First announced in 2010, the massive resort at 6700 N. Gaylord Rockies Blvd. is a symbol of what’s to come on the northeastern frontier of Aurora, which has been designed to develop in a phased, contiguous fashion within a larger area known as the Aerotropolis.

“It was a long road to get here,” said Aurora Mayor Bob LeGare, who is the third mayor to serve since the project was announced in 2010. “But the persistence paid off, and the reward will be massive for both Aurora, the region and the state.”

With 1,501 comfortable rooms, including 114 suites, the hotel boasts the largest number in Colorado. More than 1.1 million room nights are already booked. And more than 80 percent of conventions booked so far are new to Colorado, taking advantage of the facility’s 486,000 square feet of meeting and convention space.

Managed by Marriott International, the Gaylord Rockies joins other Gaylord Hotel properties in Florida, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Tennessee.

Guests may enjoy eight food and beverage options, including a sports bar with the state’s largest television screen; a 17-room European-style spa with an ice fountain; 26 fireplaces; and 22,000 square feet of aquatic experiences, including a lazy river and three waterslides for youth

and the young at heart. The interior also features unique décor such as a refurbished train caboose, a steel-truss bridge and an eight-story atrium window.

While the water amenities are only open to guests, the rest of the facility is open to the public, including the restaurants. Reservations may be made online at Open Table. Major annual festivals such as the recent LIGHTS festival that also offer residents a chance to explore the resort.

Gaylord Rockies hired 1,200 staff to run the resort, in addition to the 10,000 construction workers that it took to build the facility.

The annual economic benefit to the entire state is expected to reach $275 million.

Here’s some more fun facts about building the Gaylord Rockies:

• 112 acres of drywall• 2,845 square feet of interior glass• Over 20 miles of piping in guest rooms• 50 football fields of paint• Enough tile to cover 14.5 ice hockey

rinks• Enough carpet to cover 16.4 soccer

fields• Enough wood flooring to cover 7.5

basketball courts

February 2019

Ward I Town MeetingsCouncil Member Crystal Murillo• Feb. 28, 6-7:30 p.m.Fire Station No. 2, 12600 Hoffman Blvd.• March 28, 6-7:30 p.m.Fulginiti Pavilion for Bioethics and

Humanities13080 E. 19th Ave., Gossard ForumNearby complimentary parking with a code available in the Georgetown visitor parking lot at East 19th Avenue and North Victor Street; call 303.739.7015 to obtain the code prior to the meeting date

Ward II Town MeetingsCouncil Member Nicole Johnston• Feb. 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m.• March 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m.Beck Recreation Center800 Telluride St.

Mornings with MarshaWard III Council Member • Feb. 21, 7:15-8:30 a.m.• March 21, 7:15-8:30 a.m.Tin Cup Café, 50 S. Peoria St.

Ward III Town MeetingsCouncil Member Marsha Berzins• March 13, 6:30-8 p.m.• April 10, 6:30-8 p.m.Aurora Municipal Center, City Café15151 E. Alameda Parkway

Ward IV Town MeetingsCouncil Member Charlie Richardson• Feb. 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m.• March 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m.Fire Station No. 11, 2291 S. Joliet St.

Ward V Town MeetingsCouncil Member Bob Roth• Feb. 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m.• March 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m.Heather Gardens Clubhouse2888 S. Heather Gardens Way

Ward VI Town MeetingCouncil Member Françoise Bergan• March 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m.Heritage Eagle Bend Clubhouse23155 E. Heritage Parkway

Upcoming Aurora City Council TOWN MEETINGSAurora town meetings are open to everyone. Call 303.739.7015 for more detailed information about these meetings.

accessible • comfortable • advancing • worth discovering

news

303.739.7000 • AuroraGov.org • Follow us @AuroraGov • AuroraTV.orgThe city of Aurora Communications and Marketing Department produces this newsletter. Contact communications@auroragov.org.

