This Is Aurora City Newsletter
Jan. 26, 2023
City manager selects Alec Oughton as Fire Chief

Pending City Council’s confirmation Jan. 30 and finalization of an employment agreement, Chief Alec Oughton will lead Aurora Fire Rescue starting March 13.
He is moving to Aurora from the Henrico County, Virginia, Division of Fire.

“I am humbled to have been selected to serve the city of Aurora as your fire chief. The pool of candidates was remarkable, and each one brought significant experience, great ideas, and their heart for service to the process,” Oughton said. “I fell in love with this area in 2007, when riding through it as part of a pediatric cancer research fundraiser. It is a beautiful area with amazing people, and I’ve felt a strong pull toward this community since. I truly look forward to connecting with, and caring for, Aurora’s residents and Aurora’s firefighters.”

This recent community interview provides more information about Oughton's background and vision.

"Chief Oughton brings a wealth of experience from a similarly sized department and a similarly sized and diverse portion of the Greater Richmond, Virginia, area,” City Manager Jim Twombly said. “I found his engagement with Aurora community members, council members and me to be authentic and genuine. I believe he will garner the support of our dedicated fire personnel and the Aurora community. He is committed to our ongoing public safety changes and will add a new perspective to our work.”

To learn more about him, the community leaders, city leaders and officials involved in recruiting and selecting the new chief, visit EngageAurora.org/FireChiefSearch.
Dust off your bikes for Bike to Work Day on Feb. 10
The city of Aurora is joining other metro-area municipalities in participating in this year's Winter Bike to Work Day Friday, Feb. 10.

Pledge to ride your bike to work (or on errands if you telecommute) at BikeToWorkDay.co and earn a chance to win prizes. On your ride, stop by the city's breakfast station from 6:30 to 9 a.m. at the High Line Canal Trail underpass just west of Chambers Road, and pick up a breakfast burrito or coffee sponsored by Bicycle Aurora.
High Line Canal Trail improvement project construction to start

The city of Aurora is beginning construction on nearly 2 miles of multi-use High Line Canal trail to close the gap between East Colfax Avenue and trail improvements constructed by the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Department north of I-70 in 2020.

Designed with community input, the exciting project will add a continuous 8-foot-wide concrete trail with two pedestrian bridges: one to cross over the canal just south of Smith Road and one over I-70 just east of the Tower Road interchange. The trail will promote pedestrian and cyclist safety, and provide improved curb ramps and an upgraded railroad crossing along the route. Ultimately, the project will complete the last remaining missing segment of the 71-mile High Line Canal Regional Trail within the metro area.

Construction is scheduled to begin Monday, Jan. 30 (weather permitting), with anticipated completion in spring 2024. The contractor, American Civil Constructors, plans to begin on the project’s south end and work between East Colfax Avenue and East 19th Avenue on the east side of Tower and along the High Line Canal Trail between those streets. Please expect intermittent delays in vehicular and pedestrian travel in these areas for the first two months and take alternative routes if possible. The contractor also plans to work on the bridge abutment just south of I-70 when the project starts.

Visit AuroraGov.org/HLCT for up-to-date information about the project.
Volunteer to hear and determine appeals made by aggrieved employees in keeping with the rules and regulations of the city's charters and ordinances. Find out more and apply at AuroraGov.org/Boards.
IN THE NEWS
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, Jan. 26, 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, April 20, 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, Feb. 1, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Aurora Center for Active Adults, 30 Del Mar Circle
  • Ward IV (Juan Marcano) - Thursday, Feb. 9, 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, Feb. 21, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Central Recreation Center, 18150 E. Vassar Place
  • Saturday, Feb. 25, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Mission Viejo Library, 15324 E Hampden Circle
  • Ward VI (Françoise Bergan) - Thursday, Feb. 2, 6 to 8 p.m., City of Aurora Public Safety Training Center, 25950 E. Quincy Ave.
  • At-Large (Curtis Gardner, Danielle Jurinsky, Angela Lawson and Dustin Zvonek) - Wednesday, March 29, 6 to 8 p.m., Southeast Recreation Center, 25400 E. Alexander Drive

