Councilmember Stites was elected as Mayor at the November 4, 2025, election. Mr. Stites resigned from his District III City Council seat on November 10, 2025. Wheat Ridge City Charter Section 4.5 states that “within thirty (30) days after a vacancy occurs on the council, the remaining councilmembers shall choose by majority vote of a duly qualified person from the property district to fill such vacancy”. After advertising for the vacancy, five qualified applications were received from interested candidates for the vacant seat, and interviews were conducted by City Council at the December 1 study session.