Aurora City Council Meeting - October 12, 2026

The Aurora City Council held a regular meeting on October 12, 2026, beginning at approximately 6:00 PM. The meeting included approval of previous minutes, councilmember reports, public testimony, and action on two ordinances. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comment regarding police accountability and proposed data center development.

Consent Calendar

• Approved meeting minutes from September 14 and September 28, 2026, unanimously.
• Adopted the agenda for the meeting unanimously.

Councilmember Reports

• Councilmember Andrews read letters from youth requesting extended hours at parks and rec centers and a citywide talent show.
• Councilmember Jackson reported on conversations about Fletcher Plaza, the Aurora Black Forum series, budget workshops, and celebrated Indigenous People's Day. She also asked the city attorney about council's role in commenting on data centers before a vote.
• Councilmember Horton announced a listening session for Fletcher Plaza and a Ward 1 Town Hall.
• Councilmember Wiles noted Indigenous People's Day, thanked attendees, and announced a data center town hall on November 2nd.
• Councilmember Medina reported on school visits and an upcoming town hall.
• Councilmember Hancock read a letter from a Gateway High School student requesting support for an urban farm, and reported on other community events.
• Councilmember Lawson announced town halls about fire rescue and ADA updates.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Numerous members of the public spoke during two public comment periods. The first period was limited to one hour, causing many speakers to be moved to the second period, which the council voted to make unlimited.
• Many speakers demanded the firing of Police Chief Todd Chamberlain, citing a pattern of lying and excessive force, and referred to several individuals killed by Aurora police (e.g., Kylan Lewis, Corey Dillard). Some speakers noted that protests have been ongoing for nearly three years.
• Several speakers opposed the Trident Vantage Data Center proposed near residential neighborhoods in Green Valley Ranch and the Reserve, citing concerns about noise, air and water pollution, property values, and lack of community notification. Speakers questioned the rezoning process and called for a moratorium on data centers. One speaker mentioned a poll showing 77% of Coloradans and 82% of Coloradans oppose data centers in their city/town.
• A nine-year-old resident, Marcus, spoke against the data center. Other speakers also addressed flock safety cameras, police accountability, and city finances.
• Hashim Coates spoke on multiple agenda items, supporting the zoning change but calling for stronger action, and also addressed police accountability and data centers.

Discussion Items

• Item 13A: Ordinance amending section 146-3.2 of the Unified Development Ordinance to remove data centers as a permitted use in the Mixed-Use Office-Institutional (MUOI) zone. Staff presented the background, noting council direction from August 24, 2026, a unanimous Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation on September 23, 2026, and that the change applies citywide. Public hearing included several speakers in support but urging a broader moratorium. Council voted unanimously to approve.
• Item 13B: Ordinance designating Bethlehem Church (built 1963, addition 1976) as a local historic landmark. Staff presented three criteria met. Public hearing included one speaker in support who also urged the church to serve the community in line with social justice values. Council voted unanimously to approve.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimously approved Item 13A (data center zoning change).
• Unanimously approved Item 13B (Bethlehem Church historic landmark).
• Unanimously approved a motion to suspend rules to make the second public comment period unlimited in duration, allowing all remaining registered speakers to be heard.