Louisville, Colorado, has officially elected Hazel, a short-haired tabby cat, as its second-ever Pet Mayor. This local tradition, created to spark civic fun and community spirit, brought together dozens of animal candidates and nearly a thousand voters.
The shorthair tabby took the lead after two voting rounds, beating 46 other animal hopefuls. Her playful campaign, complete with nap mandates and platform toppling, helped her land 953 votes and a spot in local government lore.
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The Pet Mayor election is a Youth Advisory Board project. Launched in 2023, the idea came out of a tough time for the city after COVID and the Marshall Fire. The goal was to bring back smiles and show young people how voting works in a real, lighthearted way.
Hazel’s “mandatory daily nap time” pitch struck a chord. She was adopted from Longmont Humane Society, so locals already knew her. That hometown link helped earn votes when it came down to the ten finalists.
To qualify, pets needed a Louisville address and a calm attitude. The process ran through March and April 2025. Locals cast votes using “likes” on pet photos. Ten finalists went head-to-head in the last round. Hazel won that round and was sworn in on May 20.
Past candidates have included guinea pigs, reptiles, and a bonded pet duo named Zeus & Routt. The only rule is that they must live in Louisville. That open-door approach reflects the city’s focus on inclusion, fun, and low-stakes civic pride.
City of Louisville / IG / Hazel the cat was elected as the new Pet Mayor after beating 46 contestants. The term will run through 2027!
The new Pet Mayor will attend city events like Louisville’s Pet Parade on Labor Day and other local happenings. It is a two-year gig, and she will help represent the city’s pet-friendly culture at every stop, paws and all.
However, Hazel follows Arlo and Hops, who shared the first Pet Mayor title as co-leaders. They served from 2023 through 2025. Their joint term helped shape what the role looks like now, from ceremonial duties to public appearances that spotlight the city’s animal community.
Typically, dogs tend to outnumber other pets in these kinds of contests, but Hazel pulled off a surprise. Even with canines dominating the entries, her personality cut through. It was a small local race, but her win felt like a real upset to those following it closely.
The city wanted a way to reconnect people. After the twin hits of the pandemic and wildfires, Louisville needed a reason to laugh and come together. The Youth Advisory Board pitched the Pet Mayor idea, and it took off from there, turning voters of all ages into fans.
Votes came in as social media “likes” on the city’s official page. This gave the race a modern, simple touch and helped involve residents who might not otherwise take part in local government or community initiatives.
Hazel's backstory helped. Being adopted from the Longmont Humane Society gave her campaign a strong local feel. Voters liked that she came from the community she now represents, adding depth to her lighthearted campaign.
Louisville isn’t the only pet-loving city in Colorado. Boulder’s human mayor, Aaron Brockett, commented on Hazel’s win but said there were no plans for a similar election in his city. Even so, her story got people talking about pet-friendly policies and civic fun elsewhere.
The new Pet Mayor’s term will run through 2027, and she will make appearances and support events during this period.