City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, Jan. 30, 6:30 p.m.
This will be a hybrid meeting, with attendance both in person and virtually. View online at AuroraTV.org or on cable channels 8 and 880. Visit AuroraGov.org/CouncilMeetings for the agenda. For information on addressing City Council during the meeting, go to AuroraGov.org/PublicComment.  
Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

Acts of Faith
Through Feb. 5
The Aurora Fox Arts Center presents a U.S. theatrical premiere that takes the audience through a story of the eternal struggle between good and evil, the disillusionment of youth and the power of belief. From the African Copperbelt to the backwoods of Muskoka, “Acts of Faith” follows a young woman named Faith who gets mistaken for a prophet. When a revered religious leader attempts to take advantage of her plight, she begins using her “gift” to right wrongs and punish the wicked. Far from home, Faith will come up against the ultimate test of her convictions in a final confrontation between sin and sainthood, morality and godliness.
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.
Information and tickets: AuroraFox.org

Cultural Arts Community Session
Feb. 1, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Help the city of Aurora design the 2023-2027 Cultural Arts Plan! Share your ideas at the upcoming community session Wednesday, Feb. 1. A light meal will be provided, and interpretation will be available. To RSVP, email CulturalArtsPlan@AuroraGov.org or call 719.257.3262. Please include interpretation and dietary needs and which session you will attend.
Tallyn's Reach Library, 23911 E. Arapahoe Road.

Neighborhood Improvement Grants Virtual Pre-application Meetings
Thursday, Feb. 2, noon
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 6 p.m.
Looking to spruce up your neighborhood? Aurora is once again offering Neighborhood Improvement Grants of up to $5,000 for neighborhood groups and residents (where a neighborhood organization may not exist) to help enhance neighborhoods while strengthening neighborhood relationships among residents. The competitive grants promote projects that improve a neighborhood’s physical condition, enhance pride and identity, increase neighborhood communication and bring new assets to the neighborhood that foster gathering and positive experiences.
Residents interested in applying must attend a virtual pre-application meeting to learn more about the funding opportunity and application process.

Our Parks, Our Places Open House
Feb. 9, 4 to 7 p.m. and Feb. 10, 2 to 5 p.m.
The city of Aurora and Sasaki Associates invite you to attend one of the upcoming open houses for Our Parks, Our Places: A Plan for Aurora’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space, a systemwide master plan for the future of all parks, recreation and open space in Aurora. Drop in anytime during event hours to share your feedback at the interactive stations. Free childcare is provided for children 3 years and older and free food for participants will also be provided. Interpretation in Amharic, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and Vietnamese will be available.
  • Feb. 9 - Southeast Recreation Center and Fieldhouse, 25400 E. Alexander Drive
  • Feb. 10 - Expo Recreation Center, 10955 E Exposition Ave.

The Year of Magical Thinking
Feb. 10 to 26
In this spellbinding adaptation of her award-winning bestselling memoir by the same name, Joan Didion transforms the sudden and unexpected loss of her husband and their only daughter into a powerful journey down the pathway to healing. The New York Times called Didion’s story “… an indelible portrait of loss and grief ... a haunting portrait of a four-decade-long marriage.” See Didion’s story come to life right before your eyes in this stunning one-woman play at the Aurora Fox Arts Center.
Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E Colfax Ave.
Information and tickets: AuroraFoxArtsCenter.org

Aurora Animal Shelter Adoption Special
Through Feb. 14
Have you been thinking about adopting a dog? Now may be a perfect time. The Aurora Animal Shelter reduced its adoption fee to $30 for all adult dogs six months and older until Valentine’s Day to help open up more kennel space.
Aurora Animal Shelter, 15750 E. 32nd Ave.

Fitzsimons to Anschutz Exhibit
Through March 12
The new exhibit, “Fitzsimons to Anschutz,” explores the development of the Fitzsimons medical complex and its impact on our community over the last 104 years. This exhibition chronicles the people, places, and structures of the historic Fitzsimons medical complex - from its early days during World War I to the more recent developments as a state-of-the-art medical campus. Community members can share stories about their connection to the Fitzsimons Hospital for inclusion in the museum’s archive and website.
Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway
Learn more and share your Fitzsimons story: AuroraMuseum.org

Mosaic of Cultures: Aurora's Mexican Community
Through April 16
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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