Development News for Aurora, Colorado

March 2026 Sales Tax Collections Show Overall Increase Driven by Consistent Taxpayers

The committee reviewed the March 2026 sales tax chart, which showed collections of $23.4 million, a 4.3% increase compared to the previous year. While consistent taxpayer collections rose by $1.8 million (8.9%), they were offset by a $3.5 million decrease in variable sales taxpayer collections. Eight of 15 tracked sectors showed a decrease, with electronics, computers, and industrial sales experiencing the largest variances. Conversely, the eating and drinking and clothing/accessory sectors performed strongly, with increases of 7.9% and 16.2% respectively. No changes to prior projections were made based on this data [cite: 32-69].

San Creek Metro District Seeks to Increase Debt Limit for Infrastructure

The committee considered the seventh amended service plan for the San Creek Metropolitan District, which serves the commercial project Gateway Park. The district, originally approved in 1995, has had six prior amendments, five of which increased its debt limit. This seventh amendment also seeks to increase the debt limit from $105 million to $200 million to fund infrastructure projects for the remaining 100 undeveloped acres. The district plans to seek voter authorization for this additional debt in a TAB election in November. Representatives explained that the district takes a conservative, piecemeal approach to debt issuance, requiring funds to be spent within three years of issuance and focusing on near-term identifiable projects. This approach allows them to be reactive to opportunities, such as partnering with DIA on the Pena corridor, addressing intersection improvements, and managing ongoing maintenance and end-of-life asset refreshes for a district over 30 years old. They clarified that this amendment authorizes future debt issuance but does not constitute current debt issuance. The district has excluded residential properties and focuses solely on commercial development [cite: 276-442].

Annual IT Lease Purchase Authority Ordinance Approved for Study Session

The committee reviewed the annual ordinance authorizing the city to enter into lease purchase agreements for technology acquisition. This is the fourth year for this ordinance, which is required to fulfill IRS reporting requirements. The lease purchase agreements are used for hardware and software, serving as a cost containment measure. Last year, a lease with Motorola saved the city $500,000. The committee approved moving this item to the study session [cite: 117-174].

New Ballot Dropbox Location Proposed at Morehead Recreation Center

The City Clerk presented an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Adams County to establish a ballot dropbox location at the Morehead Recreation Center. This location is already a Vote By Mail Special Processing Center (VSPC). The IGA allows residents from Douglas, Adams, and Arapahoe counties to drop off ballots there. The committee approved moving this item to the study session [cite: 443-465].