Dec. 2, 2021
New council members take office Dec. 6

Following the Nov. 2 municipal election, there will be four new faces on the Aurora City Council starting with the Dec. 6 council meeting. Voters re-elected Ward I Council Member Crystal Murillo, filled a vacant position in Ward II, and selected new council members for Ward III and two at-large positions.

The new council members will serve four-year terms. They will be sworn in at the beginning of the Dec. 6 regular council meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and will air live on AuroraTV.org and Comcast Channels 8/880 in Aurora. Taking the oath of office will be:
  • Ward I - Crystal Murillo
  • Ward II - Steve Sundberg
  • Ward III - Ruben Medina
  • At-large - Danielle Jurinsky
  • At-large - Dustin Zvonek

AuroraTV produced retrospective videos on four council members who have left or are leaving office this year - Nicole Johnston, Marsha Berzins, Dave Gruber and Allison Hiltz - and they can be viewed at AuroraTV.org.

Congratulations to the newly elected council members. Learn more about the Aurora City Council at AuroraGov.org/Council.
Aurora Cultural Arts District receives designation as state Creative District
The Aurora Cultural Arts District, a 16-block stretch of many culturally and arts-inspired businesses in northwest Aurora, has been certified as one of 30 Creative Districts by the state. It is now eligible for financial support, technical assistance, marketing support, access to grants, leadership training and more.
Give back to your community through Colorado Gives Day on Dec. 7
Tuesday, Dec. 7, is Colorado Gives Day, an opportunity to give back to your community and learn more about the many nonprofit organizations and charitable groups supporting Aurora and other cities across the state.

Colorado Gives Day features an incentive fund of over $1 million, and every nonprofit receiving a donation on Colorado Gives Day receives a portion of the fund, increasing impact and the value of every dollar donated. Colorado Gives Day has grown to be Colorado's largest one-day online giving event, raising more than $307 million since it began in 2010.

Learn more about the nonprofits supporting Aurora that are participating in Colorado Gives Day at ColoradoGivesDay.org. Several nonprofits that support city of Aurora programs or employees are taking part, including the Aurora Museum Foundation, Friends of the Aurora Public Library, Aurora Police Foundation, and Firefighters of Aurora Benevolent Fund.
IN THE NEWS
Aurora Now
Council Member Town Meetings
Council members are eager to hear from residents and committed to forums in which those conversations can occur. Please visit AuroraGov.org/Council to confirm meeting dates and find information on how to join, with some meetings taking place virtually while others are scheduled to return to in-person events. If you don't know your council ward, go to AuroraGov.org and click on "Property Info." Town meetings have concluded for 2021, and 2022 meetings will be announced soon.

City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m.
View the meeting online at AuroraTV.org or on cable channels 8 and 880. Visit AuroraGov.org/CouncilMeetings for the agenda. Learn more about public comment at council meetings at AuroraGov.org/Council.

Mayor Mike Live
Thursday, Dec. 2, 4 p.m.
Mayor Coffman will talk with Karmen Carter, executive director at Gateway Domestic Violence Services, about spotting domestic violence and the resources Gateway provides. Mayor Coffman also will chat with Karin Rivale with the city's Parks, Recreation and Open Space department regarding the city's upcoming holiday events. Live on Facebook and AuroraTV.org.

Illuminate Aurora
  • Thursday, Dec. 2, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Pheasant Run Park, 14971 E. Pheasant Run Parkway
  • Friday, Dec. 3, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Golden Eagle Park, 23611 E. Plymouth Drive
Pick up a free luminary set at one of Aurora's parks, as supplies last, to help decorate your home.

Colfax Winter Market
Saturday, Dec. 4, 1 to 4 p.m.
Enjoy artisan vendors, Santa, Snow Queen Elsa, holiday crafts for kids, live musical performances, and more. This event is organized by the Aurora Cultural Arts District.
9800 E. Colfax Ave.

Winter Saturdays
Saturday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 11, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Parents can drop off their kids, ages 6 to 10, while they head out for winter shopping or errands. Activities include winter-themed crafts and games. Cost is $17 per person.
Central Recreation Center, 18150 E. Vassar Place
Registration: AuroraGov.org/Recreation

Board & Barrel Winter Festival at the Fairgrounds
Saturday, Dec. 4, noon to 6 p.m.
Arapahoe County presents a unique wintertime event featuring a snowboard rail jam and Colorado’s finest barrel-aged libations. Catch some rays and enjoy premium adult beverages, s’mores, great vendors and vibes, and cool tricks and flips.
Arapahoe County Fairgrounds, 25690 E. Quincy Ave.

