Council approves dedicating 1% marijuana sales tax to Aurora Save gun-violence intervention program (8–1)

Aurora City Council voted 8–1 on Nov. 3, 2025, to introduce and adopt ordinance 2025-102, which continues dedicating 1% of marijuana sales tax revenue to the Aurora Save program, the city’s gun-violence intervention initiative.

Jessica Prosser, director of Housing and Community Services, told the council the ordinance continues the dedicated revenue stream to fund Aurora Save, which focuses on gun-violence intervention. "This ordinance continues the 1% marijuana sales tax dedicated to youth violence, funding our Aurora Save program, focused on gun violence intervention," Prosser said.

Council members expressed general support for the program’s effectiveness but debated whether marijuana sales tax is the appropriate long-term funding source. Council Member Lawson and others emphasized the program’s positive outcomes and the need for stable funding. "I think this program has been a very, very instrumental program... I really hope that my colleagues will support it," Lawson said.

Council Member Garger said she supported the program but questioned singling out one business sector for the revenue stream and suggested exploring general fund alternatives. Prosser responded that the program pivoted toward intervention after council direction and uses a combination of detection and outreach tools to identify youth at risk, including social network analysis and coordination with detectives and analysts.

After discussion, Council Member Lawson moved to adopt item 12a and Council Member Cherinsky seconded; the motion passed with eight yes votes and a single no vote from Council Member Gardner. The ordinance will continue the dedicated 1% allocation and includes a clause allowing council to revisit or modify funding based on program measurements.