This Is Aurora City Newsletter
Sept. 22, 2022
Police chief finalists announced; residents invited to engage in final selection process

Following a national search for Aurora’s next police chief, the finalists for the position have been named, and the community is again invited to provide questions and feedback ahead of candidate interviews with city officials and a community panel scheduled next week.

The finalists are Scott Ebner, a retired lieutenant colonel and deputy superintendent of administration for New Jersey State Police; and David Franklin, the chief of staff at the Albuquerque Police Department in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Find out more about the finalist selection process, the finalists and how you can engage at AuroraGov.org/PoliceChiefFinalists.

Questions from the public are being accepted now through 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, via a link from that website. Visit the webpage to find out how to submit your questions and provide feedback on the finalists. Attend a meet-and-greet event from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, at the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.
"Calacas" visiting Aurora Public Libraries
As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Aurora Public Library is hosting seven larger-than-life paper-mâché skulls “calacas” hand-painted by several Latino Colorado artists in partnership with Denver Botanic Gardens. “Calacas” are often made of decorated sugar, named for loved ones and placed upon the altar in the ofrenda (“offering” table), indicating that life is sweet and fleeting.

Each library branch (except Iliff Square Library) is hosting a skull through Friday, Oct. 21. People are encouraged to visit all branches to experience the exhibit in its totality and post selfies on social using #DBGCommunity and #APLintheCommunity for a chance to win four tickets to Denver Botanic Garden’s Día de los Muertos celebration Saturday, Nov. 5. Entries must be posted by 11 a.m. Oct. 21; winners will be announced Oct. 25. Participants will also get a prize from APL for sending selfies with at least five of the seven skulls to LibraryOutreach@AuroraGov.org. Learn more at AuroraLibrary.org.
Celebrate autumn at new event with family activities at the Aurora Municipal Center
Get ready for pumpkin spice and everything nice. The city of Aurora’s inaugural fall festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Great Lawn of the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.

Enjoy energetic live performances, delicious food trucks, unique vendors, fall-themed activities perfect for the family and a GOURDgeous pumpkin patch. Kids’ activities will include inflatables, caricature artists, balloon twisting, face painting and more!

Learn more about this event and others at AuroraGov.org/Events.
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.
  • Mayor Mike Coffman - Saturday, Oct. 15, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway
  • Ward I (Crystal Murillo) - Thursday, Oct. 20, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Moorhead Recreation Center, 2390 Havana St. (Sept. 22 - canceled)
  • Ward II (Steve Sundberg) - Thursday, Nov. 17, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Central Recreation Center, 18150 E. Vassar Place (virtual meeting option available)
  • Ward III (Ruben Medina) - Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Aurora Center for Active Adults, 30 Del Mar Circle
  • Ward IV (Juan Marcano) - Thursday, Oct. 13, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Colorado Early Colleges, 1400 S. Abilene St. (virtual meeting option available)
  • Ward V (Alison Coombs) - Tuesday, Oct. 18, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Heather Gardens Clubhouse, 2888 S. Heather Gardens Way
  • Ward VI (Françoise Bergan) - Wednesday, Nov. 16, 6 to 8 p.m., Tallyn's Reach Library, 23911 E. Arapahoe Road (virtual meeting option available)

City Council Study Session
Monday, Sept. 26, 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 the City Council during the meeting, go to AuroraGov.org/PublicComment.
Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

Park Lights & Movie Nights 2022
Sept. 22, 23 and 24
Enjoy a family friendly movie at different parks across the city. Movies start at sunset each night. Attendees are encourages to bring chairs, blankets and treats to enjoy a fun movie under the stars. Killer Kettle Corn also will be available for sale on site for those who need a movie-time snack.
More information and locations: AuroraGov.org/Events

Agriculture Festival
Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join the city of Aurora and Denver Botanic Gardens to learn about where your food comes from and how you can support healthy environments with regenerative agriculture. Enjoy wagon rides, 1880s homestead and tipi camp tours, farm animal interactions, a farmer's market, food trucks, sustainable eating education and more. $5 per vehicle (purchase in advance)
Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave.
Timed tickets and more information: AuroraGov.org/Events

Cyanotype (Solar Print) Workshop
Saturday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m. to noon
Join Aurora-based artist Christine Nguyen for a free cyanotype workshop to create a collaborative solar print mural. The event is open to all ages. The mural will be part of a community-generated exhibit on display at Martin Luther King Jr. Library.
Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave.

Survey on Havana/11th/Del Mar Intersection Improvements
Open through Sept. 30
The city has developed a concept design for several mobility improvements at the Havana Street/Del Mar Parkway/11th Avenue intersection. Residents are encouraged to review the plan and provide feedback.
More information and survey: EngageAurora.org/DelMarTriangle

COVID-19 Testing Site
Open through Sept. 30, daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free testing for COVID-19 is provided to anyone who wants to be tested, especially those with 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 not required.
Aurora Center for Active Adults parking lot, 30 Del Mar Circle, at Del Mar Park

"Pride on Your Side" Photography Exhibit
Sept. 30 to 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 view on the city and their lives.
Aurora Central Library, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway
More information: AuroraLibrary.org

Fall Into Fun
Saturday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Get ready for pumpkin spice and everything nice. Enjoy live performances, food trucks, unique vendors, fall-themed family activities and a GOURDgeous pumpkin patch. Kids' activities will include inflatables, caricature artists, balloon twisting and face painting.
Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

Survey on Gartrell Road/E-470 Interchange Expansion Project
Open through Oct. 3
The city, in partnership with the E-470 Public Highway Authority and the South Aurora Regional Improvement Authority, is designing mobility improvements for all types of users at the Gartrell Road and E-470 interchange. A survey is available to provide feedback.
More information and survey: EngageAurora.org/Gartrell

Call for Artists: Aurora Housing Authority Veterans Living Center
Applications due by Sunday, Oct. 17
Are you an artist living and working in Colorado? Aurora's Art in Public Places Program and the Aurora Housing Authority are working together to commission original work for Liberty View Apartments, a new development for older adult veterans to be completed next November. The goal is to activate the space adjacent to the community garden encircled by a walking trail. Designs should be celebratory and embody an inclusive, colorful and inviting space that multigenerational friends, families and communities will enjoy.
Apply online: https://zurl.co/hT1h

"AMERICA" Art Exhibit
Through Oct. 30
The Aurora History Museum is proud to host "AMERICA," an original art show highlighting artists from North, Central and South America, in a freely themed show representing America. This exhibit is presented by the local art collective Tonos Latinos, a network of Latino American artists offering multi-cultural artistic events that bring together visual arts, music, poetry, dance, written word and crafts.
Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway
More information: AuroraMuseum.org

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
More information: AuroraMuseum.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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