Aurora Reservoir Access Road Study

Update: On June 9, the city hosted a neighborhood listening session, sponsored by Ward VI Council Member Françoise Bergan, to provide additional information on this project, answer questions and listen to feedback.

View the slideshow presentation

View the final alternatives decision matrix handout

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Project moving forward to conceptual design

The city of Aurora conducted a study in 2025 to explore options for improved access to the Aurora Reservoir

The study focused on developing a new access road that accommodates current and future traffic projections while also providing pedestrian and bicycle connections to the reservoir.

The project's goal is to significantly improve the reservoir's infrastructure, support its facilities and operations, and ensure it can handle high traffic volumes during peak times, special events and holidays.

The city reviewed traffic information and developed and evaluated concepts for potential roadway alignments during the study and reached out to the community for input, which included an open house and online survey, on five proposed roadway access options under consideration. We appreciate everyone who provided feedback.

View the meeting display boards.

View the survey results.

In March 2026, the city selected Alternative 5 for consideration to move forward to conceptual design.

This final access road alignment that was selected takes into consideration existing topography, community input, impacts to surrounding neighborhoods and environmental resources to ensure sustainability while remaining cost-effective.

Important facts to know:

• A change to the access road location will only impact traffic to the reservoir. Any traffic going to the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds or Bally's Arapahoe Horse Track will continue to access those facilities via Quincy Avenue.
• The busiest times for middle school traffic are on weekdays from mid-August until Memorial Day weekend while the busiest times for reservoir traffic are on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Any overlap will be minimal.
• Locating the access point as far north on Harvest Road as possible will minimize traffic impacts along Harvest Road because the vast majority of reservoir traffic comes from the north.
• On the busiest days at the reservoir, the current traffic backups on Powhaton Road are about 1 mile long. Alternative 5 is 1.4 miles in length, so the city does not anticipate queuing backups onto Harvest Road.

For detailed responses and additional information, see our new FAQ section on this page.