Aurora

Aurora History

By the time Donald Fletcher began acquiring property on the North side of Colfax Avenue in 1889, Denver was an established city. Various developers were acquiring land on what was then the outskirts of Denver and establishing small towns in every direction.

Samuel Perry, an associate of Fletcher, acquired land South of Colfax and platted the Aurora Subdivision, the first use of the name which was to appear later. Fletcher, Perry, and Thomas Hayden continued to acquire land on both sides of Colfax and in March of 1891 the three filed the necessary papers to incorporate the Town of Fletcher. By late May, the newly incorporated town elected H.M. Milliken as the first mayor and the new town was on its way.

As with the rest of the contiguous Metropolitan Denver area, Aurora is located on the Colorado Piedmont between the high eastern plains and the Rocky Mountain foothills to the west. The first Native Americans wandered along the spring fed streams of present day Aurora as early as 1300 B.C.E. Spanish explorers’ accounts of the area date to 1659, and after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, trappers and Army explorers began to roam the Piedmont in earnest. With the discovery of gold in the area in 1859, settlers poured in the area that would become Denver. As the city grew, the speculators and land promoters came, among them Donald Fletcher. In addition to his namesake town, Fletcher was also involved in land promotion in Pueblo, and was the first president of Fairmount Cemetery.

Then, as now, Aurora suffered from a lack of water. The streams that flowed through Aurora were occasionally a flood, but mostly a trickle, but never enough to create adequate water works for a substantial population. In spite of Donald Fletchers attempts to fill a reservoir with well water and additional water rights purchased from the new High Line Canal, Fletcher ran dry in 1894, and was forced to purchase water from the Denver Union Water Company. By that time the silver crises of 1893 had already devastated the Colorado economy, and Donald Fletcher had quietly disappeared from the area. By 1897, the residents of Fletcher voted to be annexed to Denver, but with its distance form the city center and the ongoing water problems, Denver failed to honor the annexation request.

By 1900 the town had some 200 residents, but the future was by no means assured. Water shortages and poor tax collection stymied the town’s growth and would do so for years to come. In spite of the difficulties, the town persevered, starting telephone service in 1900 and adding sidewalks along Colfax in 1901. Then in 1907, the residents of Fletcher petitioned to change the towns name to Aurora, and by 1910 the population had tripled and the community had a new town hall.

As the United States became involved in WWI, Aurora had a population exceeding 1,000, and a certain level of stability. The ongoing dependence on Denver for water held growth in check and seemingly never ending payments from failed water projects kept Aurora’s finance’s weak. Annexation to Denver seemed inevitable, but the war intervened. The casualties expected from the war, and particularly from injuries sustained from gas weapons led the Army Medical Corps to seek sites for medical facilities. Because of Denver’s reputation as an excellent area for tubercular recovery, Denver area leaders began to lobby politicians to choose Denver as a site for a hospital.

The Gutheil Nursery site at Colfax and Peoria was a likely site, so Aurora became involved in the effort to attract a facility. By 1918 the efforts succeeded, construction was begun in the summer and on October 13; the army dedicated Army Hospital 21. While Denver leadership put forth much of the effort and cash, the real winner was Aurora, with millions of dollars being pumped into the local economy. Permanence cam in July 1920 when the facility was formally named Fitzsimons Army Hospital, named after the nation’s first military death in WWI, Lt. William Fitzsimons.

During the 1920’s, Stapleton Airport became an economic force for Aurora, and with increased status coming by state recognition as a second class city, Aurora began to increase its city services. A fire station was built, sewer lines were run, some streets were paved, and Aurora’s 2000 residents started to enjoy the benefits of a serious city.

Aurora suffered along with the rest of the country during the depression, but by the late 1930’s the newly established Lowey Field began to have a monetary effect on Aurora.

As the United States entered WWII, the Army needed another air training facility in the area, and what would become Buckley Air Force Base was established east of Lowry. Aurora also benefited from the construction of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, built in 1942 as a chemical weapons manufacturing plant.

With the end of WWII, Aurora began to grow. The city government became more formal with the advent of the council-manager system, and city employment becoming structured. By the mid 1950’s, homes were being constructed North and South of the core city, Hoffman Heights was underway, and the postwar expansion that influenced Denver’s growth pulled Aurora along with it. By 1960, the population was at 50,000, and Aurora was looking to solve its long standing water problems.

The Homestake water project, which Aurora undertook with Colorado Springs, finally separated Aurora from its dependence on Denver for water. In 1967, Aurora formally severed its relationship with the Denver Water Board. With foresight from city leaders in developing further water supplies, Aurora’s growth skyrocketed. By the mid 1980’s, the population exceeded 200,000 and Aurora was looking to create economic independence form Denver.

