Nov. 14, 2019
Trailhead opening marks beginning of long-awaited corridor project

The recent ribbon cutting on a new trailhead in Aurora marks significant progress on a trail project that will ultimately benefit the entire region.

In October, the city celebrated the opening of the Triple Creek Trailhead at 18000 E. Colfax Ave., which now serves three regional trails: the High Line Canal Trail, the Sand Creek Regional Greenway and the Triple Creek Greenway Trail. 

This city-owned regional trailhead near the Aurora Sports Park will give cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians easy access to these three trails right off of a prominent street corridor. And it now supports trail users with water, shade, seating, a restroom and parking.

Arapahoe County provided a grant of $500,000 for construction, and Bicycle Aurora donated funding for two bicycle racks.

The city is working to secure funding for construction of the Triple Creek Greenway Corridor’s first trail extension, a three-mile-long stretch that will extend from the new trailhead to Gun Club Road. The trail will be primarily a horse-friendly soft surface and compatible with the character of the natural environment. Construction will begin once full funding is secured.

The entire 14-mile corridor—a project with Arapahoe County and the Trust for Public Land—will someday unite the Sand Creek Regional Greenway with the Aurora Reservoir and Arapahoe County Regional Park, and tie together seven existing recreational facilities within a one-mile radius and connect neighborhoods lacking trail access. Beyond that, it will offer users 27 miles of uninterrupted travel between the reservoir and the South Platte River in Denver. For more information, contact the city’s Parks, Recreation & Open Space department at 303.739.7160.
Resident volunteer needed for city retirement plan board

The city's General Employees’ Retirement Plan (GERP) Board of Trustees will soon have an opening for a City Council-appointed volunteer trustee. Residents of Aurora for at least one year who are not a member or participant of GERP may apply online.

Read more
www.auroragov.org
Recycle batteries, mercury and cooking oil this month
It’s a good month in Aurora to recycle some of those more difficult items. For more ways to recycle in Aurora, visit AuroraGov.org/Recycle or call the Recycling Hotline at 303.739.7173.

America Recycles Day Nov. 15: Mercury-containing Devices and Select Batteries

On America Recycles Day Nov. 15, residents may drop off liquid mercury in jars or containers, thermostats, barometers and other mercury-containing devices and alkaline and cadmium zinc batteries for safe and proper recycling from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot near the Central Facilities Recycling Center site (temporarily closed due to fence repair), 13646 E. Ellsworth Ave. (on the south side of the city’s wastewater/stormwater facility lot). There is no cost for drop-off.

Items not accepted at this event include compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), fluorescent tube lighting, lithium-ion batteries, and other batteries not listed above such as car batteries. CFLs can be disposed of at Home Depot, Lowes, or Ace Hardware. Fluorescent tube lighting also can be disposed of at the city's Household Chemical Roundup in early September 2020.

Electronic devices such as computers, TVs and radios don’t contain mercury but do contain other potentially harmful materials. The city will not accept electronic devices for America Recycles Day, but there will be several opportunities in 2020 to recycle electronics at the city’s e-cycle events. Dates and times for these events will be posted in the coming weeks.

Post-Thanksgiving Recycling Event Nov. 30: Cooking Oil

Residents and nonresidents may drop off used cooking oil from turkey fryers for free proper disposal from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 30 at Aurora Fire Station No. 9, 17200 E. Mexico Ave. 

Properly disposing of used cooking oil diverts the oil from municipal water systems and landfills. Oil must be kept indoors and warm so that it can be easily poured. Attendees should also plan to take their used cooking oil containers home. Used cooking-oil containers may not be thrown away in the fire station dumpster.
IN THE NEWS
Aurora Now
City Council Town Meetings
• Ward I (Crystal Murillo) - Thursday, Nov. 21, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Moorhead Recreation Center, 2390 Havana St.
• Ward II (Nicole Johnston) - No November meeting scheduled.
• Ward III (Marsha Berzins) - No November meeting scheduled.
• Ward IV (Charlie Richardson) - No November meeting scheduled.
• Ward V (Bob Roth) - No November meeting scheduled.
• Ward VI (Françoise Bergan) - Wednesday, Nov. 20, 6 to 8 p.m.
City of Aurora Public Safety Training Center, 25950 E. Quincy Ave.

City Council Meeting
Monday, Nov. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Council Chamber
AuroraGov.org/Council • Streamed live at AuroraTV.org

Lunch & Learn Lecture: Presidential Thanksgivings
Wednesday, Nov. 20, noon to 12:45 p.m.
Award-winning local author Adrian Miller discusses the history of Thanksgiving with a focus on the food, traditions and celebrations of the White House.
Cost: $4 ($3 Residents) and free for Aurora Historical Society members. Bring your lunch.
Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway

The Second City's "Twist Your Dickens"
Nov. 29 to Dec. 22
Back by popular demand, this seasonal satire returns in a madcap send-up of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic. Tickets at 303.739.1970 or AuroraFox.org
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.

Holiday Tree Lighting
Tuesday, Dec. 3, 5 to 7 p.m.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season with the lighting of our holiday lights, a visit from Santa and more. Free
Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

Devour the Arts
Tuesday, Dec. 3, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Mix, mingle and get a taste of what's happening in the creative community on East Colfax. Includes visual art, pop up performances, appetizers and a cash bar. Free admission
The People's Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave.

Festival of Wreaths
Through Dec. 6
This year’s 20th Annual Festival of Wreaths display and fundraiser event features wreaths generously sponsored and decorated by local businesses, organizations and individuals. Wreaths will be on display at the Aurora History Museum, Aurora Municipal Center, Town Center at Aurora and Stanley Marketplace for people to enjoy while an online bidding will take place. Proceeds benefit the Aurora History Museum.

Season of Giving
Through Dec. 6
Help spread the holiday spirit with families in need through the Aurora Public Library’s seventh annual Season of Giving: Stocking Project. Donate stocking stuffers at any Aurora Public Library, then join us Saturday, Dec. 7, for a stocking stuffer party at Aurora Central Library.
Learn more at AuroraLibrary.org

MLK Art, Poetry and Essay Contest
Through Dec. 18
How do Dr. King's words affect you and how can you ensure they keep echoing into the future? Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by sharing what his dream and words mean to you, using a medium of your choice. “The Words Ring On” art, poetry and essay contest is open to students in grades in K to 12. Entries must be submitted by Dec. 18.
For submission guidelines, visit AuroraLibrary.org
Have a comment, question or need our assistance? Contact Access Aurora online , at 303.739.7000, or via iOS or Android app.

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