor or call for a special election, according to Woodland Park’s city charter. The council has not decided its next steps and will continue to elevate each option, city officials said.

On Wednesday, LaBarre signed a proclamation requiring all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff in Woodland Park through Feb. 22 in Carr’s memory. 

A Celebration of Life will be held later this year and Carr’s family is requesting that all donations be made to the Teller Senior Coalition or Teller County Regional Animal Shelter.