Having fought to protect Fitzsimons Army Hospital for 75 years, Aurora finally lost the fight in 1995 as the hospital came under the axe of continued military cutbacks. Aurora’s leadership was more than equal to what could have been an economic disaster, and with the creation of the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, Aurora’s leadership struck its most important deal in it history. The University of Colorado’s Health Science Center, landlocked in Denver at Colorado Boulevard and 8th Avenue saw and opportunity at Fitzsimons to create not just a hospital, but the nation’s largest bio-technical research facility. By 1997, the University began moving to the site of the old army hospital, and the reclaiming of Fitzsimons had begun. By 2003, construction of facilities was complete or underway on numerous buildings and improvements on the old grounds, and the old main hospital building had been renovated to provide office facilities for the University’s staff.

Today, Aurora is poised to become second only to Denver as the states largest city and economic powerhouse. With the redevelopment of Fitzsimons, the city’s emergence as a distribution magnet, the continued growth of Buckley Air Force Base as the Denver area’s only active military installation, and the long planned development of the City Center becoming a reality, Aurora’s future is secured.
Aurora Facts

Colorado’s third largest city by population (2003 approximately 294,000), and second to Denver in land area (144 square miles). Aurora is the 62nd most populous city in the United States after Corpus Christi, Texas.

Climate Chart
	Average High Temperature	Average Afternoon Humidity	Chance of Sunshine
Winter	43°	49%	< 71%
Spring	62°	35%	< 67%
Fall	66°	36%	72%

Annual precipitation averages 14.8 inches, with an average of 300 sunny days each year.

Aurora is a “home rule” city, 9operating under a council-manager governmental system.

Aurora employs over 100m000 people at more than 12,000 businesses.

In addition to 7 golf courses, Aurora has indoor and outdoor recreational facilities to serve every taste. The 3000 acres of parkland include the beach and water sports at the Aurora Reservoir, numerous ballparks and tennis courts, and is just minutes from Denver’s cultural and professional sports attractions.

Aurora is served by two excellent public school systems, Aurora Public Schools and Cherry Creek Schools. In addition there is Community College of Aurora and the world class teaching and research center at the Fitzsimons Campus of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.

The average cost of a new single family home in Aurora is $250,000., while the average resale home costs $185,000. Apartment rental rates average $725.

Aurora is in 3 counties, Adams, Arapahoe, and Douglas, has 11 zip codes and the elevation is 5,435 feet.

In addition to the University of Colorado Health Sciences center, Aurora is home to the Medical Center of Aurora and Spalding Rehabilitation Hospital.

Aurora is well served with retail shopping, including 2 regional malls, with the new Southlands Center due to open in 2005, over 15 supermarkets, and numerous area retail centers.

Rail service in the city’s Northeast distribution centers is provided by the Union Pacific Railroad. Aurora is the most conveniently located city to Denver International Airport, with easy access form anywhere in the city via E-470, I-225 and Buckley Road/Airport Boulevard.

The City of Aurora employs over 2700 people, including over 840 police officers and support personnel and over 330 fire department personnel.

Aurora Neighborhoods

Aurora’s comprehensive plan defines over 50 distinct neighborhoods in Aurora. We have selected a representative sample of 10 neighborhoods to demonstrate the types of available housing and general price ranges. Aurora continues to build new neighborhoods. Large tracts of land in the southeast part of Aurora to the East of E-470 are being developed into attractive neighborhoods using the latest in design and construction materials to make Aurora a great place to live in the 21st Century.

Hoffman Heights (zip code: 80111)

Boundaries:

Peoria Street on the west, 13thAvenue on the north, Potomac Street on the East, 6th Avenue on the South.

Aurora Public Schools East of Peoria:

Vaughn Elementary, Sixth Avenue Elementary, South Middle, Aurora Central High School

Constructed in the early 1950’s in what was then empty prairie south of Fitzsimons, Hoffman Heights is 1700 plus ranch homes. Most are brick, with some frame homes on the east side of the development. All are slab on grade construction, with no basements.

Most have one car garages, although over the years many garages have been converted to living space and additional garage space has been added.

Drive times from Hoffman Heights – Aurora to major metropolitan areas:

Fitzsimons (New C.U. Med Center Campus): 5 minutes
Downtown Denver: 25 minutes
Denver International Airport: 25 minutes
Denver Tech Center: 20 minutes
Inverness/Meridian: 30 minutes
Broomfield/Interlocken: 30 minutes

Mission Viejo (zip code: 80013)

Boundaries:

Chambers Road on the west, Hampden Avenue on the north, Buckley Road on the east, Quincy Avenue on the south.

