Aurora lawmakers will consider two competing ordinances on the city’s pit bull breed restrictions during the next city council meeting on Dec. 21.

The first ordinance would give the city council the power to eliminate Aurora’s breed restrictions. The ordinance, sponsored by council member Allison Hiltz, was successfully voted out of study session Monday with a 7-4 vote.

The second ordinance, introduced as an alternative by Mayor Mike Coffman, would allow the public to vote on eliminating the breed restrictions in the 2021 municipal election.

Identical to Denver’s pit bull measure passed in November, Coffman’s plan includes requirements for pit bull owners to get dogs microchipped, only have two per home and pay annually for a permit.

Coffman’s ordinance failed to make it out of study session with 7-4 vote. However, Coffman said he would hold another vote for the plan during the next city council meeting.

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According to city data, Aurora spends 2.5 times as much on average to shelter restricted breeds like pit bulls. Resources are also spent on enforcing restrictions as the city issued 253 summons regarding restricted breeds this year.

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In 2020, 12% of reported dog bites in Aurora were from restricted breeds. That’s down from nearly 16% in 2019.

Supporters of Coffman’s ordinance argued Monday that it is unfair for the city council to ignore the will of the people as. In 2014, 64% of Aurora voters decided against an ordinance allowing pit bulls in the city.

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Council members Marsha Berzins, Francoise Bergan and Dave Gruber voted in support of Coffman’s ordinance.

Hiltz said the city’s circumstances have changed drastically from 2014, pointing to the current “dangerous” dog ordinance, increased outreach with animal services and surveys that point to public support for repealing breed restrictions.