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Aurora council advances Colfax downtown development authority referral to November ballot
Summary
Aurora City Council members on July 14 agreed without objection to move an ordinance forward that would place two questions on the November ballot asking qualified electors within a proposed downtown development authority whether to form the DDA and whether to allow tax‑increment financing in the Colfax core.
Aurora City Council members on July 14 agreed without objection to move an ordinance forward that would place two questions on the November ballot asking qualified electors within a proposed downtown development authority whether to form the DDA and whether to allow tax‑increment financing in the Colfax core. Council Member Wagner introduced the presentation and consultant Brad Siegel and project manager Naomi Lacewell briefed council on the draft plan and outreach to date.
Why it matters: If voters in the DDA boundary approve both questions, a governing board appointed by the council would be formed to invest captured future tax revenue — tax increment financing — in corridor improvements the plan identifies as priorities over a 10‑ to 20‑year horizon, including public safety and security, small‑business support, housing stability, cleaning and maintenance, arts and cultural activation, and public‑space upgrades.
Presentation and scope: Naomi Lacewell summarized a multi‑phase outreach effort that generated more than 1,200 direct inputs and a project webpage with over 2,400 visits. The draft plan of development, a legally required document for forming a DDA, outlines six goal areas and a menu of short‑ and long‑term strategies. Lacewell emphasized the DDA’s focus is the Colfax commercial core and that a complementary community development corporation, or CDC, could pursue real‑estate and philanthropic strategies beyond the DDA’s legal boundaries.
Key mechanics and numbers: Brad Siegel said the DDA would not create a new tax; tax increment financing captures future increases in property and sales tax revenue within the district and reinvests them in projects. Staff estimated roughly 2,500 eligible electors — residents, property owners or leaseholders registered to vote in Colorado — would be able to vote on the DDA questions. If the DDA is approved, state statute requires a governing board of five to 11 members composed of residents, businesspeople or property owners within the DDA, and one board seat must be a city council member; council appoints the board.
Questions from council: Council Member Hancock asked how a proposed CDC would be funded; Siegel and Lacewell said CDCs are typically funded through philanthropy, grants, sponsorships and self‑sustaining real‑estate activities rather than taxes. Council Member Haggard asked whether the CDC would prioritize homeownership and low‑income housing; Lacewell said the CDC is envisioned to support a mix of housing types with an emphasis on ownership opportunities and property ownership for businesses. Several council members asked how electors would be notified; staff said resident voters in the boundary would automatically receive ballots and property/ business electors would register forms to vote for their entity.
Next steps and timeline: With council’s agreement to move item 5a forward, staff will conduct courtesy briefings with affected taxing authorities, continue community education and outreach to electors, refine the plan of development, and, if voters approve the DDA questions in November, council would appoint a governing board and the DDA could begin operations in mid‑2026.
Ending: The council moved the DDA referral forward without objection; further technical briefings and outreach were expected as the city prepares for the November election.
