With Aurora’s November election rapidly approaching, city residents will have several big decisions to make in choosing the next city leaders.

Voters will choose between several candidates for mayor, at-large councilmembers and councilmembers for districts (called “wards”) IV, V and VI.

Four candidates, Alison Coombs, Curtis Gardner, Thomas Mayes and Jono Scott, are running for two at-large council positions, currently held by Curtis Gardner and Angela Lawson.

Election Day is Nov. 7 and candidates elected to office in 2023 will serve four-year terms ending in 2027. Their terms will begin at the commencement of the first regular council meeting in December following the election.

The Denver Gazette asked all of the candidates a series of questions about how they would approach their roles. Responses from the four at-large candidates are as follows.

What makes you qualified for the role you’re running for and why should people vote for you?

Alison Coombs: In my four years on council, I have developed broad knowledge of the city’s policy and operations, and have built relationships with key stakeholders in our community. I have also learned to collaborate with my colleagues when possible and stand my ground when necessary. I am committed to working with our county, state, and federal partners–and most importantly our community–to ensure that every person in our city has dignified housing, dignified wages, and the ability to be safe in our city.

Curtis Gardner: I have lived most of my life in Aurora, have lived or worked in all six wards and attended both Aurora and Cherry Creek schools, so I understand both the opportunities we have and the challenges we face. And as dad to three daughters all born in Aurora, I want to ensure Aurora is a city where everyone can thrive. I have always looked for ways to serve my community, both in my career and in volunteer opportunities. When I was elected 4 years ago, I told voters I would be their advocate at City Hall and I’ve done that.

Thomas Mayes: I am a CO native, Vietnam Veteran, husband, father and grandfather. I am a senior pastor at Living Water Christian Center Church and President of the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance. As a member and community liaison for Aurora Key Community Response Team & Aurora Police Victims Witness Advisory Board, I heard directly from the community about challenges they are facing from gun violence to lack of economic opportunity and access to affordable housing. I serve on the Police Incident Review Board and Consent Decree. In 1990, I founded E.S.C.A.P.E. (Everyone Sharing Child Abuse Prevention Education).

Jono Scott: As a husband and father of four, I am heavily invested in the quality of life of my community and city. I have worked hard to gain knowledge and experience in helping both. These qualifications include directing the local foodbank (partner agent with Foodbank of the Rockies); being a member of the City of Aurora’s Budget Advisory Committee for the last six years (voted as an executive officer the last five years, including chair); volunteer coaching dozens of soccer teams for the youth of our community; and, investing in people’s lives through being a pastor here since 2004.

What are the top three challenges Aurora is facing today and how would you address them?

Coombs: Housing, public safety, and quality of life are the top three challenges in our city. We can address all of these issues through strategic planning, redevelopment, and investments in our community. We can turn vacant retail spaces and dying strip centers into affordable, commercial space, mixed income housing, and community amenities. I’m doing so, we create access to housing for people at all levels, create points of entry for local entrepreneurs, and activate space that is otherwise a prime location for criminal activity.

Gardner: 1. Public safety should be the top priority. We need to ensure our police officers and firefighters are the highest paid and best trained in Colorado and ensure both have support of politicians to do the job they’re hired to do.

2. Economic Growth. Aurora has much opportunity for development, but it needs to be done the right way, looking for ways to diversify our tax base with commercial and industrial job growth.

3. Affordability. Aurora needs to be a place everyone can call home. Elected leaders need to ensure we have adequate housing supply to meet the demand of our growing city.

Mayes: Public safety, affordable housing and cost of living are the top issues for Aurorans. The increase in crime in our community is unacceptable and I am committed to investing in crime prevention in a collaborative effort with law enforcement and the community through initiatives such as gun buy-back programs, employment opportunities, and apprenticeships with incentives for community members and businesses that participate. I will also support programs to get people who are unhoused the resources they need by partnering with local organizations that offer families food and rental assistance, access to behavioral health services, job training and employment opportunities.

Scott: 1. Crime/safety. This is the most pressing issue in Aurora right now. We should all feel safe in our neighborhoods and communities. I will be a champion for enforcing our laws, empowering the victim and expanding punishments for crime.

2. Economic Health. Aurora is poised to be the major economic driver in the state. We must expand wisely and purposefully by supporting small businesses and attracting innovative industry leaders.

3. Affordability. We can help working families by improving housing options, (both volume and value) and reducing the tax burden.

What is your stance on Aurora’s approach to homelessness and how would you address it?

Coombs: The main cause of homelessness is losing one’s housing. The main solution is making sure that every person is housed. Sweeping the problem away makes things worse, not better. I believe we should use a permanent, supporting housing approach where people have access to case management, mental and behavioral health services, workforce development, and any other resources needed to ensure that they are thriving, healthy, and contributing members of our community.

Gardner: Homelessness exists across a spectrum due to several factors including substance abuse issues, mental health issues, veterans issues/PTSD, economic distress, affordability and more. A one-size-fits-all, housing-first approach is not the right approach. We need a comprehensive set of services to address all of the above, including treatment of substance abuse and mental health issues. Additionally, it needs to be a metro area wide solution, as Aurora cannot solve this crisis alone. Homelessness doesn’t stop at city boundaries and we need all municipal governments rowing in the same direction.

Mayes: I will work to make Aurora an affordable place to live and ensure that all residents can live in the same community where they work. I will also support housing justice efforts like eviction prevention for people who are employed in the trades and service industries. Our approach should be, we want people to not only come to Aurora to work but to stay and grow with us.

