Lisa Calderón lost her bid to become Denver mayor. But she will have a city hall office after all.

Calderón announced on her Facebook page Wednesday that she will be working as chief of staff for Candi CdeBaca, the Denver City Councilwoman elect representing Council District 9.

“I’m excited to work with Councilwoman-elect CdeBaca to push for a more transparent and accountable city government that will be responsive to the needs of struggling working families who are at risk of displacement,” she said.

Calderón, a criminal justice professor at Regis University, finished third in the May 7 general election behind Mayor Michael Hancock and challenger Jamie Giellis.

Hancock went on to win the June 4 runoff with Giellis.

CdeBaca defeated Councilman Albus Brooks, a Hancock ally in the runoff. She cited Calderón’s experience in the mayoral race as one of the reasons for hiring her as chief of staff. 

“I think it’s important to have people who are invested in change and nobody else has as much skin in the game than someone who ran for elective office, especially at the highest level,” CdeBaca said Thursday.

“Lisa put her life and career on the line to serve our city and that’s exactly the kind of person I want to be working with to transform my district,” she added.