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Municipal elections in Aurora, Colorado (2017)
2019 →
← 2015
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| 2017 Aurora elections |
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| Election dates |
| Filing deadline: August 29, 2017 |
| General election: November 7, 2017 |
| Election stats |
| Offices up: City council |
| Total seats up: 5 |
| Election type: Nonpartisan |
| Other municipal elections |
| U.S. municipal elections, 2017 |
The city of Aurora, Colorado, held elections for city council on November 7, 2017. Wards I, II, and III were up for election, as well as two at-large seats. Two incumbents ran for re-election: Sally Mounier in Ward I and Marsha Berzins in Ward III. Berzins was re-elected, and Mournier was defeated by Crystal Murillo. The Ward II incumbent and two at-large representatives did not run for re-election, resulting in three open seats. Nicole Johnston won the Ward II race, where incumbent Renie Peterson was prevented from seeking re-election due to term limits. Allison Hiltz secured one of the at-large seats. After a recount was conducted due to the small margin between the two, it was determined that Dave Gruber came in second place, receiving 45 more votes than Thomas Tobiassen.[1]
In the open at-large race, Timothy Huffman, Thomas Tobiassen, and Russell Wagner all raised over $30,000. Incumbents Sally Mounier and Marsha Berzins both raised more than their opponents. In the Ward II race, Bob Hagedorn and Nicole Johnston led the group, each raising about $20,000 as of mid-October.
There was a city ballot measure to raise the salaries of the mayor and city council members, which voters approved with 51 percent of the vote. Also on the ballot were five measures concerning the creation of the Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority and a measure seeking the approval of a property tax increase within the Sable-Altura Fire Protection District. Ballots were mailed to active registered voters, and were sent out beginning October 16, 2017.[2]Elections
General election
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At-large (2 seats)
- Note: Incumbents Barbara Cleland and Brad Pierce did not file for re-election.
☐ Brian Arnold
☑ Dave Gruber
☐ Reid Hettich
☑ Allison Hiltz
☐ Timothy Huffman
☐ Abel Laeke
☐ Thomas Tobiassen
☐ Russell Wagner
Ward I
☐ Sally Mounier (i)
☑ Crystal Murillo
Ward II
- Note: Incumbent Renie Peterson was term-limited.
☐ Bob Hagedorn
☑ Nicole Johnston
☐ Ruben Medina
☐ Robert O'Riley
☐ Jeff Wilson
Ward III
☑ Marsha Berzins (i)
☐ Robert Hargrove
☐ Debi Hunter Holen
☐ Martha Lugo
☐ Naquetta Ricks
Campaign finance
The charts below include campaign finance information from reports filed on the 90th day and the 21st day before the election.
Endorsements
| Endorsements for Aurora municipal election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endorser | At-large | Ward I | Ward II | Ward III |
| Aurora Sentinel[3] | Thomas Tobiassen and Allison Hiltz | Crystal Murillo | Nicole Johnston | Martha Lugo |
Ballot measures
• Ballot Question 2K: Aurora Local Government Salaries Charter Amendment 
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of amending the city charter to raise the salaries of the mayor and city council members. |
| A no vote was a vote against amending the city charter to raise the salaries of the mayor and city council members. |
• Issue Arta-A: Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority Property Tax
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing property taxes for the Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority by $500,000 in fiscal year 2019. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing property taxes for the Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority by $500,000 in fiscal year 2019. |
• Issue Arta-B: Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority Sales Tax
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of implementing a one percent sales tax for the Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority. |
| A no vote was a vote against implementing a one percent sales tax for the Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority. |
• Issue Arta-C: Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority Revenue Change
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of authorizing the Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority to collect and spend money. |
| A no vote was a vote against authorizing the Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority to collect and spend money. |
• Issue Arta-D: Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority Bond Question
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority's debt by $600 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority's debt by $600 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount. |
• Issue Arta-E: Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority Formation
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of the creation of the Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority. |
| A no vote was a vote against the creation of the Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority. |
• Issue 4E: Sable-Altura Fire Protection District Property Tax
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the property taxes within the district through a $350,000 mill levy. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the property taxes within the district through a $350,000 mill levy. |
Additional elections on the ballot
- See also: Colorado elections, 2017
The general election for Aurora City Council shared the ballot with the general election for four seats on the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education and four seats on the Douglas County School District Board of Education.
About the city
- See also: Aurora, Colorado
Aurora is a city in Colorado. It spans three counties. These are Arapahoe County, Adams County and Douglas County. As of 2010, its population was 325,078.
City government
- See also: Council-manager government
The city of Aurora uses a council-manager system. In this form of municipal government, an elected city council—which includes the mayor and serves as the city's primary legislative body—appoints a chief executive called a city manager to oversee day-to-day municipal operations and implement the council's policy and legislative initiatives.[4][5]
Demographics
The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.
| Demographic Data for Aurora, Colorado | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aurora | Colorado | |
| Population | 325,078 | 5,029,196 |
| Land area (sq mi) | 154 | 103,636 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White | 60.4% | 84% |
| Black/African American | 16.5% | 4.2% |
| Asian | 6.5% | 3.2% |
| Native American | 0.9% | 1% |
| Pacific Islander | 0.4% | 0.2% |
| Other (single race) | 10.2% | 3.9% |
| Multiple | 5.2% | 3.7% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 28.6% | 21.5% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate | 87.7% | 91.7% |
| College graduation rate | 29.7% | 40.9% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income | $65,100 | $72,331 |
| Persons below poverty level | 10.7% | 10.3% |
| Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2010). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2014-2019). | ||
| **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Aurora Colorado election. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
| Aurora, Colorado | Colorado | Municipal government | Other local coverage |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Aurora Sentinel, "Gruber wins Aurora at-large city council seat after recount reveals 45-vote lead," November 29, 2017
- ↑ City of Aurora, "Current & Upcoming Elections," accessed February 21, 2017
- ↑ Aurora Sentinel, "ENDORSEMENTS: 2017 Aurora City Council, APS elections promise change — our picks to ensure it," October 12, 2017
- ↑ City of Aurora, "City Hall," accessed October 23, 2014
- ↑ City of Aurora, "City Management," accessed October 23, 2014
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