School Districts:

Cherry Creek Schools West of Peoria: Mission Viejo Elementary, Laredo Middle School, Smoky Hill High School

Mission Viejo was developed by the company that built the city in Southern California by the same name.  It is a completely planned square mile in South Aurora in the Cherry Creek School District.  Started in the early 1970’s with building continuing until the mid 1980’s, most homes are California modern in style, with floor plans consisting of ranch, split level and 2 stories.

Drive times from Mission Viejo in Aurora to major metropolitan areas

Fitzsimons (new C.U. Med Center Campus): 20 minutes
Downtown Denver: 30 minutes
Denver International Airport (DIA): 30 minutes
Denver Tech Center: 15 minutes
Inverness/Meridian: 20 minutes
Broomfield/Interlocken: 50 minutes

Morris Heights (zip code 80011)

Boundaries:

Peoria Street on the West, Smith Road on the North, Sable Blvd on the East, Sand Creek Drainage area on the South

School Districts:

Aurora Public Schools East of Peoria: Park Lane Elementary, Sable Elementary, North Middle School, Hinkley High School

Home built from 1958 through the late 1960’s. Home styles are generally brick ranch, with some tri-levels and bi-levels built in later years. Many homes have sound abatement windows, doors, and insulation installed after a settlement with Denver as the result of aircraft noise from the now closed Stapleton Airport. This area is immediately north of Fitzsimons.

Drive Times from Morris Heights, Aurora to major metropolitan areas:

Fitzsimons (new C.U. Med Center Campus): 10 minutes
Downtown Denver: 30 minutes
Denver International Airport (DIA): 20 minutes
Denver Tech Center: 30 minutes
Inverness/Meridian: 35 minutes
Broomfield/Interlocken: 40 minutes

Saddle Rock (zip code 80016)

Boundaries:

Mostly South of Smoky Hill Road, West of E-470

School District:

Cherry Creek Schools West of Peoria:

Canyon Creek Elementary, Falcon Creek Middle School, Grandview High School

The Saddle Rock area was annexed to Aurora in the late 1980’s and development of the area began in the mid 1990’s with the construction of the area’s signature golf course.

Homes style’s range from small ranch to large semi-custom colonials, with a variety of contemporaries homes available. Many homes have excellent views of the Southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

Drive times from Saddle Rock in Aurora to major metropolitan areas:

Fitzsimons (New C.U. Med Center Campus): 25 minutes
Downtown Denver: 40 minutes
Denver International Airport: 25 minutes
Denver Tech Center: 20 minutes
Inverness/Meridian: 15 minutes
Broomfield/Interlocken: 55 minutes

Shenandoah (zip code: 80015)

Boundaries:

Chambers Road on the west, Smoky Hill Road on the north, Laredo Street on the east, Belleview on the south

School District:

Cherry Creek Schools, Sagebrush Elementary, Laredo Middle School, Smoky Hill High School

Homes in Shenandoah were built in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. This gated community has large lots and a variety of home styles from semi custom to custom. Some homes have been updated. Community pool, tennis courts, and a pond and park are available for residents. Ranch style, contemporary, and 2 story homes can be found in Shenandoah.

Drive times from Shenandoah in Aurora to major metropolitan areas:

Fitzsimons (New C.U. Med Center Campus): 20 minutes
Downtown Denver: 35 minutes
Denver International Airport: 25 minutes
Denver Tech Center: 15 minutes
Inverness/Meridian: 15 minutes
Broomfield/Interlocken: 50 minutes

The Dam (zip code: 80014)

Boundaries:

Parker Road on the west, Yale Avenue on the north, Ursula on the east, Cornell on the south

School District:

Cherry Creek Schools West of Peoria: Polton Elementary, Prairie Middle, Overland High School
The Dam was built by Writer Corporation in the 1960’ and 70’s. The Dam West is single family homes built on various size lots with ranch, 2 story and split level homes the style.

One of the Denver area’s earliest communities with designed open space, green belts and pool and tennis courts, the area has been well taken care of. Many homes have been updated over the years. The Dam East consists of single family homes on small lots and town homes.

Drive times from The Dam in Aurora to major metropolitan areas:

Fitzsimons (New C.U. Med Center Campus): 15 minutes
Downtown Denver: 25 minutes
Denver International Airport: 25 minutes
Denver Tech Center: 10-15 minutes
Inverness/Meridian: 20 minutes
Broomfield/Interlocken: 50 minutes