FAQs

This project builds on the goals captured in previous plans and works with the community to create an action-oriented, strategic implementation plan for the area’s top priorities. Most importantly, this project is creating organizations that will fund and direct the work in the plan.

A project working group was formed to provide creative input from a variety of community perspectives and make recommendations on ideas as they develop. Working Group participants were selected to represent a broad array of local interests and perspectives, including residents, organizational leaders, property owners, and businesses. The Working Group has included the following individuals:

• Council Member Curtis Gardner, Aurora City Council
• Council Member Crystal Murillo, Aurora City Council
• Heather Adams, Vanishing West Ciders
• Mateos Álvarez, We Are Aurora/Somos Aurora
• Sean Buchan, Cerebral Brewing
• Maisha Fields, Dayton Street Opportunity Center
• Le'Toya Garland, School of Breaking
• Katie Goldman, La Victoria Healing Kitchen
• Brendan Greene, East Colfax Community Collective (EC3)
• Hiemi Haines, Property Owner
• Pastor Reid Hettich, Original Aurora Neighbors
• Alli Jackson, Resident
• Caitlin Matthews, Food Justice NW Aurora
• Thoa Nguyen, Bahn and Butter
• Fabian Osorio, Phoenix Auto Detailing
• Josh Pred, Property Owner
• Krista Robinson, formerly of Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA)
• Betty Sanchez, Property Owner
• Morgan Schreiber, Creative Alliance for Downtown Aurora (CADA)
• Esther Turcios, Resident
• Johnny Watson, Aurora Urban Renewal Authority (AURA)

Community input is the foundation for the plan. While engagement on the plan has ended, below are ways community members were involved at all stages of the project:

• Suggesting initial priorities and strategies
• Reviewing and providing feedback on the Draft Plan Framework, full Draft Plan, and final Plan
• Shaping the process – suggesting ways to reach community members and making sure we were communicating clearly
• Voting on the creation of the DDA

Opportunities for involvement included:

• Sharing input at pop-up events, open houses, and roundtables
• Inviting the project team to present and hear feedback at your community event
• Contacting project staff directly with comments or questions
• Attending Working Group open meetings and giving public comment
• Responding to online surveys, interactive mapping exercise, and open-ended questions on this webpage
• Attending and giving comment at City Council public hearings
• Signing up for our email list for project updates

The city of Aurora is leading and funding this project. P.U.M.A., a Denver-based consulting firm, was hired to manage the planning process and potential organizational formation. More on P.U.M.A. can be found at www.pumaworldhq.com. Joining the P.U.M.A. team are Studio Seed for urban design and Spencer Fane to provide legal services to support district creation.

A DDA is a special governmental entity—separate from the City—that helps revitalize downtown areas. DDAs bring funding and organization to efforts like:

• Supporting small businesses
• Beautification and placemaking
• Infrastructure and public improvements
• Marketing, branding, and special events

A DDA is created through two steps:

1. An ordinance passed by the City Council.
2. A vote by eligible electors within the proposed DDA boundary.

On July 28, 2025, the Aurora City Council approved an ordinance placing measures related to an Aurora Downtown Development Authority (DDA) on a Nov. 4, 2025, mail ballot election. On Nov. 4, voters approved creating the DDA.

Colorado law requires every DDA to follow a “Plan of Development.” For East Colfax, this would be the Colfax Community Vision & Action Plan. The plan was created by working with residents, businesses, local organizations, property owners, and the City to capture community goals and priorities.

The draft plan identifies six strategic goal areas the DDA would focus on:

1. Public Safety and Security
2. Business Support and Access to Goods and Services
3. Housing and Neighborhood Stability
4. Cleaning and Maintenance
5. Advancing Arts, Culture, and a Creative Economy
6. Public Space Improvements

The boundary includes Aurora’s historic and commercial core along East Colfax. Properties next to the DDA could opt in in the future.

General boundary:

• North: East 16th Avenue
• South: East 14th Avenue
• West: Yosemite Street
• East: Peoria Street, near the Fitzsimons Urban Renewal Area

State law allows the following to vote:

• Registered Colorado voters who live within the DDA boundary, OR
• Individuals or entities that own or lease real property in the boundary

Eligible voters received a separately mailed ballot for the DDA election – the DDA did not appear in the November general election ballot. Each ballot measure required a simple majority to pass.

The DDA will use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as its main source of funding. As property and sales tax revenue grows in the area, the increase in revenue is captured and reinvested in the DDA boundary. TIF does not increase anyone’s taxes. It simply allows the increase in value to support local improvements.

No. TIF does not raise or impose new taxes on residents, businesses, or property owners. It uses future tax revenue growth to invest in the area.

State law controls how a DDA is governed:

• The mayor will appoint five to 11 board members; these are then approved by City Council
• Board members must live, own property, or operate a business in the DDA
• One seat must be held by a City Council member

DDA Board meetings are open to the public and the DDA must obey open records laws. 

Yes. DDAs exist all over Colorado. Communities that have formed DDAs include:
Loveland, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs, Crested Butte, Denver, Fort Collins, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Longmont, Thornton, Greeley, Englewood, Littleton, and Lafayette.

The Colfax Community Vision & Action Plan outlines six goal areas to guide the DDA’s work.  Each area includes suggested actions that respond directly to community priorities. Each year the DDA board would look to these goals and suggestions as they make their annual work plan and budget. City Council must approve the DDA’s plan and yearly budget. Important: DDAs cannot condemn property or use eminent domain.