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Aurora council adopts 72‑hour notice and outreach requirement before clearing homeless camps in 6–4 vote
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Summary
After heated public comment and council debate, the Aurora City Council adopted resolution R2026‑22 requiring at least 72 hours’ notice and coordinated outreach before abating unauthorized camps, with exceptions for imminent public-safety risks and certain roadway or CDOT properties.
Aurora City Council voted 6–4 to adopt resolution R2026‑22, which requires the homelessness division to provide no less than 72 hours’ notice and coordinated outreach before abating unauthorized encampments, except in narrowly defined imminent public‑health or safety situations and on CDOT or other intergovernmental‑agreement property.
The resolution formalizes the city’s current practice, staff said. “This resolution includes giving no less than 72 hours notice prior to abating an unauthorized camp that allows for the coordination with Keeson as well as giving those that are experiencing homelessness and our homelessness team time to go out to the abatement sites to offer transportation to the Aurora Regional Navigation Campus,” Stephanie Kuiper, the city’s manager of homelessness, told the council.
Supporters — including residents and homelessness advocates — said the notice requirement protects dignity and creates time for voluntary moves into services. “Three days to repair empowers people experiencing homelessness to take some modicum of control over their own destiny,” said Ally Duwels Marcano, a public commenter who urged the council to couple the change with expanded housing‑first investments.
Opponents, including several council members and some residents, warned the minimum notice could weaken enforcement and create a “whack‑a‑mole” effect in which encampments shift locations rather than being cleared. “I honestly think this neuters the enforcement,” Council member Bergen said during debate, arguing the council had previously abated sites faster than 72 hours in many cases.
Staff explained why the change was proposed: abatement operations require coordination with the city’s contractor, Keeson, and certain site logistics (for example, 4x4 access or special equipment), which often take days to schedule. The resolution also allows the manager of homelessness to postpone abatements during adverse weather to protect staff and people experiencing homelessness.
Council approved the resolution with six votes in favor and four opposed (Council members Bergen, Gardner, Hancock and Lawson voted no). The motion was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Tim Coombs and seconded by Council member Horton.
Next steps: the homelessness division will implement the revised notice protocol and continue coordinating with outreach teams and Keeson; the resolution preserves immediate abatement authority where the ordinance already defines imminent public‑safety exceptions.
