The city of Aurora has a new emergency alert provider, CodeRED, and it’s a great time to add your contact information to the system in order to receive important, even life-saving, alerts sent directly to your phone and/or email.

In an emergency – whether it is a hazardous material spill, severe weather, evacuation order or other critical incident – receiving information in a timely manner is essential. But many people, such as those who no longer have landline phones, may not receive these notifications unless they opt in. To make sure you get the information you need, when you need it, go to AuroraGov.org/AlertAurora and follow the links to sign up for CodeRed. You can choose to receive notifications via landline, cellphone, email, text message, TTY, or a combination. These alerts can be specific to streets, neighborhoods or regions, so by providing an address, you will receive only those notifications that are most important to you. 

CodeRED also offers a smartphone app through which you can customize which alerts you receive and where. Go to AuroraGov.org/AlertAurora to find a link to the app.

For residents who were signed up with the city’s previous provider, Everbridge, information has been carried over to CodeRED, but this marks a good time to review exactly what messages you want to receive and via which devices. Please note that if you previously had the Everbridge app on your smartphone, it will no longer provide you with the relevant information for Aurora. Please download the CodeRED app to your phone instead.

COVID-19 delayed the city's plans for public outreach regarding its new strategic planning initiative, but now is the time for residents to weigh in.

The city is hosting a virtual public meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 1 to provide an opportunity for feedback on Aurora’s first-ever citywide strategic plan, which will be designed to ensure the community's needs are aligned with the city's policies, procedures and services in the coming years.

This plan will serve as a detailed guide for how the city shapes the community's future and serve as a blueprint for city employees to follow when considering how to best provide services to residents.

The strategic plan will build on community input collected during the city's Aurora Places comprehensive planning process. Residents and local businesses helped drive the goals in Aurora Places, which focus on a strong economy, diversity and equity, housing for all, a healthy community, a thriving environment, an authentic Aurora, easy mobility and active transportation. These goals will guide city departments in creating action steps within the strategic plan.

Click here to register in advance for the Oct. 1 meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The city of Aurora Preschool program is now providing virtual learning for children ages 3 to 5 years old (age by Oct. 1).

This fun, interactive learning experience for children is available on your own schedule, either two times a week or up to four times a week. Meet our highly-qualified teachers and join our classrooms a few hours each week.

The cost is $40 a month for two days a week and $80 a month for four days a week. Assistance is available for those who qualify. For more information and to register, call 303.326.8640 or visit AuroraGov.org/Preschool.

Have a comment, question or need our assistance? Contact Access Aurora online, at 303.739.7000, or via iOS or Android app.

Know someone who would like to receive this newsletter? Have them sign up at AuroraGov.org/NewsletterSignup.