Aurora City Council Meeting – March 10, 2026

The Aurora City Council held a regular meeting on March 10, 2026 (called to order on the evening of Monday, March 9, 2026, local time). The council adopted the agenda and consent calendars, held public hearings, approved an urban renewal plan, and made appointments to the Civil Service Commission and municipal court. A large portion of the meeting featured public comment, with many speakers demanding the removal of Police Chief Todd Chamberlain and criticizing the new APD Community Response Team.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted the agenda unanimously.
• Approved the consent calendar for motions (items 10a1–10c2) unanimously.
• Approved the consent calendar for resolutions and ordinances (items 11a1–11a7 and 11b1–11b2) unanimously, with item 11a8 pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ryan Stitzel (Ward 1, Denver Aurora Community Action Committee) called for firing Police Chief Todd Chamberlain, described the APD Community Response Team as a secretive and insulting scheme, and demanded full community control over police.
• Della Jordan (senior and disabled) said she was assaulted at the Aurora Regional Navigation Center after requesting help from the city and APD; she asked for a meeting with the owner and staff, and asserted she did not sign away her civil rights.
• Cassandra Hill (DACAC) demanded Chamberlain's removal and called the Community Response Team "propaganda" and "controlled opposition," noting the department is under a consent decree and that even council members were kept in the dark.
• Ayante Anderson (DACAC) spoke on International Women's Day about mothers whose sons were killed by APD, criticized council members who accept police union donations, and called for justice.
• Medine Schaffner argued that the city's settlement over public-comment restrictions demonstrated a First Amendment violation, and warned that further suppression of speech would lead to more lawsuits.
• Kayoa Lewis made spiritual remarks and warned of coming consequences, saying only "one percent" of the council is safe.
• Laura McLaughlin recounted the police killings of Jordan Richardson, Kylan Lewis, Cory Dealard, and others, and said these deaths were "called justified."
• K Dot displayed a photo of Officer Mike Deak, identified him as Kylan Lewis's killer, and demanded his firing.
• Francisco Soto complained about a poorly publicized city meeting on drones and Flock cameras, lack of transparency, and problems with 311 service.
• Tanya Tabachek criticized the closed-door nature of Chief Chamberlain's Community Response Team and asked for its membership and purpose to be made public; she also requested that phone-in public comment be restored.
• In a second public comment period, Tanya Tabachek again asked for remote participation, Medine Schaffner read a statement from Kylan Lewis's mother La Ronda Jones expressing grief, and Ellen Wu discussed systemic barriers and the need for community voices in decision-making.

Discussion Items

Item 11a8: Annual Reporting on Tobacco and Hemp Retail Licensing

• Councilmember Gardner introduced Resolution 2026-20, which directs the city manager to annually report on the enforcement and effectiveness of the tobacco and age-restricted hemp retail licensing ordinance.
• Staff member Trevor stated that enforcement data would be available after program implementation, but youth trend data from surveys could take 2–4 years to show results.
• Councilmember Medina made a substitute motion to continue the item to the March 23 council meeting for more stakeholder input. The substitute motion passed 9–2 (Gardner and Lawson opposed), and the motion to continue passed 10–1 (Gardner opposed).

Item 12A: 13th Avenue Station Urban Renewal Plan

• Public hearing held; no speakers.
• Staff explained that the plan would facilitate residential development on vacant land around the R-line station and create two tax increment financing (TIF) areas to fund a bridge over Tollgate Creek. The TIF would capture 100% of city taxes, 100% of Mile High Flood District property tax, 70% of Aurora Public Schools property tax, and 65% of Arapahoe County property tax.
• Councilmember Bergen asked about the bridge cost; staff said the original estimate was $8 million and likely to increase.
• Motion to adopt passed unanimously.

Item 14A: Zoning Map Amendment

• Second reading of an ordinance to rezone approximately 3.91 acres at East Jewel Avenue and South Joliet Street to medium-density residential.
• Motion passed 9–1, with Councilmember Hancock the sole no vote.

Item 17A: Civil Service Commission Appointment

• Councilmember Bergen moved to appoint Josh Riddell, praising his interview and objectivity; Councilmember Hancock concurred.
• Councilmember Lawson asked about the process for removing a current commissioner to make room for additional appointments; the city attorney explained the removal process and said it could be placed on a future agenda.
• Motion passed 9–2, with Councilmembers Andrews and Horton opposed.

Item 17B: Municipal Court Judge Appointments

• Associate judge: Mayor Pro Tem moved to appoint Ari Kritchever; Mayor Kaufman's substitute motion to appoint Troy Moyer failed 5–6. The original motion passed 10–1, with Councilmember Hancock opposed.
• Relief judges: Motion by Councilmember Bergen to appoint Alison Foley, Eric Hutchins, Troy Johnson, Zachary Phillips, and Jennifer Torrington passed unanimously. Chief Judge Day explained that five additional relief judges are needed to cover the traffic division and other assignments, and that the interview committee unanimously recommended all five.

Council and Staff Reports

• Councilmembers announced upcoming town halls, community meetings, and events, including the next at-large town hall on May 5, a rules committee meeting on March 24, and various ward town halls in March.
• Councilmember Horton noted a postponed animal welfare town hall and a March 21 follow-up on a community development corporation.
• Councilmember Wiles celebrated becoming an honorary commander at Buckley Space Force Base and honored International Women's Day.
• Councilmember Lawson announced two town halls, and Councilmember Hancock announced a March 12 town hall at noon.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda and consent calendars approved unanimously.
• Resolution 2026-20 continued to the March 23, 2026 council meeting.
• 13th Avenue Station Urban Renewal Plan and TIF areas approved unanimously.
• Zoning map amendment approved 9–1.
• Josh Riddell appointed to the Civil Service Commission (9–2).
• Ari Kritchever appointed associate municipal judge (10–1).
• Five relief judges appointed unanimously.
• Next regular council meeting scheduled for March 23, 2026.