Scott: We must lead on this issue with compassion. I support a treatment-first approach (modeled after such programs as Step Denver, the Bridge House, Colorado Springs Rescue Mission). I support the direction that the current council is taking (camping ban) and would like to expand upon it. One specific policy that I would like to see is enforcement cut down from 72 hours to 24 hours. Finally, we need to work together as a region to share resources and best practices and with our nonprofits and faith-based organizations to ensure we’re providing the support needed to help people get back on their feet.

As an elected official, what would your role be in bolstering public safety efforts in Aurora?

Coombs: I believe that, as elected officials, we should be ensuring that every person in our city lives a safe and thriving life. This means investing in the success of every neighborhood and every individual. Investment means providing public safety services that ensure the right response to every situation. It also means addressing root causes to prevent crime rather than just reacting to it.

Gardner: In my first term, I have made addressing public safety my top priority. From using ARPA dollars for hazard pay for our first responders to sponsoring safety & security grants for small business and passing ordinances addressing auto theft and catalytic convertor theft, I have remained focused in ensuring Aurora is a safe city. However, our work isn’t done. We need to ensure our fire department has a budget and resources on par with a city of our size. We need to ensure our police department has the latest training and equipment to address modern law enforcement.

Mayes: I will support programs that will bolster crime reduction and prevention through education in collaboration with law enforcement and the community. I will work to increase opportunities to get more guns off the streets through a buy-back program with incentives for community members who participate.

Scott: I would advocate for a fully funded, fully staffed police department that is enabled to enforce our laws with support, respect, and transparency while recognizing the need to build community trust. I am proud to be endorsed by both the Aurora Fraternal Order of Police and the Aurora Police Association. I view my role as being a facilitator to accomplish these from both the community and city leadership perspectives.

What is your stance on the Strong Mayor proposal?

Coombs: I believe the city should have a thorough conversation about what the balance of power between elected officials and city management looks like. However, the strong mayor proposal that was on the table this year had no community input, side stepped council, and created unchecked power in the mayor’s office. I’m glad this did not make the ballot, and I look forward to a more meaningful conversation in the coming years.

Gardner: I am opposed to the recently proposed strong mayor proposal for several different reasons. It gave the mayor too much unilateral power over contracts, the budget, ability to hire and fire staff and the ability to govern without any checks and balances in times of emergency. Additionally, under our current system, we have representation from across the city with various personal and professional backgrounds that requires good policymaking and compromise to get ordinances passed. Under the proposal brought forward, all power would be placed in the hands of one individual.

Mayes: I do not support it.

Scott: While I have the utmost respect for Mayor Coffman and his vast public service, I can’t support the Strong Mayor proposal as written. Our current system has less political polarization because city staff typically have the long-term knowledge and experience to proceed more by common sense than by partisanship. I’ve seen this benefit firsthand serving on the Aurora Budget Committee as our city’s credit rating is specifically higher because of our use of nonpartisan staff. I think with more input from the council and residents we can make changes that best serve the needs of our residents.

What is one thing you would do differently than the person who currently has the role you’re running for?

Coombs: I would prioritize the needs of people who are struggling the most in our city, which I don’t believe my colleagues currently in at large positions have done. They have, by in large, prioritized policies that exacerbated existing inequalities.

Gardner: In my first term, I have worked hard to work with various stakeholders to build policy. Unlike some politicians that only meet with folks they agree with, I regularly meet with people that I disagree with – you’d be surprised what you can learn from others. In my second term, I want to ensure I continue doing this. It has made me a better policy maker. It has made me more open to different ideas and made me a better representative of voters in Aurora. (Editor’s note: As the incumbent, Gardner was asked, “What is the one thing you would change or improve about how you approach your role?”)

Mayes: I know the future is only as bright for Aurora as the leadership governs it to be. I believe we all need to work together to preserve our community for future generations.

Scott: I’ve been an Aurora resident for the past 30 years. I’m running for this office to continue to make Aurora a safe and affordable place to raise a family now and into the future. I want my kids to have good schools and future opportunities and a city that they too can one day start their own families. I’ve spoken with small business owners who are suffering and residents worried if their cars will still be parked outside when they need to get to work. I’m ready to jump into council and be their voice to represent all of the citizens of Aurora.

What is the best thing about living in Aurora?

Coombs: We are the city with the most potential and opportunity for growth, creativity, and community building in our region. It is an honor to serve Aurora and I hope to continue doing so for the next four years.

Gardner: Aurora is a great place to live and raise a family. I am a proud girl dad – all three of my daughters were born in Aurora and there is no place I would rather raise them! We have great parks, golf courses, water and more. We also have the BEST restaurant scene in the metro area — on Havana St, you can sample Ethiopian, Korean, Middle Eastern and more, sometimes in the same strip. Aurora is such an interesting place to call home and we have so much opportunity ahead of us. I’m excited to be a part of our future!

Mayes: I have called Aurora my home for over 40 years. I believe Aurora is a wonderful place to live where all four of my children were raised and all eight of my grandchildren are growing up. Our diversity makes us a culturally vibrant community and I want my family and all future Aurorans to be able to continue to enjoy it.

Scott: What I love about Aurora are the people, places, and opportunities that are here. Being involved in so many different parts of the community (faith community, volunteer coaching, foodbank, immigrant/refugee, budget, neighborhood), I appreciate the diversity and vibrancy of the people of Aurora. It really is a nice place to live, work, and raise a family. I hope to continue to work to preserve and promote these wonderful values in this wonderful place!