WORTH DISCOVERING CALL IT BUZZ. CALL IT PROGRESS. CALL IT THE NEXT BIG THING. People choose to live in Aurora because Colorado’s third largest city is accessible, innovative and strong. It is a city that will surprise you. If you think you know Aurora, think again. Aurora is a city worth discovering.

auroragov.org DISCOVER: A strong vision for our city City Council goals provide direction • Assure a safe community for people • Serve as leaders and partner with other governments and jurisdictions • Ensure excellent infrastructure that is well maintained and operated • Create a superior quality of life for residents, making the city a desirable place to live and visit • Be a great place to locate, expand and operate a business and provide for well-planned growth/development • Provide a well-managed and financially strong city

CITY COUNCIL PRIORITY PROJECTS • Fitzsimons Area Development • Havana Corridor including Steve Hogan Fan Fare Development Mayor • Westerly Creek Corridor Completion • Commercial Development Plan for Steve Hogan Renie Peterson, Ward II Sally Mounier Marsha Berzins Mayor (Mayor Pro-Tem) Ward I Ward III I-70 North (including Porteos) • Colfax Corridor • Transit-oriented Development • Construction Defects Legislation • International Program • Homeless Initiatives • 2/1000 Compliance and Police Staffing • Regional Water • City Transportation Funding • Class A Office Space Charlie Richardson Bob Roth Françoise Bergan Barbara Cleland Ward IV Ward V Ward VI At-Large

PAST PRIORITY PROJECTS • Structural Budget Deficit Plan (ongoing) • Sixth Avenue Extension (included now in city transportation funding) • City and County of Aurora Angela Lawson Bob LeGare Brad Pierce At-Large At-Large At-Large (to be revisited at a later date) • Employee Pay and Benefits (ongoing) • Police/Fire Training Facility Funding (facility opened in February) • Museum Expansion for Trolley (opened in 2015)

1 DISCOVER: Colorado’s safest large city

Aurora’s public safety personnel work around the clock to ensure that you are safe at home, safe at school, safe at work and safe at play.

AURORA POLICE DEPARTMENT The accreditation process provides a well-defined, Safest internationally recognized benchmark system to large city measure service quality, ensure best practices are in Colorado #1 met, and allow for continuous improvement. The Aurora Police Department Safest large city is one of only 15 accredited in the U.S. law enforcement agencies Accredited #16 since 2000 Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report in the state of Colorado. Re-accredited AURORA FIRE RESCUE in 2015 Accreditation assists in achieving organizational excellence through a strategic self-assessment model designed to provide continuous quality improvement and enhancement of service delivery to the community. Aurora Fire Rescue is one of only 14 accredited fire departments in Colorado. Training Under Innovative. Cost- One Roof Aurora EMS = efficient. Effective. Police and fire training in Aurora used to mean a lot of driving to The Triage Project: Aurora Fire Rescue collaborates many facilities and training with Aurora Mental Health Center and Arapahoe separately, but the newly opened House substance abuse provider and detox center Aurora Public Safety Training Center to better meet the needs of those who call 911 fixes that problem. for non-emergency needs related to behavioral and substance abuse issues. This program, which • $30 million complex on East Quincy integrates nursing, mental health and substance Avenue near Gun Club Road abuse services, creates a longer-term solution that • Opened in February 2016 significantly reduces non-emergency calls to 911 • Features a classroom/administration building, a and the overuse of emergency services and law pump house, a drill tower, a burn building, an enforcement. emergency vehicle operations course and the start Medical Services Units: Aurora Fire Rescue of a tactical village launched two-person Medical Services Units in • Room for future expansions 2013 to respond to medical emergencies, which • Saves time and money while ensuring integrated save costs and free up four-person fire engines to training excellence for public safety personnel remain available for more critical incidents like fires, extrication and hazardous materials. Say What? This year, the University of New 911 Ambulance Provider: In 2015, Falck Colorado Health’s pilot Mobile Stroke Treatment Rocky Mountain began a five-year contract with the Unit (MSTU) hit the streets, bringing a first-of-its kind city to provide 911 emergency medical transport, medical service and research initiative to Colorado. bringing significant technology and equipment Based in Aurora, the MSTU operates like a specialized upgrades to Aurora’s emergency medical services emergency department on wheels, allowing for faster system. treatment of stroke patients and potentially reducing damage done to a patient’s brain. It’s one of only 2 three such units in the United States. DISCOVER: Inspired development The time is now for new and different kinds of development to come to Aurora, A giving residents of every age and background more choice in where they live, how they get around, where they shop and how they spend their free time. We are creating tomorrow’s Aurora today.

A City Plan That Meets Your Needs With all the change happening in Aurora—light rail, new development, redevelopment and more—it’s time to update the city’s comprehensive plan. This plan, last updated in 2009, looks at topics like economic and environmental sustainability, housing, cultural diversity, health, land use, transportation and more. It’s the plan that the city uses as a Say What? guidepost for making decisions that affect how Aurora develops in the future. In January, Zagat named the Stanley Marketplace as the How Will the Project Work? A newly hired consultant will nation’s sixth most anticipated engage residents in conversation about how the city should develop to restaurant opening in 2016. meet their needs; define a vision for development; and produce an updated plan by mid-2017 to help set priorities, establish strategies, measure results University of and respond to development issues. Visit AuroraPlacesPlan.com for details. Colorado A Line

Stanley Marketplace Gaylord Rockies

Stapleton Resort and Aurora Development Conference Center Fan Fare With financing in place, the long-awaited Gaylord Rockies Resort and Conference Center is beginning to emerge from H LINE R LINE its site on the northeast corner of 64th Avenue and Himalaya Street.

Here’s what's coming: • 10,000+ construction jobs and 2,500+ permanent jobs • 450,000+ new visitors • $273 million new dollars to Colorado’s economy annually • 1,500 hotel rooms • Arapahoe Springs Resort Pool & Lazy River • Estimated opening in late 2018 R Line - Aurora Line/I-225

H Line - Lightrail University of Colorado A Line The Highest Standards BUILDING DIVISION ACCREDITED 2009/RE-ACCREDITED IN 2015 • Colorado’s only building department–and one of only 21 in the U.S.—to achieve accreditation from the International Accreditation Service. • This independent verification ensures the Building Division operates under the highest ethical, legal and technical standards, providing life-safety and property protection in the community.

3 Rail in Aurora into a mixed-use development composed of UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO retail, office uses, residential and/or hotel A LINE • : Featuring a city-managed two-story parking structure with 600 • Rail line opened April 22, spaces for transit riders, opening when the operating between A trains start running; city council early this International Airport and Union year approved the site plan for a 424-unit Station, with stops in Aurora at the Peoria apartment building on 13.62 acres Station and 40th Ave & Airport Blvd - • 2nd • Abilene Station: Construction Gateway Park Station starting soon on a four-story, 139-room • Connects to the Aurora Line/I-225 Rail at Marriott Courtyard, with the property owner also improving Blackhawk Street AURORA LINE/I-225 RAIL: • Colfax Station: The 249-room Hyatt THE “R” LINE Regency Hotel and Conference Center • Opening at the end opened in April 2016 with 30,000-plus of 2016, with several transit- square feet of conference and event space, Porteos oriented developments and a city-managed 506-space public underway parking garage. • : Preferred master • At the same time, the walls are rising on developer Mile High/Koelbel securing the The Forum ~ Fitzsimons mixed-use property and beginning preliminary planning development at Colfax Avenue and Potomac efforts related to redevelopment of the 21.5- Street, which promises 397 rental homes acre Regatta Plaza and 28,000 square feet of restaurant and site at Parker Road LINE retail space. It will be ready for move in and Peoria Street sometime in 2017.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Creating Noteworthy Places WESTERLY CREEK VILLAGE • Stapleton Aurora: Stapleton expanding into Aurora with 322 single-family attached and detached homes south of 26th Avenue between Fulton and Moline streets, a 24.7- acre park east of Westerly Creek, and open space with connections to Westerly Creek and the Stanley Marketplace • Stanley Marketplace: Food-centric, community-inspired 100,000-square-foot marketplace coming to the old 22-acre Stanley Aviation campus near East 25th Avenue and Dallas Street; featuring 48 local businesses, including Stanley Beer Hall, Rosenberg’s Bagels, Comida, Sazza Pizza + Salads (and urban farm), Sweet Cow, Denver Biscuit Co., Happy Bakeshop, Annette, Yellowbelly Chicken and Logan House Coffee Co. • Lower Westerly Creek Flood Control Improvements: Work completed earlier this year on addition of roadway bridge and widening of Westerly Creek to augment storm flows between East 17th and East 23rd avenues while improving the overall appearance of Westerly Creek Park’s northeast corner • Montview Park: First phase of renovation complete, which removed old tennis courts and replaced them with new concrete basketball courts (funded through Adams County Open N Space Tax and Grant) • Moorhead Recreation Center: Renovation and expansion underway (see page 13)

FAN FARE PORTEOS • 10.3-acre site of former department store ready for development • 1,252-acre mixed-use • Request for Proposals initially issued in 2014 for interested developers; commercial development the proposals submitted did not adequately respond to the criteria so opportunity next to DIA public process was closed • Porteos and the city completed • Third-party market study completed and presented earlier this year to construction on Jackson Gap stakeholders and city leaders; request for proposals Road from DIA through Porteos, reissued in May 2016 4 creating a second entrance to DIA. • Marketing of redevelopment opportunity continues DISCOVER: A thriving business environment Aurora is the place to be. The city's tax base continues to grow at an average rate of 1 to 2 percent annually, attracting investments from top national employers, homebuilders and developers.

Business is booming in Aurora. In the last 3 years 30+ new or expanded primary employers have moved to Aurora, creating more than 4,800 new jobs with a $350 million economic impact.

Avitus Group corporate headquarters Amazon MycoTechnology Virgin America Communications Test Design, Inc. 30+ Builders Warehouse, Inc. Falck Rocky Mountain New and American Financing Corp. Electronic Recyclers International TransFirst LLC Alpine Lumber expanding Green Chef KeHe Distributors businesses Medline Industries Colorado Access including Laser Galicia Crown Lift Trucks Wilbur Ellis Buckley Air Force Base • Contributed nearly $923 MILLION to the local economy in 2015 • Home of the 460th Space Wing, 140th Wing Colorado Air National Guard, Navy Operations Support Center, Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado, Army Aviation Support Facility and Air Reserve Personnel Center • Supports 83 base partners • Employs 13,000 active duty, National Guard, civilians and contractors • 5,000 to 6,000 employees—a third of Colorado’s aerospace jobs—support Buckley’s mission at 20+ aerospace companies, such as Raytheon, and Fitzsimons Innovation Campus Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Boeing • Largest academic health center in the Rocky Mountain region • Contributes $5.6 billion+ annually to the state’s economy • More than 1.7 million patient visits each year • Site of the University of Colorado Hospital, the University of Colorado health sciences schools, Children’s Hospital Colorado and the Veterans Affairs medical center (under construction) • Proximity of these entities to each other facilitates the flow of discoveries made from the bench to the bedside—and ultimately to the community • Fitzsimons Innovation Campus Loxo Oncology hosts 60 commercial bio- science firms exploring Greentape Nanoly new research frontiers, ImmunoMolecular Therapeutics including 20 new businesses Skindroid that opened in 2015. 3D Biopsy • CU Anschutz hosts 65 Omix Cerebral Therapeutics research centers and institutes (research Galaxy Opthalmics programs rank among the Colorado Research Partners top 25 in the nation and Ocugen produce industry-changing Ursa Holdings science and technology) TEQ Analytical 5 THE Customers who do business in Aurora have the advantage of: Predictable timelines • Dedicated project AURORA managers • Flexible zoning options • Competitive tap fees • Rebates and incentives • Accelerated Service and Priority Review for business Program • And much more

