Author: Kyla Pearce
-
As Aurora police worry about court ruling’s impact on crime, council sees opening to revisit penalties
—
by
Aurora’s top police official is worried about the impact of a Colorado Supreme Court decision about penalties on the city’s crime rate, while progressive councilmembers see an opening to reverse decisions made by previous city councils. The court ruled on Monday that municipalities may not subject defendants to sentences that are harsher under their own…
-
Arapahoe County commissioners adopt $670M 2026 budget
—
by
More than a year after voters passed ballot measure 1A to help Arapahoe County handle a budget shortfall, county officials approved a $670 million budget for 2026 that is nearly $100 million higher than the 2025 budget of $571 million. The county’s budget will cover services with additional property tax revenue from voter-approved 1A, which…
-
Aurora raises rec center, history museum fees as city faces budget shortfall
—
by
Aurora is raising recreation center fees and adding a fee for visiting the Aurora History Museum starting next year as a budget deficit looms, according to the city’s newsletter. The Aurora History Museum, which is currently free, will start charging $5 for adults and $1 for children on Jan. 6. The museum will also adjust…
-
Aurora develops retail strategy as sales tax levels flatten
—
by
Over the past year, Aurora staff have worked on developing a citywide retail strategy, assessing business throughout the city and outlining goals to move forward as retail sales tax levels flatten. Sales tax revenue in Aurora has remained flat over the last two years, causing the city to move toward a budget deficit in coming…
-
Aurora council returns to full public comment allowance, hears demands for police reform
—
by
Residents of Aurora used a full hour of the reinstated public comment period during Monday night’s meeting, taking advantage of the restored time to talk about a need for police reform and for stronger oversight of tobacco products ending up in the hands of kids. Residents also talked about hope for decorum restored to the…
-
Aurora to hold first meeting under new public comment rules, vote on homelessness funding
—
by
The Aurora City Council will hold its first meeting under new rules for public comment Monday night, giving the public one hour at the beginning of the meeting and one hour at the end to speak to councilmembers. Under the old council, there was a separate public comment session before the meeting in which each…
-
Plan to drill, frack under Aurora Reservoir postponed
—
by
Following five days of public comment and deliberation, the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission voted to postpone indefinitely the next well pad application in the Lowry Ranch oil and gas plan. The vote to “stay” — or indefinitely postpone until a condition is met — passed 4-1 this week, suspending the application until Civitas’…
-
Adams County officials call for resignation of county treasurer after ‘inappropriate behavior’
—
by
Adams County Commissioners requested the resignation of the county’s treasurer after multiple allegations of inappropriate behavior toward staff members. Treasurer Alex Villagran has declined to step down. An independent investigation by Employment Matters LLC Flynn Investigations Group found multiple allegations against Villagran to be credible, according to an Adams County Board of Commissioners news release…
-
Aurora’s consent decree monitor reviews fatal pursuit crash, notes ‘inherent risk’ of police chases
—
by
Two people died in a crash that resulted from an Aurora police pursuit last week, which the city’s decree monitor is reviewing. The monitor said the incident underscores the “inherent risks” of pursuits. Meanwhile, the city police department said it has no plans of changing its pursuit policy, arguing the tragedy resulting from the crash…
-
Colorado Gives Foundation turns 50 during giving season
—
by
Colorado Gives Day is Tuesday. The Colorado Gives Foundation, which started as a small hospital fundraising group and has grown into a statewide nonprofit, is celebrating its 50th anniversary shortly after Giving Tuesday. Colorado Gives Day, which was created by the foundation in 2010, predates the nationally recognized Giving Tuesday. It encourages people to give…