Holiday Tree Lighting
Tuesday, Dec. 7, 5 to 7 p.m.
Join us for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting, including the Mayor flipping the ceremonious switch to light the lights of the Great Lawn, followed by the Aurora Police and Aurora Fire Rescue escort of Santa to the city. The free event will also feature crafts, hot cocoa, treats, live reindeer, ice sculptures and pictures with Santa himself.  
Aurora Municipal Center Great Lawn, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

Santa's Big Red Sack
Dec. 9 to 24 (Dec. 2 already sold out)
Rattlebrain Productions presents a non-stop sketch comedy, music and technology performance bursting at the seams with irreverent wit and unforgettable characters.
The People's Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave.

Festival of Wreaths
Through Dec. 10
This year’s 22nd 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, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway, for people to enjoy while online bidding takes place. Please reserve an entrance time online or by calling 303.739.6660. Proceeds benefit the Aurora History Museum.

"It's a Wonderful Life" Radio Play and Tea
Saturday, Dec. 11, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
This performance is from the 1947 live Lux Radio Theatre broadcast. Tea ticket includes tea, scone and two small desserts from Miette et Chocolat. $20 for the Desserts Tea, and $10 for performance only. Organized with support from the Aurora Museum Foundation.
Aurora History Museum, 15051 E Alameda Parkway

Drosselmeyer’s Toy Shoppe & Nutcracker Sweets
Dec. 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 19 at 3 p.m.
Aurora Dance Arts presents a fun new twist on the holiday classic, following Clara and godmother Drosselmeyer in the enchanted toy shoppe on Christmas Eve, with toys twirling to life and fluttering snowflakes and sugar plums dancing through her dreams. Tickets to this family-friendly show are $20 each.
Aurora Central High School, R.L. Troutman Theatre, 11700 E. 11th Ave.

A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant
Through Dec. 19
Join us as an anonymous company of merry little children gather on a cold winter's night to rejoice in telling the story of Scientology founder and notorious science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard.
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.
Tickets: AuroraFox.org

Santa's Workshop Camp
Dec. 20 to 22, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
This all-day winter-themed camp includes activities for children ages 6 to 10 such as reindeer games, cooking baking and toy making. Breakfast, lunch and snack are provided. Cost is $25 or $35 a day based on location.
Central Recreation Center, 18150 E. Vassar Place, or Moorhead Recreation Center, 2390 Havana St.
Registration: AuroraGov.org/Recreation

Mercado Mistletoe Holiday Pop-up Store
Through Dec. 24
Wednesdays through Fridays, 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Saturdays, 2 to 9:30 p.m.
Sundays, noon to 6:30 p.m.
Kicking off on Small Business Saturday (Nov. 27), this pop-up store will feature a variety of multicultural indie makers and creators selling unique gifts for the holidays, accompanied by music, adult beverages and live theater.
The People's Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave.

Tri-County Health Daily COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
Daily until further notice (closed Thanksgiving Day)
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday (note evening time change)
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Walk-in and drive-through clinic (no appointment necessary) supported by Jogan Health and the city of Aurora. The clinic now offers Pfizer and Moderna booster shots to those who are eligible (see website for details).
Aurora Municipal Campus southwest parking lot, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

COVID-19 Testing Site
Now open through at least Dec. 31
Open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving Day)
Free testing for COVID-19 is provided to anyone who wants to be tested, especially those who have symptoms. No appointment is necessary. No doctor referral, no health insurance, and no proof of identification are required. Online registration in advance is preferred but is not required.
Aurora Center for Active Adults parking lot, 30 Del Mar Circle, at Del Mar Park

The Rise of the Aurora Suburb during the Cold War
Open through April 2022
Join the Aurora History Museum & Historic Sites for an in-person exploration of Aurora's economic prosperity and suburban expansion during the Cold War. The exhibit includes local stories experienced by Aurora residents during the Cold War to enrich the understanding of the period. Learn more at Aurora History Museum. Free admission. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday.
Aurora History Museum & Historic Sites, 15515 E. Alameda Parkway
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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