COMPLETED: FLAT FEES FOR BUILDING PERMITS Flat Permit Fees Have Arrived: New flat fees for basement finishes, patio covers, decks, signs, water heater replacements, tenant finish work, re-roofing permits, furnace replacements, new air conditioning installations and such ensure consistency, fairness and simplification.

SLATED TO OPEN IN 2017: DEVELOPMENT CENTER Whom It’s For: Any building or development customer, from homeowners and contractors to small business owners and large-scale developers Happier Customers: Designed to consolidate resources, provide customer-focused services, streamline processes, consolidate and simplify fees and supply a single point of contact from beginning to end

IN PROGRESS: ZONING CODE UPDATE Massive Zoning Code Update in Progress: Project aims to respond to new challenges facing the city, such as the influx of light rail, outdated infrastructure and redevelopment opportunities along Aurora’s older commercial corridors Goal: To simplify and re-balance the code to encourage new kinds of quality infill and development Feedback: Public comments are encouraged; visit auroragov.org/zoningcodeupdate for details. IN PROGRESS: CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS ISSUE History: State legislation passed in 2007 made it significantly easier for property owners and homeowners’ associations to bring construction-defect claims against homebuilders. The result was a dramatic increase in often frivolous, unsubstantiated and costly construction-defect lawsuits, which led to a significant decrease in owner-occupied condominium construction because builders couldn’t obtain insurance for projects. Bad for the Housing Market: As a result, cities have seen an important segment of their affordable housing market virtually disappear—a particular concern for Aurora where condominium construction will be an important component of development around light rail stations. Local Action: Lack of state action has resulted in cities tackling the issue locally, with the city of Aurora passing an ordinance in 2015 with the goal to spur construction of owner-occupied condominium housing once again and create more diverse housing options while still protecting homebuyers. Back to the State: Prospective bill scuttled before it was introduced in the state legislature

BUSINESS BY THE NUMBERS MAPPING TOOLS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS On the Havana Corridor: There’s an App for That: The city’s website hosts numerous mapping applications designed to make it easier NEW BUSINESSES for businesses and developers to build and OPENED IN 2015, grow in Aurora, and providing residents CREATING 160 NEW JOBS greater access to data and statistics. 16 Everything You Need to Know: Licenses: In 2015, the city had 15,938 total Featured information includes business licenses. Of those, 9,701 operate locations property information, urban renewal areas, intergovernmental in Aurora. Inspections: More than 89,700 agreements, business and liquor completed last year—most within one day of a request licenses, retail shopping center Permitting: Single-family permitting up 18 percent and rail station locations, and more. compared to 2014 6 DISCOVER: A community getting connected Aurora offers a wealth of opportunity and a comfortable way of life, which is why so many residents are proud to call the city home and often stay here for generations. Boasting one of the broadest varieties of nationalities across 450 neighborhoods, Aurora welcomes all walks of life and makes residents feel at home.

