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Build Up Aurora

Build Up Aurora - Care for what we have, provide for what we need

The stages of Build Up Aurora

Background  |  Infrastructure Task Force  |  Build Up Aurora Process  |  Results  |  Recommendations  |  Timeline  |  Infrastructure Task Force Mid-Term and Long-Term Recommendations


Background

Safe, adequate and well-maintained infrastructure is essential to the city’s economic health and impacts every resident’s quality of life. With a proven track record of fiscal responsibility and good stewardship of taxpayer dollars, the city of Aurora manages more than $1.3 billion in public funds annually and is committed to allocating the city budget based on the priorities of its residents. To evaluate the city's infrastructure needs and enhance capital and financial planning, the city underwent a master planning effort to feed into the Build Up Aurora initiative to Care for What We Have, and Provide for What We Need. The various master plans informed the city's 10-year capital master plan, which identifies $2.08 billion in priority infrastructure needs, exceeding what the city can afford to complete in its annual budget.

Chart showing master plans for public safety, Connecting Aurora transportation, PROS, Library Facilities, Cultural Services Facilities and ADA Transition Plan feeding into Build Up Aurora


Infrastructure Task Force

Some members of the Infrastructure Task Force hold a Build Up Aurora sign at a recent meeting

In July 2024, the Aurora City Council unanimously approved the creation of an Infrastructure Task Force to look at solutions for projects ranging from public safety and transportation to parks, libraries, recreation and accessibility, and to seek community input and support. Members were selected to represent a cross-section of the community and to provide diverse perspectives and input. 

Infrastructure Task Force Members

  • Council Member Curtis Gardner, co-chair
  • Council Member Françoise Bergan, co-chair
  • Ray Barnes, former Aurora Fire Rescue Chief
  • Joel Boyd, Town Center at Aurora
  • Steve Coffin, Steve Coffin Strategies
  • Naomi Colwell, Aurora Chamber of Commerce
  • Rita Connerly, Fairfield and Wood, P.C.
  • Bruce Dalton, Visit Aurora
  • Ryan Frazier, Frazier Global
  • Jeff Knight, Hispanic Contractors of Colorado (HCC) / JKS Industries
  • Wendy Mitchell, Aurora Economic Development Council
  • Jason Wardrip, Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council

The task force was charged with developing short-term, mid-term and long-term phased strategic plans to support city capital improvement needs, establishing criteria for prioritizing city infrastructure needs, fostering effective communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, engaging with Aurora residents to understand their infrastructure needs, preferences and concerns, and reviewing funding options.


Build Up Aurora process

The Infrastructure Task Force's effort included two years of public and stakeholder engagement to understand community priorities. In 2025, residents provided an extensive amount of feedback regarding the types of infrastructure projects that matter most to residents, using online and printed surveys, in-person events, facilitated discussions and education campaigns. In February 2026, the task force hosted a series of Ranking Roundups to engage residents in prioritizing our project lists. Detailed information on the outreach efforts, the community feedback and the Ranking Roundups can be found at EngageAurora.org/BuildUpAurora.

Engagement 
3,161 surveys
54 events
5,849 ideas
96 social posts
21,400 web visits
22 discussions

 

The task force's work also included a review of existing funding sources to understand capital to fund priority capital needs and a citywide technical project evaluation related to scope, schedule and budget.

Information was shared publicly throughout each stage of the process at EngageAurora.org/BuildUpAurora.


Results

City staff analyzed the public feedback across the engagement process and identified key focus areas and themes expressed by Aurora residents, businesses and visitors.

Top focus areas

Transportation
Libraries, Arts and Culture
Parks and Recreation
Public Safety
Other City Facilities

Top themes

Infrastructure Updates
Citywide Benefit
Accessibility
Public Access to Services
Arts and Culture
Safety

Further, the Ranking Roundups asked the public to identify their top projects across the focus areas, and 95% of public engagement participants felt the project priorities presently reflect the community's needs.

Prioritization Framework

Taking into account community feedback, capital projects identified for the 10-year master plan were prioritized to ensure capital resources are invested responsibility.

Projects identified as highest priority deliver the greatest public benefit, are ready to move forward, address the most critical needs and plan thoughtfully for future city needs.


Recommendations

11/3
Date of 2026 municipal election
0.325%
Proposed increase in city sales tax rate to fund key projects
65
Number of distinct projects across the city identified for the bond program

The Build Up Aurora Infrastructure Task Force unanimously made two recommendations to the Aurora City Council:

  • Prioritization of the 10-year Capital Improvement Master Plan to fund high-impact, ready and critical needs first, while planning future capital investments
  • Referral of three ballot questions to the November 2026 ballot, which seeks authorization for the city to increase the sales and use tax rates and issue bonds in the amounts as follows:
Ballot Question/Purpose

Est. Par Amount
(Principal)

Total Repayment Cost
(Principal + Interest)*

Sales and Use Tax Rate
Transportation Infrastructure $107,475,000 $209,733,000 0.132% (1.3 cents/$10)
Public Safety $52,065,000 $101,600,000 0.064% (0.6 cents/$10)
Community Facilities $104,975,000 $204,870,000 0.129% (1.3 cents/$10)

The findings of the task force and these recommendations were initially presented to the Aurora City Council at the May 9, 2026, council spring workshop where the council agreed to move the recommendations forward for consideration at the May 18 study session, with a first reading at the June 8 regular meeting and a final reading at the June 22 regular meeting.

Here is a breakdown of the projects included in each ballot question:

Transportation Infrastructure projects

Click on each project tile for more details

View a PDF map of Build Up Aurora Transportation Infrastructure project locations

Public Safety projects

Click on each project tile for more details

View a PDF map of Build Up Aurora Public Safety project locations

Community Facilities projects

Click on each project tile for more details

View a PDF map of Build Up Aurora Community Facilities project locations

View a PDF map of all Build Up Aurora project locations


Timeline

2023

Aurora launches first phase of Build Up Aurora – residential street rehabilitation funded by certificates of participation

July 2024

Aurora City Council forms Infrastructure Task Force to develop a plan for allocating resources to support infrastructure needs

Jan. 14, 2025

Infrastructure Task Force kicks off its work, beginning a series of meetings to understand, evaluate and prioritize infrastructure needs

April 2025

Period of robust public outreach begins, continuing through September 2025 and providing the task force with data and direction

February 2026

Seven Ranking Roundup meetings and online surveys give residents voice in project prioritization

April 26, 2026

Infrastructure Task Force gives unanimous approval to short-, mid- and long-term recommendations

May 9, 2026

Aurora City Council expresses support for Build Up Aurora recommendations at Spring Workshop

June 2026

Aurora City Council to vote on ballot referral

Nov. 3, 2026

Municipal election

 


Infrastructure Task Force Mid-Term and Long-Term Recommendations

In addition to recommending projects for the November 2026 ballot, the Infrastructure Task Force provided City Council with mid-term and long-term recommendations to address ongoing and new capital needs that will help drive future discussions and plans.

Mid-term recommendations

  • Maintain flexibility in city financial plan to program additional revenues in the future to allow for a potential new authorization of bonds without a new tax increase.
  • Continue to:
    • Engage the community to understand priority capital project needs.
    • Leverage existing and new capital funding sources (grants/partnerships) to address project needs in the city’s capital plan.
    • Program surplus “pay-as-you-go” funding for capital improvements and repair.
    • Invest “pay-as-you-go” funding in the development of projects not ready for construction.
    • Balance operating costs.

Long-term recommendations

  • Continue to seek voter authorization for bonds to fund major replacements, renovations, and new infrastructure to address service level needs. 
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