This Is Aurora City Newsletter
Nov. 17, 2022
Aurora names second interim police chief

As the city resets the national recruitment process for a permanent police chief, the city announced this week that Art Acevedo will lead the Aurora Police Department on an interim basis.

Current Interim Police Chief Daniel J. Oates, who came out of retirement to help stabilize the Aurora Police Department, will return to his home and family in Florida upon Acevedo's arrival and a successful transition in early December.

Acevedo, a nationally recognized law enforcement expert who has more than 35 years of law enforcement experience, has served as police chief in Austin, Texas; Houston; and Miami.

Aurora City Manager Jim Twombly commended Oates for his work to bring a renewed focus to crime reduction, community engagement and internal leadership in line with the existing consent degree. "He built upon the successful work he accomplished as the chief in Aurora for nearly a decade until his departure in 2014," Twombly said.

The city manager welcomed Acevedo and noted his prominent role in the national law enforcement community and his support for needed and measured improvements in policing and public safety across the country. "We are honored that he reached out to us, eager to assist us with the ongoing public safety changes we have been implementing," Twombly said.

The city will continue to reevaluate its national police chief search well into 2023 and focus on recruiting another pool of qualified police chief applicants. For more details on Acevedo's background and the search for a permanent police chief, visit AuroraGov.org. View the press conference announcing Acevedo's appointment.
How to Access Aurora

To report non-emergency concerns, questions, comments or requests for service, reach out to Access Aurora at 303.739.7000 during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or online anytime at AuroraGov.org/ContactUs or the Access Aurora phone app. Walk-in payments, advance appointments and in-person services are available at the Access Aurora counter from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.
Wi-Fi hot spots at Aurora Public Libraries

Wi-Fi hot spots are now available for checkout at all Aurora Public Libraries.

The hot spot device allows users to access the internet from anywhere and is a useful tool for people who do not have internet access at home or cannot afford a monthly internet bill.

Hot spots are available to library patrons ages 18 and older with no outstanding fines or fees on their library account. There are 100 hot spots available. To put a hold on one, visit the library catalog at AuroraLibrary.org and search "hot spot," or call your favorite library branch and pick it up there. Library patrons must sign a hot spot policy and acknowledgment form for the device.

Aurora Public Libraries' hot spots may be checked out for 14 days, after which service is disabled if they are not returned to a library branch. For more information, visit AuroraLibrary.org.
IN THE NEWS
Aurora Now
Council Member Town Meetings
Council members are eager to hear from residents and committed to forums where those conversations can occur. Visit AuroraGov.org/TownMeetings to confirm meeting dates and location information and find links for joining virtual meetings. If you don't know your council ward, visit AuroraGov.org/PropertyInfo and look up your address.
  • Meet with Mayor Mike (Mike Coffman) - Saturday, Jan. 28, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Aurora Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway
  • Ward I (Crystal Murillo) - Thursday, Dec. 1 (note the revised meeting date), 6 to 7:30 p.m., Moorhead Recreation Center, 2390 Havana St. (visit the website for link to virtual meeting option)
  • Ward II (Steve Sundberg) - Thursday, Nov. 17, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Central Recreation Center, 18150 E. Vassar Place (visit the website for link to virtual meeting option)
  • Ward III (Ruben Medina) - Wednesday, Jan. 4, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Aurora Municipal Center, Aurora Room (visit the website for link to virtual meeting option)
  • Ward IV (Juan Marcano) - Thursday, Jan. 12, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Colorado Early Colleges, 1400 S. Abilene St. (visit the website for link to virtual meeting option)
  • Ward V (Alison Coombs) - Tuesday, Jan. 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Heather Gardens Clubhouse, 2888 S. Heather Gardens Way
  • Ward VI (Françoise Bergan) - Wednesday, Jan. 18, 6 to 8 p.m., City of Aurora Public Safety Training Center, 25950 E. Quincy Ave.

City Council Study Session
Monday, Nov. 21, 6:30 p.m.
View online at AuroraTV.org or on cable channels 8 and 880. Visit AuroraGov.org/CouncilMeetings for the agenda.

Thanksgiving Day Holiday
Thursday and Friday, Nov. 24 and 25
City of Aurora municipal offices and courts will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving Day. Go to AuroraGov.org for a complete list of which city facilities will be open or closed on the holiday weekend.

The Jedi Handbook
Nov. 25 to Dec. 18
This coming-of-age story features a young boy who survives the universal trials of growing up with a little help from a galaxy far, far away.
The Aurora Fox, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.
Tickets: AuroraFox.org

Restorative Justice Survey
Deadline: Nov. 30, 5 p.m.
The city of Aurora has contracted The Conflict Center - a nonprofit dedicated to providing practical skills and training to address conflict through relationship building - to help research and develop a plan for a restorative justice program for the city. The Conflict Center is conducting an online survey, which is available in several languages, to understand community perceptions of restorative justice and concerns about the criminal justice system.

Winter Speaker Series
Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.
The museum's first Winter Speaker Series features local authors reading and discussing their work. This week: Manuel Ramos, "Angels in the Wind" (fiction)
Free; but registration is required.
Aurora History Museum, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway
Register through Eventbrite

Historic Site Holiday Open Days
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Explore Delaney Farm's historic buildings, all dressed up for the holidays courtesy of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
DeLaney Farm, 170 S. Chambers Road
More info: AuroraMuseum.org

Holiday Tree Lighting
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 5 to 7 p.m.
Kick off the most wonderful time of year at Aurora’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting. Take delight in performances from Aurora Dance Arts, Aurora Singers and a special visit from the one and only, Santa Claus. Take a stroll through Santa’s workshop and experience the illumination of thousands of sparkling lights around the Aurora Municipal Center. Partake in merrymaking activities and enjoy Santa-approved hot cocoa and cookies.
Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway
More info: AuroraGov.org/Events 

"Pride on Your Side" Photography Exhibit
Through Dec. 31
Aurora Public Library and Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art present the collaborative photography exhibit "Pride on Your Side." This exhibit, led by Juan Fuentes, will feature photos taken by Aurora community members showcasing their views of the city and their lives.
Aurora Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway

Cyanotype (Solar Print) Exhibit
Through Dec. 31
Enjoy a vibrant and colorful cyanotype (solar print) exhibit by internationally recognized artist Christine Nguyen. The exhibit features photo-based flags highlighting the natural world and celebrating the Aurora community, along with a community-created cyanotype mural with creations from community members that participated in Nguyen’s earlier solar print workshop.
Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave.

Mosaic of Cultures: Aurora's Mexican Community
Through April 16, 2023, Tuesdays through Sundays
The Aurora History Museum and the city of Aurora Office of International and Immigrant Affairs celebrate Aurora's Mexican population with this exhibit showcasing vibrant aspects of great cultural and traditional significance to Aurora's Mexican community, like popular music, art, dance, clothing, food and religion. Free admission.
Aurora History Museum, 15051 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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This newsletter is produced by the city of Aurora Communications and Marketing Department

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