While I’ve already shared my platform and priorities with you, I also want to take a moment to share a bit more about myself. Not just what I stand for, but the path that brought me here. Because like so many of you, my journey to Okotoks wasn’t a straight path, but it’s the one that brought me home.
Humble Beginnings & Hard Work
I was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Early on, my family moved to Regina to be closer to relatives. This was a decision rooted in community, something that has always shaped my life. Times weren’t easy. Like many families across the Prairies, we faced financial hardship. When I was 12, we moved north to Yellowknife, chasing better opportunities and a more stable future. That move taught me early on the value of tough decisions and the importance of doing what’s right for your family. Lessons that have stayed with me ever since.
I began my electrical apprenticeship while still in high school, determined to carve out a path through grit and effort. I earned my journeyman certification and eventually moved to Calgary, where I met and married my first wife. I was doing well as an electrician and was leading my own job sites. But I also knew I wanted to grow further, especially with a child on the way.
Career Shifts & Life Lessons
Around the time that my eldest was born, I went back to school for Mechanical Design Drafting. That leap of faith paid off, and I transitioned from the field to the office, applying my trade knowledge to design and planning. Our family moved to Warman, Saskatchewan, where we welcomed our second child.
Not long after, life threw some curveballs. I went through a divorce and found myself back in Alberta, working a fly-in fly-out position at a mine site. It was during this chapter that I met the woman who would become my wife, my partner, and my greatest supporter.
Finding Home in Okotoks
Together, we chose Okotoks, not just for its beauty, but because it felt like the kind of place where people truly look out for one another. My wife, a mining engineer, fell in love with the small-town charm, and I was happy to put down roots in a place that values family, community, and balance.
As our family grew and our youngest came along, we made another big decision: it was time to prioritize her career. She pursued an MBA while working full-time and I stepped into the role of stay-at-home dad. My job became clear: keep the kids engaged, run a household, and give my wife the time and space she needed to succeed.
We worked as a team, and I learned that leadership doesn’t always come with a title. Sometimes, it’s making lunches, running to practice, managing chaos, and finding calm in the storm.
A New Chapter: Serving Okotoks
As our youngest started school, I began a small woodworking business out of our garage. It’s a humble operation, one that gave me creative joy and the flexibility to be there for my family.
Now, I’m ready to serve in a new way. I’m offering my commitment, energy, and leadership to the community that gave so much to us.
I’m running for Mayor because I believe in rolling up your sleeves, listening more than you speak, and finding real solutions that work for real people. I’ve been the tradesman, the designer, the stay-at-home parent, and the small business owner. I understand what it means to make ends meet, to start over, to adapt, and to lead with empathy.
Okotoks deserves a leader who knows what it’s like to work hard, care deeply, and show up when it matters. That’s who I am and I’d be honoured to serve you.
Colin Langenberger
Candidate for Mayor of the Town of Okotoks
Count on Colin!
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