After a considerable amount of assessment of the state of the Aurora Police Department and Chief Vanessa Wilson’s work in her two years as chief, and a recognition that areas of the department need refocused attention, Aurora City Manager Jim Twombly has made the decision to search for new leadership for APD.

“It is clear that Chief Wilson has prioritized community involvement. However, the police chief also needs to effectively manage the operations of the department, effectively engage with staff, build morale, and validate employee feedback. To provide the level of public safety that our community deserves, a change in leadership must occur,” Twombly said.

As of April 6, Division Chief Chris Juul will temporarily oversee operations at APD. The city management team will work to name an interim chief in the near future. Simultaneously, the city will begin a nationwide search for a permanent chief. Under the Aurora City Charter, it is the city manager’s duty to appoint a police chief with the approval of a majority of the City Council.

The change in leadership will not have an impact on the city’s commitment to fulfill the terms of the consent decree it entered with the Colorado Attorney General in late 2021. The city had already begun implementing changes as part of its ongoing ‘New Way’ plan launched in 2020. Community members can track developments on the city’s ‘New Way’ progress page, which is updated regularly.

Twombly and Mayor Mike Coffman held a news conference April 6 to address the community, and it can be viewed at YouTube.com/TheAuroraChannel.

The National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation runs April 1 through April 30. With your support, Aurora can remain one of the top water-wise cities in the country. Join Mayor Mike Coffman and Aurora City Council in the pledge to save water. Together, we can all take small, daily actions to reduce waste and promote the sustainability of one of our most precious resources: water. It only takes a minute, and if our city receives the most pledges, participants will be eligible for hundreds of prizes from the Wyland Foundation, who sponsors the challenge, including water-saving devices, home improvement gift cards and a $3,000 grand prize. Pledge to save at AuroraGov.org/Challenge.

The Aurora City Council welcomes public comment and has refined its process for speaking before the council, beginning with its April 11 meeting.

Public comment during Public Invited to be Heard (on non-agenda items of city concern) is up to one hour long at the beginning of the regular council meeting. Speaker order is based on when the request to speak is received. Each speaker is allotted a maximum of three minutes. The council will accommodate as many speakers as time permits.

A new online registration form is available at AuroraGov.org/PublicComment. Individuals wishing to comment on non-agenda items may register to speak in person or by calling the public comment line (dial 855.695.3475 and press *3 to reach the operator). Speakers for agenda items may also register early using the new form. Online registration begins at 8 a.m. on the Friday before the next scheduled regular council meeting and ends at noon on the day of the meeting.

Council meetings take place in the Aurora Municipal Center’s Council Chamber, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, which opens at 6 p.m. on the day of the council meeting. Enter the building through the east doors facing Chambers Road. Meetings also may be viewed live on Aurora Comcast cable channels 8 and 880 or at AuroraTV.org.

For more information regarding public comment, visit AuroraGov.org/PublicComment, contact the City Clerk’s Office at 303.739.7094 or by email at CityClerk@auroragov.org.

Have a comment, question, or need our assistance? Contact Access Aurora online, at 303.739.7000, or via iOS or Android app.

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