Helping Our Immigrants Integrate: Aurora Office of International and Immigrant Affairs This office was created in 2015 to facilitate the successful integration of immigrants and refugees into Aurora’s civic, economic Building Relationships Abroad: and cultural life, along with leading city Aurora Sister Cities International international efforts related to strategic Established in 2014, this organization promotes mutually beneficial global partnerships, managing official relationships for Aurora centered on international trade along with protocol activities and serving as cultural and educational exchange. Initiatives and accomplishments a liaison to the international community. include: • Led a mayoral delegation to Adama, Ethiopia—Aurora’s sister Last September, the office introduced an city—and collected nearly 10,000 books and $19,000 medical innovative and comprehensive IMMIGRANT supplies to send to Adama residents INTEGRATION PLAN that touches on • Sent representatives to U.S.-China Sister Cities Conference in civic engagement, public safety, language Chicago, launched a committee to explore a sister city relationship acquisition, neighborhoods and city services, with China, and hosted Chinese delegates from Loudi City to economic and financial growth, economic continue exploration and friendship efforts development, sports and recreation, arts and • Revitalized Aurora’s relationship with its sister city Seongnam culture, and health and wellness. City, South Korea, and hosted a trade delegation from there • Participated in a mayoral visit to El Salvador Progress on the Plan: Natural Helpers Program: Launched Aurora International Cabinet: Launched in collaboration with the Aurora Welcome for city departments to maximize resources, Center, the nationally recognized Natural avoid duplication and improve coordination Helpers program recruits volunteers from Global Fest: Helped city departments the local immigrant and refugee communities organize another successful year for Aurora's who have the desire to help fellow immigrants premier international event (in collaboration as they integrate into receiving communities with the Aurora International Roundtable) New American Citizenship Academy: Consular Night: In partnership with Aurora Hosted the inaugural academy in March with Sister Cities International, organized first a cohort of high school students from Aurora reception honoring Colorado's Consular Corps Public Schools, giving youth with immigrant and New Books from Mexico: Secured an refugee backgrounds a week-long exposure to important donation of new children’s books all aspects of city government for Aurora Public Libraries, kicking off a long- Learning English: Supported the expansion term collaboration with the Mexican Consulate of ESL, civic and citizenship classes in Aurora Out in the Community: Participated in through key partnerships with the Colorado African events and activities organized by Organization and others immigrant and refugee groups 7 Finding a Place to Call Home: Community-Campus Partnership Aurora@Home A program of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • Pilot program was launched in established in 2013 to serve as a bridge between surrounding 2013 to address families that communities and the campus to foster beneficial collaborative activities are homeless or at risk of being and programs aimed at community transformation, health and homeless economic well-being. It operates from both the Anschutz Health and • Consists of 17 partner agencies Wellness Center and the city’s Hoffman Municipal Services Building that form a collaborative with Aurora Housing Authority serving Core Mission: Establishing collaborations and fostering connections as the fiscal agent and program that support education, research, service, service learning, administrator; partner agencies 1 employment of local residents and coordination of pipeline programs give financial and in-kind help for careers in the health sciences • 25 families were initially Monthly Networking Breakfasts and Dinners: Offers another way engaged in the pilot program to connect organizations with residents (50+ attendees per month, for rapid rehousing and 2 with about two-thirds of attendees being residents) homeless prevention: of the 25, 87 percent exited to Resident Leader Council: Made up of 22 highly motivated residents permanent housing and 13 (hailing originally from countries such as Vietnam, Bhutan, Ethiopia, percent exited unsuccessfully 3 Thailand and Mexico) volunteering to make connections with neighboring residents to discover their concerns and priorities as it • 72 children are currently relates to the campus (236 residents reached so far, with a second in pilot program wave “Connections Campaign” to be conducted in 2016) • As a collaborative partner, Arapahoe County Human Aurora-Anschutz Executive Leaders Group: Made up of city leaders Services and Community and campus executives exploring how the campus and Aurora can Resources has committed an 4 develop an “anchor institution mission” that promotes community employment specialist from transformation through economic development and other opportunities AD Works! to Aurora@Home that improve well-being (e.g., Hire Local, Buy Local programs to help families with training and career development Campus-In-The-Community Days: Hosts quarterly “Community-on- programs and obtain Campus Day” and “Campus-In-The-Community Day” events to enhance awareness, education and exposure across the campus and community employment that will help them 5 remain housed. Hire Local Program: Helps local residents living in communities • Goals include transitioning the surrounding the campus to be aware of and prepared for entry-level Aurora@Home program from 6 being a pilot to being a broader 6 jobs on campus, and to increase the diversity of the campus’ workforce and eliminate barriers to employment city plan addressing housing  Partnering with Community College of Aurora on Healthcare Bridge and services for homeless or Training, a 10-week integrated adult basic education and healthcare at-risk families and individuals; skills training program focusing on an entry-level job in healthcare identifying additional funding that has a career pathway: patient services coordinator. So far, 28 streams; and working together graduates have been hired by local institutions, including 17 on the to increase affordable housing Anschutz campus. • Since 2012, Aurora@Home has  All major employers on the campus are partnering with Community- increased its funding streams Campus Partnership on this effort (University of Colorado, Children’s from $125,000 to $950,000, Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Hospital and University Physicians, Inc.). and will increase the number of  Also working with county workforce development centers on job families served. preparation skills and placement (e.g., resume writing, interviewing)  Envisioning a future job hub where residents can come for campus employment resources

Community-Campus Partnership is funded by the CU Anschutz Chancellor's Office, The Denver Foundation, the University of Colorado Hospital and Children's Hospital Colorado. 8 DISCOVER: A Sixth well-built city Avenue Parkway A growing city needs solid infrastructure to support the new influx of residents and Extension businesses while sustaining those who have • Work underway to lived and operated here for years. enhance east-west mobility between Sixth Avenue/State Highway 30 and E-470, addressing Marijuana increased travel MILLION demand from new Revenue Projects residential and $ IN MARIJUANA business growth By the End of 2016: TAXES SINCE • Environmental OCTOBER 2014 assessment The city expects to collect more than completed and 8 reviewed by public • Council approved an intergovernmental $1.8 for an additional left-turn lane from Alameda agreement in Avenue to southbound I-225 December for a MILLION $2 million contribution to the project, along with a $2 million loan $800 for a Sixth Avenue sidewalk from • Along with city Del Mar Circle to Potomac Street funds, additional THOUSAND funding sources are being pursued • Extension supports traffic at Buckley AFB $1.2 for a transportation project that will be MILLION determined in 2016

$1.5 to address homelessness in the city (first of a three-year funding plan) MILLION

reserved for currently $680 funded nonprofits in event the THOUSAND photo red light program ends