COLORADO’SNEWEST RESORT OPENS IN

AURORA

The long-awaited 85-acre Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center opened its doors in December, and welcomed guests with a stunning holiday light display.

Photo courtesy of Gaylord Rockies

The city of Aurora and property owners are working together to create a cohesive vision for land surrounding the Gaylord Rockies to take advantage of this significant investment and make sure it’s connected to the region so all benefit.

Plans are in the works for Rockies Village, a 130-acre development around the resort to feature hotel/hospitality, office, retail and multi-family housing.

Just south of the Gaylord Rockies, the 628-acre Painted Prairie development that broke ground last September will feature 3,200 homes and a new town center with shops and restaurants.

The 3,100-acre Aurora Highlands, which celebrated a cornerstone dedication in late 2018, will bring distinct, diverse neighborhoods and mixed-use housing over the next couple of decades, coupled with a bustling main street and plenty of ways to enjoy the Colorado lifestyle.

For Aurora, Adams County and Colorado, the Gaylord Rockies and the subsequent development means a new workforce center, more places to live and raise a family, more gathering spaces, and new places to go and enjoy life.

Plans are underway or in place to ensure adequate infrastructure is installed to support the new development that is coming to this area.

The Northeast Aurora Transportation Study Refresh recently updated a plan for the area bounded by Denver International Airport, Picadilly Avenue, Jewell Avenue, and Colorado Air and Space Port, which features a vision for an interconnected bicycle and pedestrian network, an extensive public transportation system with high-frequency bus services and mobility hubs, and about 168 centerline miles of new roadway.

The city of Aurora, Adams County and the Aurora Highlands developer formed the Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority in 2018 to build roads and other infrastructure to open the Aerotropolis region for development. The authority area is bounded by E-470, Powhaton Road, 26th Avenue and 48th Avenue, but funds are programmed beyond the boundaries to design interchanges at E-470 and 38th Avenue, I-70 and Harvest Road and I-70 and Picadilly Road.

The city also is applying for a Denver Regional Council of Governments grant to fund the North Aurora Gateway Urban Center Study to examine the area around the Gaylord Rockies and Rockies Village. One of the goals will be to develop a mobility network in that area to make sure it is connected efficiently, both locally and regionally.

For more information, visit AuroraGov.org.

FULFILLING A VISION FOR NORTHEAST DEVELOPMENT

EXPLORE GREAT FOOD IN YOUR CITYNeed a new place to eat right here in Aurora? Check out the city’s NEW Yum Aurora edition, now available online at AuroraGov.org/dining and in a printed format at city facilities. Yum Aurora features location, contact information, price range, descriptions and more on 250-plus ethnic and independent eats and drinks in every part of Aurora. Whether you are in the mood for an international dining adventure like shawarma, boba tea, kangaroo meat, ramen or pupusas, or more traditional fare like burger, pizza and brew, the city’s culinary scene is right at your fingertips with Yum Aurora.

AURORA AURORA

AURORA AURORA

Yum Yum

Yum Yum

Aurora’s ethnic and independent eats anddrinks guide

Aurora’s ethnic and independent eats anddrinks guide

Aurora’s ethnic and independent eats anddrinks guide

Aurora’s ethnic and independent eats anddrinks guide

YumAurora.org YumAurora.org

YumAurora.org YumAurora.org

NOW ONLINE

NOW ONLINE

NOW ONLINE

NOW ONLINE

SIGN UP FOR FREE TRAINING TO BE A STORM SPOTTERResidents are invited to a free training to learn how to be a weather spotter from 6 to 9 p.m. March 14 at the Aurora Municipal Center Council Chamber, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.

Taught by meteorologist Scott Entrekin from the National Weather Service in Boulder, the training will prepare attendees to be a part of SKYWARN®, a volunteer program with nearly 290,000 trained severe weather spotters.

These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service. SKYWARN® storm spotters are part of the ranks of citizens who form the nation’s first line of defense against severe weather.

