This Is Aurora City Newsletter
Sept. 15, 2022
Members of the Aurora Mobile Response Team stand beside a van used by the team
First year of Mobile Response Team provided compassionate, critical care to hundreds

This September marks the beginning of the second year of service for the Aurora Mobile Response Team (AMRT), with more than 500 individuals helped during the program's first year. After a six-month pilot period, the Aurora City Council approved additional funding for the program because of its positive effect on the Aurora community.

The program pairs a licensed mental health clinician from Aurora Mental Health Center with a paramedic from Falck Rocky Mountain to provide trauma-informed crisis intervention and de-escalation services on the scene to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis related to mental health, depression, homelessness, poverty and/or substance use. AMRT provides basic first aid, behavioral health assessments, and needs such as food, water, clothing, hygiene products and referrals for local resources.

The service is available only in west Aurora through 2022, with potential expansion pending additional program funding. People who witness a situation related to a behavioral health crisis and are in the service area can call 911 or the non-emergency dispatch line at 303.627.3100 to request AMRT support.

View AuroraTV’s coverage of the AMRT's first year, and visit AuroraGov.org/MobileResponse to learn more.
New Agriculture Festival coming Sept. 24
A young boy pets a sheep
Join the city of Aurora's naturalist team at the Agriculture Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave, for a new and unique event that celebrates food, nature and agriculture. The goal of this event is to connect people to food by learning about where our food comes from and how to support sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices.

Check out a farmer's market, food trucks, interactions with farm animals, wagon rides, tours of the tipi camp and late 1800s style sod homestead village, and more.

Preregistration is encouraged. Purchase tickets at AuroraGov.org/PlainsCenter ($5 per vehicle). For more information, visit AuroraGov.org/Events or call the Plains Conservation Center at 303.326.8380.
City to host two open houses on Parks, Recreation and Open Space planning
Following two months of community input regarding “Our Parks, Our Places: A Plan for Aurora’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space,” the city of Aurora’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department and Sasaki Associates are hosting two public open houses about the project.

Open houses will be hosted from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Central Recreation Center, 18150 E. Vassar Place, and from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at Moorhead Recreation Center, 2390 Havana St. The events will include multiple stations discussing topics such as public feedback received to date, how Aurora’s park system compares with those of other cities, existing environmental conditions and overall access to the system.

Key information will be available in Amharic, English, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish and Vietnamese, and interpretation services will be provided. Child care will be available for children 3 and older. There will also be food trucks on-site and food truck vouchers for participants.

Additionally, residents will be able to share their opinion through a new online survey launching Sept. 20. Comments and questions can be shared any time on the project website, EngageAurora.org/AuroraParks, or by email to PROSMasterPlan@AuroraGov.org.

Sign-up at EngageAurora.org/AuroraParks to stay updated on project news, opportunities to provide input and fun community events happening throughout the summer and fall.
AuroraTV wins 12 national honors

AuroraTV has again been awarded top news series among all local governments across the U.S. Check out some of AuroraTV's award-winning stories from the past year.

Read more
www.auroragov.org
Get involved and have a voice and make a difference by applying to serve on the Immigrant and Refugee Commission to promote the integration of the local immigrant and refugee communities into Aurora's civic and economic and cultural life
IN THE NEWS
Aurora Now
Image of two people enjoying drinks and two people in front of a mural with the words The World in a City and Learn More
Council Member Town Meetings
Council members are eager to hear from residents and committed to forums where those conversations can occur. Please visit AuroraGov.org/Council to confirm meeting dates and location information and to find links for joining virtual meetings. If you don't know your council ward, go to AuroraGov.org and click on "Property Info."
  • Mayor Mike Coffman - Saturday, Oct. 15, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Hoffman Heights Library, 1298 Peoria St.
  • Ward I (Crystal Murillo) - Thursday, Sept. 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave.
  • Ward II (Steve Sundberg) - Thursday, Sept. 15, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Central Recreation Center, 18150 E. Vassar Place (virtual meeting option available)
  • Ward III (Ruben Medina) - Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Aurora Center for Active Adults, 30 Del Mar Circle
  • Ward IV (Juan Marcano) - Thursday, Oct. 13, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Colorado Early Colleges, 1400 S. Abilene St. (virtual meeting option available)
  • Ward V (Alison Coombs) - Tuesday, Oct. 18, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Heather Gardens, 2888 S. Heather Gardens Way (note - the September Ward V Town Meeting has been canceled due to a conflict with council budget presentations)
  • Ward VI (Françoise Bergan) - Wednesday, Nov. 16, 6 to 8 p.m., Tallyn's Reach Library, 23911 E. Arapahoe Road (virtual meeting option available)

City Council Study Session
Monday, Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m.
This will be a virtual meeting. View online at AuroraTV.org or on cable channels 8 and 880. Visit AuroraGov.org/CouncilMeetings for the agenda.  