$2 to fund bonds to build a recreation facility in central Aurora MILLION 9 shrubs and turf cost the city more Median than $1 million per mile to build. New 2016 Pilot Program: Will reduce costs and water with Pilot non-irrigated medians using a variety of drought-tolerant plants, boulders, rock sizes Parking and Program and textures (about 2.2 miles). Total Budget: This $900,000 Mobility Program Landscaped Medians: Beautify construction project will open • The addition of light rail stations Aurora’s arterial streets and for bids in late 2016. and two city-owned parking garages prevent erosion. Future Projects: Research prompted the need to create a new city- 50 Miles of Medians are underway regarding future managed Parking and Mobility Program. Undeveloped: Past irrigated expansion; public input will • The program's vision is to manage be solicited. median projects with trees, parking efficiently to provide a safe and positive parking environment for customers while supporting and strengthening the transit-oriented development areas, the city’s urban center and the city’s placemaking goals. • The city manages the Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center’s 506-space public parking garage and the 600-space Iliff Station parking garage. • A new Neighborhood Parking Permit Program will prioritize residential and neighborhood parking demand in areas that are in close proximity to outside traffic generators, such as transit stations and commercial districts. • Six Neighborhood Parking Permit Program districts have been established (South Dillon Street, Fitzsimons South, Helena and 7th, Medical Center of Aurora, Overland High School and Smoky Hill High School). • Four additional districts have been proposed (Iliff Station, Florida Station, 13th Avenue Station and Fitzsimons Village [South]). • A number of public meetings on the Parking and Mobility Program have taken place, and additional meetings will be scheduled this year.

10 DISCOVER: A place worth visiting People come here for the sunshine, open spaces, breathtaking views and ethnic eating places. They come here to relax and recreate. They come to play ball on world-class fields and seek care in world-class healthcare facilities. They come because Aurora is truly the eastern gateway to the Rockies. And when they come here, spend their hard-earned cash in our city and head home again, it benefits all of us who live here.

Aurora as a Destination: A record year for Visit Aurora

• 158 PERCENT • OVER 2,000 INCREASE IN NEW PATIENT LEADS generated, APPOINTMENTS 181 percent at Aurora’s increase in leads healthcare awarded, 217 facilities via the percent increase Visit Aurora M.D. in room nights website awarded over 2014

• MORE THAN • SPONSORED/ • A 2015 $7 MILLION in WORKED WITH MARKETING city lodger’s tax MORE THAN 70 CAMPAIGN collections (up 20 EVENTS IN 2015, resulted in 3.15 percent over a such as the Rocky million impressions record 2014) Mountain Air Show and a 250 percent featuring the U.S. increase in traffic to Air Force Visit Aurora’s hotel Thunderbirds booking engine

Art in More Public Places: Creating great places for a vibrant community Martin Luther King Jr. Statue: Unveiled in 2015 • Virginia artist Jeff Hall • 7-foot-tall sculpture placed in front of station wall along Sable Boulevard • Martin Luther King Jr. Library • bronze • Art in Public Places Art in Public Places/RTD funded funded  2nd & Abilene Station: Kentucky artist Douwe Star Child: Unveiled in 2015 • Colorado artists Jonathan Blumberg • artwork on pedestrian bridge between Lamb and Michael Ortiz • Eight-story mural on Fletcher parking and platform • aluminum/magnesium alloy and Gardens Building • Art in Public Places funded UV-stabilized acrylic • Art in Public Places/RTD funded Public Safety Training Center: Unveiled in 2016 •  13th Avenue Station: Alabama artist Chris Fennell • Mural/photo collage/artifact display • Art in Public sculpture on traffic island between parking and station Places funded platform • steel and donated bicycles • Art in Public The Aurora Line/I-225 Rail Artwork in Progress Places/RTD funded  Iliff Station/Parking Garage: California artist Gordon  Colfax Avenue Station: Arizona artist Joe O’Connell Huether • 35-foot-tall monument sculpture • Aluminum, • artwork under Colfax Avenue bridge • laser-cut steel dichroic glass and LED lights • Art in Public Places funded and LED lights • Art in Public Places funded  Florida Station: Washington artist Koryn Rolstad  Fitzsimons Station: Washington artist Koryn Rolstad • • interactive art using sound to be located within artwork on landscaped area near platform • aluminum, pedestrian bridge • plastic film on polycarbonate dichroic glass and structural acrylic • Aurora Art in windows • Art in Public Places/RTD funded Public Places/RTD funded  Aurora Metro Center Station: Colorado artist John  Windscreens: New York Artist George Bates • 24 art King/Connecticut muralist Ted Esselstyn • sculpture 11 pieces to be placed on platform windscreens cross eight between bus exchange and station, and mural on stations • hand-painted glass • RTD funded University of Colorado A Line Artwork Art 2C on Havana: Annual public art exhibition on  Peoria Station: Washington artist Blessing Hancock • display through September 2016 • artists from Colorado sculpture on island in bus turnaround • steel, aluminum, and surrounding states • 13 sculptures temporarily acrylic and LED lighting • Art in Public Places/RTD funded displayed along Havana Street • various media •  40th and Airport Station: New York artist Molly Havana Business Improvement District and Dilworth • artwork on façade of station • marine paint Art in Public Places funded coated steel • Art in Public Places/RTD funded

Preserving the Grasslands: Plains Conservation Center • Nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving grasslands in the eastern Colorado high plains • Operates a 1,100-acre site in Aurora (featuring trails, a replica 1837 Cheyenne camp, a replica 1887 pioneer homestead with sod homes, a one-room schoolhouse, a chicken coop and heirloom garden, and more) • Operates the 9,000-acre West Bijou site in eastern Colorado (only open for special tours and site of a K-T boundary section) • In 2015, became an accredited hub with the Savory Institute, an organization that promotes the large-scale restoration of the world’s grasslands through holistic management • Recently established new partnership with the Denver Botanic Gardens to enhance programming and expand the center’s reach

Creativity Thrives Here • Early this year, Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA) in the Aurora Cultural Arts District celebrated the grand opening of its $1.9 million renovation, expanding the facility to 8,000 square feet including many classrooms, offices and a new media room to serve more than 1,000 local children annually. • Theatre Esprit Asia and a number of visual artists work and exhibit on site at the 1400 Dallas St. Gallery and Studios. • Kim Robards Dance offers classes at 9990 E. Colfax Ave. • Woodworker and furniture craftsman Ethan Hutchinson creates custom furniture and offers workshops at his studio on Chester Street, just north of Colfax. • A building at 9995 E. Colfax Ave. is being renovated. The rehabilitation will create an arts center that can be leased to a variety of arts users; a 2,500-square-foot space also will be available for a new restaurant. • The district’s thriving theatre scene continues this year with 12 productions on stage at the award-winning Vintage Theatre Co., five on stage at the Aurora Fox Arts Center (encompassing the Aurora Fox Theatre Company and Ignite Theatre), and three Theatre Esprit Asia productions at the 1400 Dallas St. Gallery and Studios. The Aurora Fox Theatre Company's 2016-17 season will include a world premiere and two regional premieres. Outside the Arts District • Jubilee Roasting Co. opened in late 2015 at its location on Kenton Street just south of Colfax to purvey coffee and foster collaboration via its six 8-foot by 10-foot artist studios. • Award-winning silversmith Kim Harrell continues to create jewelry for both private and corporate clients worldwide at her studio along the Havana corridor. 12 DISCOVER: A healthy, active lifestyle Aurora residents enjoy a unique quality of life that blends an old-fashioned sense of community with a range of outdoor and leisure activities.

Aurora’s Recreation Facilities: Better than Ever MOORHEAD: RENOVATION AND EXPANSION • Attendance nearly tripled from 2007 to 2014 NEW! • 4,500-square-foot recreation center last renovated 30 years ago • Broke ground in March on $16 million expansion 41,000 • Project to expand center into 41,000-square-foot, 1Center full-service recreation facility SQ FOOT will • Moorhead Outdoor Pool closed during the recreation facility REOPEN summer 2016 pool season due to construction early • Recreation programs happening at Fletcher 2017 Community School during construction

WATERSLIDES: JUST IN TIME FOR SWIM SEASON • New waterslides were installed at Aqua Vista Pool, Park Lane Pool 2 and Del Mar Pool. Expo Center: Recently updated with new fitness AURORA SPORTS PARK: NEWLY EXPANDED component • Expansion Recently Completed at Award-winning Complex: Featuring four new lighted synthetic turf fields, TRIPLE CREEK GREENWAY CORRIDOR: more than 350 new parking spaces, spectator seating, all-season restrooms CREATING CONNECTIONS and concession vending area • A Better, Greener Future: The Triple • Growing Sports Park: 220-acre Creek project is one part of a multi- 3site with 12 baseball/softball fields jurisdictional effort related to natural resource and 27 soccer/multi-use natural turf fields. The 4 damage settlement funds stemming from expansion adds 17 acres at the park’s entrance the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Aurora has teamed up with along East Colfax Avenue, with another 17 acres Arapahoe County to acquire properties for a greenway and available for future facilities. trail system extending along Sand, Coal and Senac creeks. • Synthetic Turf Extends Playing Season: • Linking Open Spaces: When completed, the project will Provides athletes with a place to use these top- unite the Sand Creek Regional Greenway with the Aurora tier fields year-round Reservoir and the Arapahoe County Regional Park and tie • Open for Play: Fields may be reserved for team together existing recreational facilities along the 14-mile practices and games, weather permitting corridor. • Paying for It All: $6 million-plus funding • In the Last Six Years: $19 million in outside grant funding supported in part by the Arapahoe County Open (State Natural Resource Damages Settlement, Great Space Tax Outdoors Colorado, Arapahoe County Open Space, Adams • Visitor Attraction: Park serves more than County Open Space, and Trust for Public Land) has enabled 410,000 people annually and contributes millions the city to acquire about 240 acres to date while activity to the local economy 13 working on acquisition of another 450 acres. DISCOVER: A city with history 2016 is a significant year for the city of Aurora. Not only are exciting development and transit projects coming to completion, but also the city turns 125 years young.

In celebration of Aurora’s quasquicentennial, events Worth Discovering: and activities are planned throughout the year. For more details, visit us at YEARS AuroraGov.org/Aurora125. HISTORY It’s been a great celebration so far. This Geocaching year’s highlights included:

Aurora Mayor’s Proclamation: Mayor Steve To celebrate Aurora’s 125th Birth- Hogan proclaimed April the Quasquiscentennial day, let your GPS guide you on an Month, and co-authored a poem with Aurora's adventure around our city. Twelve poet laureate Jovan Mays. “Aurora Ale” special geocaches have been hid- Reunion of Current and Former City den throughout Aurora. Find all Council Members: Past and present city Our Own Special Brew 12 by Dec. 31, 2016, to collect a leaders gathered for a reunion dinner in commemorative token. One per The amazing team at Dry Dock April. family, please. Brewing Co. created a special 125th Birthday Party: Celebrations brew to honor 125 years of happened at the Aurora History Museum, Aurora’s history. Come out Steps: DeLaney Farm and Morrison Nature Center the North Dock or South Dock in April. 1. Visit geocaching.com/play facilities to try it on draft. Or Aurora Symphony Orchestra: Debuted look for the 22 ounce bombers 2. Download the free app and a new composition “Aurora Colorado register. in retail stores and on tap at city Variations” by Aurora composer Joseph events while supplies last. 3. Print out an Aurora Travel Log. Scardetta in May 4. Find a cache, sign the log. On Aurora Singers: Performed 125th your Aurora Travel Log, enter Anniversary Concerts in May the date and code letter you “Worth Discovering: 125 Years of We encourage you to found in the cache. Aurora History:” Displayed at the Aurora celebrate with us. Use 5. Repeat step #4 until you History Museum through July 10 social media to mark the have all 12. Summer in the City: Birthday cake every city’s anniversary. 6. Take your completed week at parks around the city this summer Aurora Travel Log to the Just record a short video of Aurora History Museum, yourself talking about your 15051 E. Alameda Parkway, favorite place/thing in Aurora and collect your souvenir. and post it on Facebook, Twitter Visit auroramuseum.org or Instagram using the hashtag for museum hours of #AuroraCO125. operation.

