Author: Anya Moore anya.moore@denvergazette.com
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‘Sunset provision no more’: Aurora Council votes forward increased penalty on retail theft
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The Aurora City Council is moving to make its ordinance that increased the penalty on retail theft permanent. The council on Monday voted to move forward with removing the sunset provision on its retail theft laws. In 2022, the council required a mandatory minimum jail sentence of three days for anyone convicted of stealing $300…
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Aurora approves navigation center for homeless people with ‘work first’ emphasis
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Aurora City Council approved a resolution that directs the city manager to ensure that Aurora’s navigation campus follows a “work first” approach to homelessness. Purchased by the city in January, the proposed Aurora Regional Navigation Campus will consolidate services for homeless people in one location once it is established in early 2025, according to city…
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Aurora officials introduce new police chief Thursday
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The City of Aurora officially introduced Todd Chamberlain as its new police chief on Thursday morning after a two-year period without a permanent police chief. Aurora City Manager Jason Batchelor selected Chamberlain, who will be sworn into office on Sept. 9, pending confirmation by the Aurora City Council on Monday. Chamberlain, who previously held positions…
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$1.4 million contract OK’d for intensive behavioral support in Aurora school
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The Aurora Board of Education unanimously approved a $1.4 million contract for intensive behavioral support services for students with disabilities on Tuesday night. The contract renews services with Specialized Education of Colorado, Inc. (SESI) and covers program costs for a maximum of 30 students at Sierra School of Aurora. Broken down, the contract costs $1,371,600,…
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Colorado policymakers should adopt Aurora’s tougher approach on retail theft, councilmember says
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Some Aurora officials are pushing for more strident penalties against retail theft statewide, urging policymakers to adopt what the city has enacted. Notably, the city lowered the threshold amount for mandatory sentencing for retail theft, increased the jail time for repeat offenders and tackled “dine and dash” type of crimes. On Aug. 9, the city…
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Aurora council votes to opt out of Colorado law banning guns in government buildings
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Aurora councilmembers voted on Monday night to opt out of a state law prohibiting firearms in so-called “sensitive spaces,” which include government buildings. Enacted this year, the Colorado law bans firearms in polling locations, schools, and government buildings, such as council chambers. The legislation contains a provision allowing local governments to opt out of the…
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Aurora considers sending domestic violence cases to county courts
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The Aurora City Council discussed a plan to remove domestic violence cases from municipal court and instead pass them to state, county or federal court in its study session on Wednesday. Council members also proposed July 1, 2025, as the official transition date but did not make a definitive decision on whether or not to…
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Following Colorado regulators’ OK, oil and gas company turns attention to individual well sites
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Following state approval for oil and gas drilling operations in Arapahoe County, the process now moves to the local level, where individual well sites also need to get the green light. State regulators also vowed to watch the operations very closely. Commissioners said they would “closely review and ensure the actual proposed locations at the…
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Colorado regulators approve oil drilling, fracking near Aurora Reservoir — with conditions
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Colorado’s regulators on Wednesday approved an application to drill for oil and natural gas, including fracking, near the Aurora Reservoir — under certain conditions. Commissioners from Colorado’s Energy and Carbon Management Commission voted, 3-1, to green-light what’s called the Lowry Ranch Comprehensive Area Plan following hours of testimony from opponents and critics, as well as from…
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Jeffco commissioners face scrutiny over $300,000 contract to explore eliminating TABOR refunds
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Jefferson County’s elected officials are facing scrutiny over their decision to hire a political consulting firm and spend $300,000 in public dollars to explore whether voters would support eliminating taxpayer refunds, when their constituents already rejected that question twice. The political consulting firm’s work was the basis for Commissioners Tracy Kraft-Tharp, Andy Kerr, and Lesley…