City Council Budget Presentations
Tuesday, Sept. 20, 5 p.m.
This will be a virtual meeting. View online at AuroraTV.org or on cable channels 8 and 880. Visit AuroraGov.org/CouncilMeetings for the agenda.  

Park Lights & Movie Nights 2022
Sept. 15, 16, 22, 23 and 24
Enjoy a family friendly movie at different parks across the city. Movies start at sunset each night. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and treats to enjoy a fun movie under the stars. Killer Kettle Corn will also be available for sale on-site for those who need a movie-time snack.
More information and locations: AuroraGov.org/Events

Aurora Fox Annual Gala
Saturday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m.
The Aurora Fox is celebrating its first in-person Annual Gala since 2019. The “Speakeasy” themed evening is headlined by Black Iris Collective and features a delicious dinner and silent auction items.
Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club, 23155 E. Heritage Parkway
More information and tickets: AuroraFoxArtsCenter.org

Agriculture Festival
Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join the city of Aurora and Denver Botanic Gardens to learn about where your food comes from and how you can support healthy environments with regenerative agriculture. Enjoy wagon rides, 1880s homestead and tipi camp tours, farm animal interactions, a farmer's market, food trucks, sustainable eating education and more. $5 per vehicle.
Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave.
Tickets and more information: AuroraGov.org/Events

Cyanotype (Solar Print) Workshop
Saturday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m. to noon
Join Aurora-based artist Christine Nguyen for a free cyanotype workshop to create a collaborative solar print mural. This event is open to all ages.
The mural will be part of a community-generated exhibit on display at Martin Luther King Jr. Library.
Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave.

Survey on Havana Street/11th Avenue/Del Mar Parkway improvements
Open through Sept. 30
The city of Aurora has developed a concept design for several improvements at the Havana Street/Del Mar Parkway/11th Avenue intersection. An online survey is collecting public feedback on the plans.

COVID-19 Testing Site
Open through Sept. 30, daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free testing for COVID-19 is provided to anyone who wants to be tested, especially those with symptoms. No appointment is necessary. No doctor referral, no health insurance, and no proof of identification are required. Online registration in advance is preferred but is not required.
Aurora Center for Active Adults parking lot, 30 Del Mar Circle, at Del Mar Park

Fall Into Fun
Saturday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Get ready for pumpkin spice and everything nice. Enjoy energetic live performances, delicious food trucks, unique vendors, fall-themed activities perfect for the family and a GOURDgeous pumpkin patch. Kids’ activities will include inflatables, caricature artists, balloon twisting, face painting and more!
Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

Survey on Gartrell Road/E-470 interchange expansion project
Open through Oct. 3
The city is in the process of designing improvements at the Gartrell Road and E-470 interchange. Take a few minutes to complete a short survey and let us know how we can improve mobility through this intersection for all types of users.

“AMERICA” Art Exhibit
Through Oct. 30
The Aurora History Museum is proud to host "AMERICA," an original art show highlighting artists from North, Central and South America, in a freely themed show representing America. This exhibit is presented by the local art collective Tonos Latinos, a network of Latino American artists offering multi-cultural artistic events that bring together visual arts, music, poetry, dance, written word and crafts.
Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway
More information: AuroraMuseum.org

Mosaic of Cultures: Aurora's Mexican Community
Through April 16, 2023
The Aurora History Museum and the city of Aurora Office of International and Immigrant Affairs celebrate Aurora’s Mexican population with a new exhibition. The exhibit showcases vibrant aspects of great cultural and traditional significance to Aurora's Mexican community, such as popular music, art, dance, clothing, popular food and religion. Free admission. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday.
Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway
More information: AuroraMuseum.org
Have a comment, question, or need our assistance? Contact Access Aurora online, at 303.739.7000, or via iOS or Android app.

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This newsletter is produced by the city of Aurora Communications and Marketing Department

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