• First water independence from Denver? The A FEW TRIVIAL FACTS Homestake Reservoir Project, completed in 1967 • First and only female mayor? Norma Walker – • What's the meaning of the city seal’s five stars? 1964 to 1967 Home, School, Church, Business and Industry • First stand-alone high school? William Smith High • Trail that brought the settlers here in the 1860s? School, built in 1931 at 13th Avenue and Del Mar The Smoky Hill Trail, with Smoky Hill Road following Parkway (now part of Aurora West College Preparatory the trail’s middle branch and Parker Road following the Academy) 14 southern branch DISCOVER: How your tax dollars work The city, by law, must balance its budget every year. The 2016 city budget provides a sound financial plan to provide the best possible municipal services. As revenue continues to perform well, the budget was balanced without budget reductions for the third consecutive year.

Budget Process • The budget is a strategic tool 2016 General Fund Sources: for achieving the city council’s goals and priorities. Where the money comes from • In 2016, adjustments to the budget further these council 1. Sales Tax 55% goals and priorities. 2. Other operating • Performance measures are & Transfers 11% being developed to assess 9 whether these budget additions 3. Capital related 7% meet the desired outcomes, and 8 use tax ultimately whether the city is 4. Fines & fulfilling the council’s 7 2% forfeitures goals and priorities. • Pairing goal and priority- 6 5. Lodgers tax 2% driven budget requests 5 1 6. Highway users 4% with performance measures 4 taxes/fees allows the city to improve 7. Auto-use tax 5% transparency and 3 customer service. 8. Franchise 5% • Citizens are encouraged fees/taxes to attend annual budget 9. Property tax 9% town meetings and public 2 hearings to inform the city council about their issues and priorities during the budget process. Economic • The Citizens’ Advisory Budget Committee meets Factors and City monthly over city operations, Goal 1. Safe Community 52% Revenues priorities and budget needs, and make its own recommendations Goal 2. Leaders and Partners 1% to the city council related to the budget (as do the Citizens’ Goal 3. Excellent Infrastructure 10% Advisory Committee on Housing City Strong Revenues and Community Development Colorado and the Citizens’ Water Goal 4. Quality of Life 8% Advisory Committee). Goal 5. Business Development 3% • General fund revenues have averaged 6.8 percent annual Goal 6. Well Managed City 10% growth over last three years. 2016 Adopted • Modest economic growth should follow healthy revenue General Fund Budget Transfers to Other Funds 16% increases in 2015 and 2016 as by Council Goals recovery and revenue growth 15 rates stabilize. Tax Basics 2016 General Fund Sources: Where the money goes Aurora's Sales & Use Tax 30% Police 3.75 Since 1993 (rate is less than or equal to Brighton, 20% Capital & Other Transfers Boulder, Broomfield, Castle Rock, Commerce 14% Fire City, Fort Collins, Glendale, Greeley, Northglenn, Thornton 10% Administration & Support and Westminster) 9% Public Works The Remainder of Sales Tax Goes Where? 6% Courts & Legal State (2.9 percent); County (0.25 percent 4% Parks, Recreation & Open Space for Arapahoe, 0.75 percent for Adams and 1 percent for Douglas); 2% Neighborhood Services RTD (1 percent); and SCFD (0.1 percent) 2% Library & Cultural Services Low, Low, Low: Aurora’s property tax 2% Dispatch rate of 8.6 mills is the lowest that it’s been 1% Legislative since 1988. LOW 1% Planning & Development Services Value for the Money Some Average U.S. Household Costs (Monthly): $99 cable and $110 electricity Compare This: Aurora households get city services like police, fire, snow removal, street repair, park maintenance, libraries and more for about $86 per month in taxes. Structural Budget Deficit Plan Sales tax revenue funds the bulk of city services. • In the 21st century, people spend more on services like haircuts and medical check-ups (no sales tax) than goods like clothing and furniture (sales tax). • That means fewer funds to pay for city services, resulting in what’s called a structural budget deficit. • Continued strong revenues, a focus on multi-year balancing strategies, and the conservative and judicious use of ongoing funds in budget deliberations has made the structural budget deficit less pronounced than before—but the problem hasn’t gone away entirely. • Projected shortfalls are significantly less than they were in prior years, but careful measures must be taken each year to ensure a balanced budget. 16 DISCOVER: A well-managed city

Financial Economic Performance Customer Sustainable Stability Development Management Service Compensation Employee Pay & Benefits

• Compensation Project Continues  Employee participants represent all generations Staff is working to reclassify city jobs and establish a and city departments. compensation system that is predictable, affordable • The Loft Innovation Space and sustainable.  The city recently opened its first purpose-built • Changes to Benefits innovation space at the Aurora Municipal Center  Negotiations in employee benefits such as providing a different kind of meeting area for retirement savings plans and insurance rates employees that encourages creativity and ensure the cost effectiveness and quality of these collaboration. benefits for both the city and its employee.s  Two rooms are equipped with colorful, comfortable • Aurora SHIFT: Next Generation Workplace Initiative furniture and walls as well as technology to allow  The city is preparing to position itself to better employees to share and evaluate. attract and retain the next generation of employees.  It mimics a concept used by innovative worldwide  This initiative is thoroughly reviewing city policies companies like Google with the goal to make the city competitive in and LEGO. maintaining a high-quality, diverse workforce.

4 COREVALUES Live it every day 1 2 3 4 INTEGRITY RESPECT PROFESSIONALISM CUSTOMER SERVICE We live Integrity by We live Respect by We live professionalism by We live Customer Service by • Telling the truth. • Valuing the worth • Treating everyone equally. • Going the extra mile. • Being consistent. of others. • Embracing best and safe • Exceeding expectations. • Doing the right • Honoring diversity practices. • Being responsive, courteous thing even when and differences. • Using data to help us make and fair. nobody is looking. • Practicing the decisions and do our work. • Delivering quality, efficient and Golden Rule. cost-effective services.

17 2015-16 Awards & Accolades • American Water Works Association Partnership for Safe Drinking Water  Aurora Water: Phase IV “Excellence in Water Treatment” designation for Peter D. Binney Purification Facility • National Association of Clean Water Agencies  Aurora Water: Excellence in Management Platinum Award  Sand Creek Water Reclamation Facility: Platinum Performance Award • National Accreditation Honors  Re-accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International: Aurora Fire Department (accredited since 2000)  Re-accreditation from the Commission on the Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies: Aurora Police Department (accredited since 2000)  Re-accreditation from the International Accreditation Service: Building Division (accredited since 2009) • Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Local Government Award  Bronze – Planning for Economic Development: Aurora Line, Phase 1 • League of American Bicyclists  City of Aurora named Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Business (first business in Aurora to earn this distinction) • Government Finance Officers’ Association  Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2015 Budget Book  Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting: Comprehensive Annual Financial Report • Aurora Chamber of Commerce  Man of the Year Award: City Manager George (Skip) Noe • Wyland Foundation National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation: No. 1 for Cities 300,000 – 599,999 in Population (2015 and 2016) • Zillow: Aurora home to nine of the 10 hottest neighborhoods in the U.S. • Zagat: Stanley Marketplace sixth most anticipated restaurant opening in the U.S. • Better Doctor: No. 1 Fittest City on its Fit Cities Index • Trust for Public Land ParkScore: No. 13 Best Park Systems in the US • Walk Score: No. 15 Most Bikeable City in the U.S. • WalletHub: No. 13 Most Diverse City in America • WalletHub: No. 16 (2015) and No. 21 (2016) Hardest Working Cities in America • WalletHub: No. 18 Best Cities to Start a Career • WalletHub: No. 29 City with the Most Diversified Economies • WalletHub: No. 31 Best Cities for 4th of July Celebrations • U.S. News and World Report Best Children’s Hospital List (2015-16): Children’s Hospital Colorado No. 5 on the best children’s hospital honor roll, with nine nationally ranked pediatric specialties • U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals List (2015-16): University of Colorado Hospital No. 1 best hospital in the state and the Denver metro area, with 11 nationally ranked specialties • U.S. News and World Report Best Hospitals List (2015-16): The Medical Center of Aurora rated high performing in one adult procedure/condition (heart failure) • Milagros Barsallo, co-founder of Aurora-based nonprofit organization RISE Colorado, was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list

18 DISCOVER: Quality education Residents have access to great schools in Aurora. A little over 50 years ago in Aurora, there was only one school district educating our little ones, and you had to leave the city to get any sort of degree. Today, our children attend schools within four school districts. Our adults can pursue an advanced education at more than a dozen colleges. And Aurora is the only place in Colorado where you can earn a medical degree.

• University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus: The single largest 27J educational institution in Colorado graduating future healthcare professionals (Its programs rank PENA BLVD. among the nation's best, according to

I-70 U.S. News & World Report.) 29J • The Colorado Film School at Community College of Aurora’s E. COLFAX AVE. I-70 Lowry campus: Among the top 25

AIRPORT BLVD. AIRPORT U.S. film schools (The Hollywood Reporter) E. ALAMEDA AVE. 28J • American Sentinel University: I-225 No. 98 best online graduate nursing

S. HAVANA ST. HAVANA S. program (U.S. News & World Report) E. ILIFF AVE. PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS • Grandview High School No. 18

E-470 SERVING AURORA STUDENTS (U.S. News & World Report) and S. CHAMBERS RD. S. Adams-Arapahoe 28J No. 19 among Colorado high schools

BUCKLEY RD. E. QUINCY AVE. (Aurora Public Schools) (ColoradoSchoolGrades.com);

Cherry Creek 5J Aurora Quest K-8 (Tied for No. 1) SMOKY HILL RD. among Colorado elementary schools PARKER RD. Douglas County RE1 (ColoradoSchoolGrades.com); Aurora 5J Bennett 29J Frontier K-8 (No. 23) ARAPAHOE RD. (Undeveloped land) and Murphy Creek K-8 (No. 27) Brighton 27J among Colorado middle schools COUNTY LINE RD. Unincorporated county or (ColoradoSchoolGrades.com) other municipality E-470 RE1

Connect with us This publication was produced by the city of Aurora Communications Department.

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