Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Aurora

Aurora officials weigh options to plug $11.5M budget shortfall
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Aurora officials weigh options to plug $11.5M budget shortfall

By Kyla Pearce  | The Denver Gazette Raising taxes, "de-Brucing" and eliminating tax exemptions are all on a list of options Aurora officials are considering to fill an $11.5 million gap in the estimated 2026 budget.  City councilmembers and finance officials discussed the 2026 budget in a recent workshop, going back and forth about how to make up the shortfall. The budget gap, they said, is the result of low sales taxes, inflation, new expenses and the elimination of the operational privilege tax. Aurora finance officials proposed multiple ways to increase revenue to councilmembers, saying the city is not keeping up with population growth when it comes to services already. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Aurora passes ordinance that removes warning time before homeless camp sweeps
Approved, coloradopolitics.com, Local

Aurora passes ordinance that removes warning time before homeless camp sweeps

By Kyla Pearce | Colorado Politics, via The Denver Gazette Aurora lawmakers officially passed an ordinance in a final vote Monday night that gets rid of requirements to provide shelter options and 72-hour notice before sweeping homeless encampments. The ordinance, which was passed in an initial vote at the last council meeting and in a final vote Monday night, prevailed with three 'no' votes from councilmembers Alison Coombs, Ruben Medina and Crystal Murillo. Previously, city code read that "no city employee authorized to issue a citation shall issue a citation, make an arrest, or otherwise enforce this section against a person camping on public property unless the city has a shelter option available for the person ordered to move from the camp and the person has been offered plac...
Aurora follows Jurinsky plan to change public comment rules, creates separate speaking session
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Aurora follows Jurinsky plan to change public comment rules, creates separate speaking session

By Kyla Pearce | The Denver Gazette Aurora councilmembers approved a resolution Monday night that changes the rules of public comment, adding a separate speaking session before meetings that will not be livestreamed.  The resolution, sponsored by Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky, passed with seven 'yes' votes and three 'no' votes from councilmembers Crystal Murillo, Alison Coombs and Ruben Medina. The proposed resolution comes after months of back-and-forth between councilmembers and protesters for Kilyn Lewis, who have attended every meeting since July to request action from the council. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Aurora ICE raid leaker close to being identified, ‘border czar’ Tom Homan says
Approved, Fox News, Local

Aurora ICE raid leaker close to being identified, ‘border czar’ Tom Homan says

By Madison Colombo  | Fox News President Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan says he is closing in on the individual believed to be responsible for leaking details of a major ICE operation in and around Aurora, Colorado, that tipped off violent gang members and derailed planned arrests. "We think it’s coming from inside. And we know the first leak in Aurora is under current investigation. We think we’ve identified that person," Homan said on "Hannity," Monday. The leaked information reportedly allowed members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TDA) to evade capture last week as federal agents were met with mostly empty apartments and buildings. In the end, about 30 people were taken into custody. READ THE FULL STORY ON FOX NEWS
Employees in Aurora could be asked to return to in-person work 3 days a week — but they don’t have to
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Employees in Aurora could be asked to return to in-person work 3 days a week — but they don’t have to

By Tori Mason | CBS Colorado The Aurora City Council is moving forward with a resolution that could bring city employees back to the office three days per week. Some council members say the resolution aims to bring back a sense of normalcy after the pandemic and foster community in the workplace. While not a mandate, they hope staff will begin to utilize the city's facilities more regularly. According to the resolution, the city says in-person work fosters collaboration, reduces isolation, and creates healthier boundaries between work and personal life. It also says operating empty city buildings wastes taxpayer dollars on utilities that could be better spent on community needs. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Aurora police say teen faked attempted robbery, shot himself
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Aurora police say teen faked attempted robbery, shot himself

By Christa Swanson | CBS Colorado Aurora police provided an update on a shooting in Montview Park, stating the teenager involved shot himself in the hand. Initially, the 15-year-old reported to police that he was inside the park around 11:30 p.m. Saturday when he was approached by two unknown men. He said the men reportedly tried to rob him at gunpoint and shot him in the hand when he tried to fight back. He was driven to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening wounds. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Aurora firefighters return from Los Angeles with lessons, suggestions on fire safety
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Aurora firefighters return from Los Angeles with lessons, suggestions on fire safety

By Michael Abeyta | CBS Colorado The brush crew from Aurora Fire Rescue that went and helped in the Los Angeles firefighting efforts said Coloradans need to be prepared for a wildland fire at any time of year. The last time we saw Captain Jeremy Sones and the Aurora Fire Rescue Brush 13 crew they were on their way to fight the massive wildfires that were burning in LA. "We got back last Monday evening. What are we looking at? 17 days," said Sones. He said fighting the Palisades Fire was a life changing experience. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
Aurora police seek community help with funds for K-9 bullet-resistant vests
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

Aurora police seek community help with funds for K-9 bullet-resistant vests

By Greg Nieto | KDVR-TV Fox 31 News The Aurora Police Department is asking the community for help raising money for K-9 bullet-resistant vests. The agency is partnering with 30×30 Fundraising, an online nonprofit aimed at stemming the flood of requests for K-9 vests. That’s because each vest costs about $3,500 — other matters needing funds get higher priority. “They’re bullet-proof, stab-proof, shrapnel-proof,” said officer and K-9 handler Robert Wong. READ THE FULL STORY AT KDVR-TV FOX 31 NEWS
Top Aurora police crime analyst faces nine counts of official misconduct: ‘I shouldn’t have done it’
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Top Aurora police crime analyst faces nine counts of official misconduct: ‘I shouldn’t have done it’

By Brian Maass | CBS Colorado The Aurora Police Department's top crime analyst, Frank Fredericks, 60, was charged this week with nine counts of official misconduct. In a phone call Wednesday evening, Fredericks admitted he used department computers for non-law enforcement purposes. "I ran a query on my husband to obtain a VIN on a vehicle that is in his name. Is it wrong, yes," said Fredericks. "I shouldn't have done it." Court records show the nine charges were filed Monday and stem from incidents between March 22, 2023, and April 29, 2024. Fredericks resigned from the Aurora Police Department June 17, 2024, after about 18 months on the job. He said he resigned due to a difference of opinion with APD command staff over an internal reorganization. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS ...
ACLU lawsuit claims Aurora landlords violated law in threatening to report tenants to ICE
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

ACLU lawsuit claims Aurora landlords violated law in threatening to report tenants to ICE

By Austen Erblat | CBS Colorado The ACLU of Colorado has filed a lawsuit against a pair of Aurora landlords who the civil rights group accuses of threatening tenants, in violation of state law.  An ACLU spokesman says the threats violate Colorado's Immigrant Tenant Protection Act and filed a civil suit in Arapahoe County District Court on Monday. According to the suit, Avi Schwalb and Nancy Dominguez of PHS Rent LLC threatened to report two tenants and their children, aged 15 and 3, to ICE. Reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, Dominguez declined to comment. The ACLU says the couple, who are not identified in the lawsuit, have pending asylum cases with the U.S. READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO