Alison Coombs

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Alison Coombs

Nonpartisan

Aurora City Council At-large

Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

1

Prior offices

Aurora City Council Ward V

Predecessor: Bob Roth

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Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 7, 2023

Education

Bachelor's

Metropolitan State University of Denver, 2011

Graduate

Binghamton University, 2013

Personal

Profession

Case manager

Contact

Official website

Campaign website

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Alison Coombs is an at-large member of the Aurora City Council in Colorado. She assumed office on December 4, 2023. Her current term ends in 2027.

Coombs ran for re-election for an at-large seat of the Aurora City Council in Colorado. She won in the general election on November 7, 2023.

Biography

Alison Coombs earned a dual bachelor's degree in Spanish and philosophy from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2011, and a master's degree in ethics and political philosophy from Binghamton University in 2013. Coombs' career experience includes working as a special education paraprofessional, a direct care provider, a case manager, and an adjunct college instructor.

Coombs has been a member of Colorado Black Women for Political Action, the NAACP, Stonewall Democrats, the Arapahoe County Democratic Party Central and Outreach Committees, the Congressional District 6 Democratic Central and Outreach Committees, Aurora Residents for Transparency, the Colorado People's Alliance, the Working Families Party, and is a former vice chair of the House District 40 Democratic Executive Committee.

Elections

2023

See also: City elections in Aurora, Colorado (2023)

General election

General election for Aurora City Council At-large (2 seats)

Incumbent Alison Coombs and incumbent Curtis Gardner defeated Thomas Mayes and Jono Scott in the general election for Aurora City Council At-large on November 7, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Alison Coombs (Nonpartisan)	28.7	37,485
✔		Curtis Gardner (Nonpartisan)	27.0	35,287
	Submit photo	Thomas Mayes (Nonpartisan)	22.6	29,481
	Submit photo	Jono Scott (Nonpartisan)	21.7	28,320

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 130,573
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Coombs in this election.

2019

See also: City elections in Aurora, Colorado (2019)

General election

General election for Aurora City Council Ward V

Alison Coombs defeated incumbent Bob Roth in the general election for Aurora City Council Ward V on November 5, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Alison Coombs (Nonpartisan)	50.9	7,671
		Bob Roth (Nonpartisan)	49.1	7,396

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 15,067
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2023

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Alison Coombs did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.

2019

Alison Coombs completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Coombs' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have spent the last few years as a citizen activist working to bring transparency, accountability, and focus on the community to the Aurora city council. Born and raised in Colorado in a working class family, my experiences in life led me to become a champion for the dignity and rights of all people. I have worked in all areas of the disability services field as a special education paraprofessional, a direct care provider, and a case manager. I currently serve as a program manager for host homes and family caregivers with All Friends, Inc. I graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2011, and later received an MA in ethics and political philosophy from Binghamton University in 2013. At Binghamton I was an active member of the Teaching Assistant and Graduate Assistant Union (part of CWA local 1104) and was president of the Graduate Student Organization.  When I returned to Colorado, I settled in Aurora and quickly found my place in the life of our city. I have volunteered with numerous campaigns in Denver and Aurora, and is a member of COPA, CPA, Aurora NAACP, and the Colorado Working Families Party. I am also a Precinct Committee Person and a former secretary and 2nd Vice Chair of the HD40 Democrats.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• People in our city deserve transparent, accountable government that includes us in the decisions that affect us.
• We must develop an economy that works for all by building housing our residents can afford, closing gap between wages and cost of living, and training the next generation of skilled workers in our city.
• We must keep our city safe by improving transportation infrastructure; ensuring first responders have the tools, training, and compensation they need to serve our city well; and ensuring a just transition to renewable energy sources.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about transparency in government, accountability public officials, and oversight of our government functions. I am also passionate about pursuing economic equality in housing and job opportunities. Finally, I am excited about the possibilities for residents and small businesses that public enterprises, including municipal broadband and public banking, bring to our city.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Ward Cilcty council is the office that is the most connected to the immediate community and has a finger on the pulse of every day issues. As a candidate , I've already had people reach out to me about hazardous conditions at apartment buildings, animal issues, and other public safety concerns. This office is all about serving our neighbors, and I am eager to take on this responsibility.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I have been fortunate to have many patient, loving, quick-witted women in my life. Some are still with us and others are not. Their collective example keeps me going when I doubt myself, when I need to keep a sense of humor, and when those around me need a voice to speak truth or a shoulder to cry on. Their endurance, humility, and courage are where my focus goes whenever I need it most.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have always been committed to the service of others. I first started volunteering in elementary school and have continued doing so throughout my adult life.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The cirecresponsibilities of this office are outreach to a diverse constituency (constituent services), making policy that benefits community members (legislation), and stewardship of public resources with respect to contracts and development decisions.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The 1992 presidential election when I was nine years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I did many idd jobs as a teenager, starting at 14, tutoring peers, helping my stepdad with construction jobs, working in a family friend's consignment shop, and working concessions an a local movie theater. My first 'real job' was as a special education paraprofessional. I had that job for five years and it sparked my passion for working with people with disabilities.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

City council members can approve new taxes through special districts, often without a vote of the people. The also make decisions about tax incentives. Fi ally, our council decides on city contracts and can promote working with ci tractors who keep our city dollars invested in our local economy. As a community with major budgetary concerns, these are things our residents should be paying attention to.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

It can beneficial because there are a lot of intricacies to making policy. However, the ability to digest complex information and service to the community are the primary qualifications for this office.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

The ability to digest complex information and service to the community are the primary qualifications for this office. However, knowledge of best practices in monitoring and oversight of government programs is also needed at this juncture in our city's history.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Ballotpedia biographical submission form

The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:

“	What is your political philosophy? I believe that government functions well when people understand the issues, know how they are affected, and can have their voices heard. The easier we make it for everyday people to get information and have a seat at the table, the more we can ensure that government is accountable and effective. I am committed to creating a civic engagement commission to address low voter participation and lack of transparency at City Hall. I know that listening to the voices of our residents will help city officials better address issues with housing, transportation and public safety as our city continues to grow. I live these issues alongside my neighbors every day. I am running because I care deeply about serving my community and I know that the status quo is keeping us behind the times at a moment when we need to be working for Aurora's future together. Is there anything you would like to add? Your ballots will be mailed October 14th and must be dropped off at a ballot box by November 5th at 7 pm.	”
—Alison Coombs

See also

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Aurora City Council At-large 2023-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by Bob Roth	Aurora City Council Ward V 2019-2023	Succeeded by -