While the training is free, registration is required in advance at planning@arapahoeares.org.

The city of Aurora Office of Emergency Management and Arapahoe County Amateur Radio Emergency Service are sponsoring the training. Visit Weather.gov/bou/Skywarn for more information about SKYWARN.

DRINK LOCAL: AURORA’S CRAFT BEER SCENEThrough April 79 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and SundayAurora History Museum15051 E. Alameda Parkway303.739.6660 or AuroraMuseum.org

“LIFE SUCKS”Feb. 22 to March 17Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.For tickets, call 303.739.1970 or visit AuroraFox.org.This brash and revelatory reworking of “Uncle Vanya” finds a group of old friends, ex-lovers, estranged in-laws and lifelong enemies grappling with life’s thorniest questions—and each other.

EVOLVING DOORS DANCE CONCERTMarch 7 to 9The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave.For tickets and details, visit ThePeoplesBuilding.com.

“THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH”March 8 to 24Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.For tickets, call 303.739.1970 or visit AuroraFox.org.One actress plays all eight characters in this heartwarming play that recounts the true story of how the Dawkins women grew up and moved on after the very public death of one family’s beloved father and husband while still believing in a magic place where dreams can come true.

ONE SMALL STEP: FIFTY YEARS LATERMarch 12 to July 219 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and SundayAurora History Museum15051 E. Alameda Parkway303.739.6660 or AuroraMuseum.orgExplore this exhibit chronicling the 1969 moon landing, and learn about the history of space travel, humanity’s reaction to the landing and Apollo 11’s mission from launch to reentry. Free.

“MARY POPPINS JR.”March 15 and 16The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave.For ticket information, visit ThePeoplesBuilding.com.A musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film. Presented by Neighborhood Music Stapleton and Neighborhood Playhouse Children’s Theatre Company

AURORA SYMPHONY SPRING MASTERWORKS CONCERTMarch 23, 7:30 p.m.March 24, 3 p.m.Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave.For tickets and details, visit AuroraSymphony.org.

outand

about

VOW TO E-CYCLE THIS YEAR

Recycle your electronics March 9 at the city of Aurora’s e-cycling event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Central Facilities Recycling Station, 13646 E. Ellsworth Ave.

Most electronic items—desktop computers, laptops, cellphones, tablets, gaming equipment, consumer electronics and similar—are accepted for no charge, with the exception of a new fee of $5 per car dropping off.

Due to rising costs associated with processing select electronics, the following additional fees will be applied to recycle these items:

• Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitors: $5 each• Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors, CRT televisions and flat

(Light Emitting Diode, or LED, LCD and plasma) televisions under 22 inches: $20 each

• CRT monitors, CRT televisions, and LED, LCD and plasma flat televisions 22 inches and over: $40 each

• Floor model printers/copiers: $40• Projection, Digital Light Processing (DLP) and Console

(encased in wood) televisions: $70 each

CRT TVs with exposed and/or broken tubes will not be accepted, nor will appliances that contain refrigerant or coolant. Batteries, light bulbs, thermostats, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors also will not be accepted. For a complete list of items that will not be accepted, visit AuroraGov.org/Recycle, and click on Recycling Opportunities/Electronics Recycling.

A partnership with Techno Rescue is enabling the city to offer this e-cycling event for most electronics. The event is open to both Aurora residents and nonresidents. All data is destroyed on equipment recycled by Techno Rescue to protect the identities of those who are recycling responsibly.

As a reminder, electronics tossed in the trash not only cause serious environmental problems, but also are banned from landfills in Colorado. The city of Aurora’s e-cycling events are supported by Environment Aurora, a citywide effort to think green.

Additional electronics recycling events are scheduled May 4 and Sept. 21 at the Tallyn’s Reach Library, 23911 E. Arapahoe Road, and July 13 at the Central Facilities Recycling Station.

If inclement weather occurs, the event may close early, and an announcement will be posted on the city’s social media accounts and at AuroraGov.org/Recycle.

