Aurora voters turn down all three Build Up Aurora bond measures

Aurora residents voted to reject all three measures in the Build Up Aurora bond package on election night. The defeat halts funding for planned improvements to public safety facilities, community spaces, and city infrastructure.

Measure 3B, which would have improved police and fire stations, received the strongest opposition. More than 60% of voters cast a no vote on that specific measure. The other two measures in the package also failed to secure the majority approval needed to pass.

Curtis Gardner, an Aurora city councilmember at large, expressed disappointment with the outcome. He noted that a large portion of the projects identified in the Build Up Aurora plan are estimated to cost more than $65,000. Gardner stated that many of these items will not happen for several years if at all.

Community organizer Caitlin Trent said the ballot language influenced some voters. She argued that Measure 3B could have provided the Aurora Police Department with additional funds for mass surveillance technology, such as Flock cameras. Trent believes the higher rejection rate for the safety bond indicates that the community did not fully trust the city to manage that specific funding.

The city currently spends $50,000 annually on bridge maintenance, a figure Gardner described as inadequate for a city of Aurora's size. A city spokesperson told Denver Metro Herald that officials have sought federal grant money to replace the Peoria Street bridge but have not yet secured an award. Construction of that bridge was originally planned to be funded by the rejected bond measures.

With the bond package defeated, projects prioritized through community engagement will return to the city's capital projects planning process. Officials will look for other funding options for items that have been on the city's capital improvement master plan for years. It has been more than 30 years since Aurora voters approved a similar bond package.

Gardner said it could be years before another bond package appears on the ballot. Trent urged the city to improve transparency and work with the community to build support for future funding requests. She acknowledged that many of the proposed projects are likely needed but suggested the city needs to better engage residents in the process.