ALAMOSA — Alamosa city councilors selected Councilor Liz Thomas Hensley as mayor pro tem during their meeting Wednesday night.

She will serve in the term for two years.

She and Councilman Jan Vigil expressed interest in the position, and both said they were fine with whatever choice their fellow councilors made. By paper ballot, the council chose Hensley.

“I really do appreciate the opportunity,” Hensley said. “I am really excited about this new year. I think we are going to be a great team. I love the energy. We are all in this together, and we are here for the city.”

Hensley said she has learned a great deal during the last two years she has served on council, loves to continue learning and plans to continue growing as a councilor. She also serves on the executive board for the Colorado Municipal League.

She added that her schedule allows her to attend many of the events outside of council meetings as well, and she will be happy to represent the city as mayor pro tem when Mayor Ty Coleman is unable to do so.

New Councilman David Broyles supported Councilor Hensley as mayor pro tem. “Every event I have been to, she’s been there,” he said.

Vigil, who is beginning his second term on council, said Hensley would do a great job, but he asked the council to consider him for mayor pro tem as well. He referred to his re-election on council with no opposition and 1,550 confidence votes as showing voters’ support of him.

“I would just like the opportunity,” he said.

Mayor Coleman said it means a lot to residents to see representatives from the city at events and shows them that the city council values them, and he appreciated that commitment from Councilor Hensley.