Captains Carl and Melissa Esquivel, who are also Aurora Rotary Club members, have been promoted and transferred to lead the nearby Centennial Corps. While they will certainly be missed in Aurora, this is a wonderful opportunity for them, and we wish them continued success in their new role.

Lieutenants Cesar and Orippa Rodriguez have been assigned to lead the Aurora Corps, and we look forward to working alongside them to continue serving and meeting the needs of the Aurora community.

The Salvation Army has long been a valued partner of the City of Aurora, and the Aurora Rotary Club is proud to support their mission of helping others in need. One meaningful example of this partnership is the annual holiday Bell Ringing project, which continues to be a highlight of the season.

Club President Kelly Goebel was among several invited guests who offered welcoming remarks, along with Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, Arapahoe County Commissioner Leslie Summey, Aurora Rotary Club members and Salvation Army Advisory Council leaders Phil Gibson and David Belue, and Salvation Army Major Nesan Kistan. Patti and Kirk Bateman were also in attendance.

Here’s to the future, continued partnership, and making a positive difference wherever we can.

A special highlight of the day was President Ryan officially passing the gavel to President Kelly. We are grateful for Ryan’s leadership and excited for the year ahead under Kelly’s guidance.

Here’s to another inspiring Rotary year of friendship, service, and making a positive difference wherever we are!

To see all the photos please see Photo Albums on this page.

The annual 2026 State of the City Address, coordinated by the Rotary Club of Aurora, was held on May 12, 2026.

Mayor Mike Coffman described Aurora as “strong as ever and getting stronger.” His address focused on the city’s continued efforts to strengthen public safety, address homelessness, and drive economic development through key infrastructure projects.

You can watch the full address here:
https://www.auroratv.org/.../aurora-now-special-state...

Key Highlights from the 2026 Address:

Homelessness & the Regional Navigation Campus
Mayor Coffman highlighted the success of the Aurora Regional Navigation Campus, a “one-stop shop” for services. He also emphasized his personal commitment to the program, sharing that he sleeps at the low-barrier shelter every Friday to help ensure the campus is meeting its goals.

Public Safety
Public safety remains a top priority, with a continued focus on reducing crime, addressing dangerous driving, and responding to the pressures created by rising living costs.

Infrastructure & Development — “Build Up Aurora”
The city is prioritizing long-term infrastructure improvements, including the $35 million replacement of the 60-year-old Peoria Street bridge.

Colfax Corridor Revitalization
The creation of a Downtown Development Authority is central to the city’s efforts to revitalize the East Colfax corridor.

Economic Development & Community Support
Key initiatives include a rental licensing and inspection program, a youth empowerment center, and a low-interest loan program designed to support immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs.

Budget Management
Aurora is managing a projected general fund shortfall of more than $21 million. The city is addressing this in part through 2026 employee furlough days while continuing to prioritize core services.

Key 2026 Projects & Upcoming Events:

East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit
Construction from Yosemite to I-225 begins in May 2026.

South Parker Road Intersection Project
Construction on the Parker/Quincy/Smoky Hill intersection begins in February 2026.

Aurora Fest 2026
This year’s annual festival will be part of the America 250–Colorado 150 celebrations and will feature a drone show.

The city also emphasized its continued commitment to protecting Home Rule authority against unfunded state mandates.

Mark your calendars for a fun and educational community event on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the City of Aurora Public Safety Training Center, 25950 E. Quincy Ave., near the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds.

Presented by the Rotary Clubs of Aurora and hosted by Aurora Fire Rescue and the Aurora Police Department, this special event will bring families together for an exciting day of hands-on activities, live demonstrations, and opportunities to meet local first responders.

Guests will enjoy a variety of interactive experiences, including fire suppression demonstrations, CPR demonstrations, SWAT and K9 demonstrations, ambulance and fire engine tours, and a kid’s first responder race designed especially for younger attendees.

Bring the whole family and join us for a meaningful event that highlights the dedication of Aurora’s first responders while supporting a safer future for our community.