The race to succeed Rep. Pete Lee in House District 18 in Colorado Springs next year got a little more crowded when former Manitou Springs Mayor Marc Snyder signed up for the race last week.

Lee is running in Senate District 11 to succeed Mike Merrifield, a former Manitou Springs city councilman who is retiring from the legislature rather than seek another term. Lee was elected to the House seat in 2010

Snyder is the fourth Democrat in a primary that includes Patrick Rizzo, Terry Martinez and Graham Anderson.

Jillian Likness, so far, faces Donald Howbert in the Republican primary.

Snyder, who, like Lee, is a lawyer, served as mayor Manitou Springs for six years until January of last year. He was an at-large city council member for six years before that.

He guided the resort town of about 5,300 residents through wildfires, floods, a recession, economic development, landslides and urban renewal during his tenure.

Under Snyder, an advocate for trails and open spaces, the city acquired Iron Mountain in 2011 for $1.1 million, as well as adding 33.5 acres in December in the foothills overlooking Garden of the Gods Park in 2015.

As he left office last year, Snyder speculated that he might run for El Paso County Commission, but chose not to.

He moved from Maryland to Colorado in October 1994.