Tag: Crystal Murillo
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After heated debate, Aurora council finalizes harsh penalties on retail, restaurant theft
After heated discussion Monday night, Aurora city council finalized two ordinances making the penalties for retail theft and “dine and dash” crimes harsher. Both ordinances add to an original ordinance passed in 2023, which set a three-day mandatory minimum jail sentence for retail theft of $300 or more. Supporters of the ordinances finalized Monday night…
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Tension boils over at Aurora Council meeting about public defenders, call for ceasefire
Tension boiled over at the Aurora City council meeting on Monday, when two items — a call for a “cease-fire” in Gaza and efforts to undo the request for proposals to examine the potential effects of privatizing the city’s public defender’s office — were removed from the agenda. Councilmember Alison Coombs, who had championed the “cease-fire”…
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Aurora to local governments, nonprofits: Don’t bring immigrants in without coordinating
The Aurora council approved a resolution on Monday night telling other local governments or nonprofits entities to not bring immigrants — who ended up in metro Denver after illegally crossing America’s southern border — into Colorado’s third most populous city. The vote followed disagreement among councilmembers and criticism from some residents who attended the meeting. The…
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Aurora councilmembers argue over rule to ban children on the dais
Aurora City Council passed new rules regarding seating on the council dais Monday following a councilmember’s decision to bring her child onto the dais that caused backlash and debate among members. Councilmember Danielle Jurinsky brought the rule change to Monday’s council meeting, prompting heated discussion between herself and councilmember Alison Coombs — who Jurinsky said…
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Aurora councilmembers delays accessibility changes to chambers
The Aurora City Council on Monday delayed a decision to award a construction contract for accessibility upgrades to the council chambers, saying they need more information about the project. Two council members also wondered whether other places lack compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, noting the money might be more needed there. …
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Aurora City Council OKs water restrictions amid concerns of projected shortage levels, debates ARPA grants
The Aurora City Council discussed anticipated drought conditions at its Monday meeting, agreeing to implement water restrictions this spring if nothing changes. The council also debated awarding grants to local nonprofits as the city continues pandemic recovery efforts. Here’s more about how the decisions unfolded. Water availability The council approved a resolution that will enact…
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Aurora council debates ARPA nonprofit grants
Last year the Aurora City Council approved using pandemic recovery funds to support nonprofits working in the city with grants — but when it came time to sign off on the projects, not all lawmakers were happy with who was getting money. In January 2022, the city council approved allocating $2.5 million in American Rescue…
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Aurora councilmembers condemn anti-LGBTQ crime
The Aurora City Council has adopted a resolution condemning hate crimes perpetuated against the LGBTQIA+ community and calling on people to report incidents when they occur. Councilmember Crystal Murillo brought the resolution up for council consideration on Monday in response to the mass shooting that killed five at Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado…
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A split Aurora city council approves retail theft jail sentences
A plan to require minimum jail sentences of three days for people convicted of stealing $300 or more worth of retail goods continued to divide Aurora’s City Council on Monday but still secured final approval. The policy takes effect in roughly 30 days. Council gave early approval to the bill Sept. 12. The bill sponsor,…