By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice
Danielle Jurinsky had been an entrepreneur and business owner, military veteran and single mom, and then, four years ago, added policymaker to the list.
She announced Tuesday her intention to seek a second, four-year term to an Aurora City Council at-large seat. The City Council includes 11 members in three wards and at-large seats. Election Day is Nov. 4, 2025. More detail is available through the City of Aurora’s website.
“Coming through the pandemic as a restaurant owner, my business and many others like mine faced government overreach and increasing costs that threatened to shut us down,” Jurinsky said.
It inspired her run for City Council in support of other business owners, who were confronted by local and state governments forcing their closures.
“I wanted to make a difference and be a voice for these families, which is why I jumped into the race and why I want to continue to serve and fight for Aurora residents and businesses,” Jurinsky said.
Her first term in office has included efforts to allow businesses to recover from COVID-era policies, a press release announcing her candidacy reads. She initiated ending the ‘head tax’ on Aurora businesses and workers and took part in the ‘red tape round-up’ committee, seeking to cut costs and increase voice for Aurora’s small business owners to streamline permitting and improve the business climate, it continues.
Jurinsky spoke with business owners and restaurants, not unlike her own, across the city to seek improvements.
“I learned many of the complaints came from state-level policies, like paid family leave, insurance requirements and unfair minimum wage laws that were forcing businesses to close,” she said, noting these changes caused Aurora and other cities to lose small business inventory and restaurants, “which have hurt those families and robbed these communities of worldwide cultures through their restaurants.”
Jurinsky notes her focus in a second term will include improvements to public safety and rehabilitating homeless through independence.
She rose to prominence, to those outside of Aurora, in 2024 by sharing information from whistleblowers from within the Aurora Police Department concerning Venezuelan gang infiltration of apartment complexes in the city. It was learned they were terrorizing other residents in the apartment complex. Jurinsky heard those residents and helped in various ways.
“Just as their voices were ignored, my voice was ridiculed and dismissed and even claimed it was part of my imagination,” Jurinsky said. “Not one to back down, I dug in to protect the community and the attention just grew from there. While that apartment complex is no longer accessible, I believe our community is safer as more of those gang members have been arrested and know they cannot terrorize our city anymore.”
She adds that safety is important to her and to residents, no matter which area of the city they reside. It is such a commitment that has helped Jurinsky earn the support of the Aurora Police Association.
“Danielle has the knowledge and energy to drive this city back to a safe and prosperous place to live and raise our families,” APA President David Exstrom said. “Her unwavering support for law enforcement in Aurora has been crucial for us to do our jobs, protect the public and rebuild relationships in the Community.”
She is known as a fierce and passionate policymaker, which can occasionally lead to misunderstandings. Such was a case with Councilwoman Francoise Bergan. They haven’t always agreed, but Bergan notes Jurinsky’s value to Aurora.
“She is a tenacious advocate for victims of crime; she has worked to strengthen laws and hold offenders accountable,” Bergan said. “Her heart is Aurora.”
It is an unapologetic voice of support to improve the business climate, public safety, reduce costs and improve the quality of life for all Aurorans, Jurinsky says.