For more information, call the city of Aurora recycling hotline at 303.739.7173 or visit AuroraGov.org/Recycle.

OUTDOOR WARNING SIRENS TO BE TESTED MARCH 12At 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, the Aurora Office of Emergency Management will conduct an audible test of the city’s outdoor warning sirens. If you are outdoors, you should hear a three-minute wailing sound, which in the case of a real emergency would serve as a warning to take shelter and seek more information via a weather radio, local media or the city’s social media. The sirens may not be audible indoors. Audible tests occur twice a year, with silent testing conducted weekly.

Water Billing Questions: 303.739.7388 • Service Questions: 303.326.8645 • AuroraWater.org

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: 2019 HIGH LINE CANAL CLEANUPDo your part to beautify Aurora by volunteering at the 2019 High Line Canal Cleanup from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 16.

The cleanup, which will involve removing trash from the 11-mile stretch of the canal that runs through Aurora, is a great way for scouting, youth or religious groups to learn about the importance of preventing pollution in our waterways.

Littering is one of the main culprits that makes this event necessary. Water pollution can be caused by the things we do every day. When it rains or snows, storm water mixes with trash, antifreeze, motor oil and anything else we’ve left on our sidewalks and streets. It then flows into storm drains that discharge into the nearest stream or river, so always pick up trash whenever you can and don’t litter.

Volunteers must be at least 8 years old, and minors are required to be accompanied by an adult. Volunteer check-in is at 8 a.m. on the day ofthe cleanup at the Aurora Central Library, Large Community Room, 14949 E. Alameda Parkway.

For more information, visit AuroraWater.org, call 303.739.7372 or emailhcr@auroragov.org.

WATER CONSERVATION CLASSESLearn how to lower your water bill, help conserve water and create an incredible landscape. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. For more information or to register, visit AuroraGov.org/WaterClasses or call 303.739.7195.

WATER-WISELANDSCAPE DESIGN

Have these winter months been spent watching home improvement shows and thumbing through magazines for landscape ideas? Put those dreams onto paper as you learn to plan and draw your own water-wise landscape using basic design principles. You’ll be able to draw a site map and get started on your design.

March 4, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Tallyn’s Reach Library, Community Room, 23911 E. Arapahoe Road

GROW FOOD, SAVE WATER

If you’ve never bitten into a homegrown tomato still warm from the sun, you’re seriously missing out. Learn which water-saving vegetables grow best in Aurora, as well as how to design and plant your garden.

March 9, 9 to 11 a.m.

Aurora Central LibraryLarge Community Room14949 E. Alameda Parkway

SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF A WATER-WISE GARDEN

You know you want to convert to a low-water yard, but where do you start? Knock your creativity into gear as we introduce the necessary foundations of creating a functional water-wise landscape. Also included, landscape ideas as well as the beautiful and resilient plants that replace thirsty turf.

March 20, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Aurora Municipal Center, Aurora Room 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

SIGN UP FOR BUDGET BILLING BY APRIL 14Spread your water utility costs evenly throughout the year by enrolling in budget billing. Aurora Water calculates your utility costs, previous usage and seasonal fluctuations in water consumption to provide a more predicable bill each month. You will still receive a monthly bill to monitor your consumption, actual charges and actual balance. Customers must enroll in Autopay to qualify for the budget billing.

The 2019 applications are only accepted through April 14. Sign up at AuroraWater.org. For more information, call 303.739.7388.

BEWARE OF PHONE SCAMSThose pesky scammers are at it again, folks. Most phone scams occur with little rhyme or reason and the phone numbers are masked by computers, making it difficult to track the perpetrators’ location. These scams often originate from locations overseas and enforcement becomes impossible.

Please remain vigilant against hoaxes and be careful about giving personal information over the phone. As a reminder, Aurora Water will NEVER ask for credit card information over the phone, so you should never make a payment with us in this manner.