Lakewood City Council has begun searching for a replacement for their empty Ward 5 chair — previously held by newly elected mayor, Wendi Strom. Candidates are asked to have thick skin and great listening skills.

“Are you looking for a job that requires lots and lots of listening and extensive collaboration with your colleagues?” the Lakewood City Manager’s Office asked in a press release on Tuesday. “Do you love solving thorny, complex issues that really upset people?”

Lakewood’s Ward 5 makes up the southern-most point of the city limits. It was previously held by Strom before she captured the mayor’s job in the November election.

Now, the city searches for a new council person to “determine a multimillion-dollar budget and to set important policy,” according to the release.

Those interested in becoming a candidate for the Ward 5 city council vacancy are asked to apply by 5 p.m. on Friday by submitting a petition of 25 signatures to Lakewood.org/Candidates or by calling 303-987-7080.

The applicant must be at least 21-years-old and a resident of Ward 5 for at least 12 months preceding the date of the election on Jan. 30, 2024.

The city notes that political affiliation doesn’t matter because the election is nonpartisan.

Though elections are usually held in November, Lakewood City Council approved the special election for January on Nov. 27, following Strom’s oath to take office on the same date.

Ballots with candidate information will be mailed to all Ward 5 residents on Jan. 8 prior to the election at the end of the month.

To find out if you live in Ward 5, check lakewood.org/MyNeighborhood.