On Tuesday, March 18, over 100 community members gathered at North Middle School in Aurora for the Colfax Community Vision & Action Plan meeting led by Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA). The meeting aimed to present potential development models for East Colfax and gather community input on the best approach to managing growth and revitalization in the area.
Denver Justice Project participated as part of the Grassroots Leadership Coalition, a network of local organizations and community members who live, work in, or provide services to the East Colfax corridor. The coalition is participating in meetings and engaging with PUMA to ensure that the concerns of residents and small business owners remain central to this process.
The presentation outlined three possible models for structuring future development. Business Improvement Districts generate funding through taxes on businesses to support services like marketing, maintenance, and security. Community Development Corporations are nonprofit organizations that advocate for and provide local services, focusing on housing, small business support, and community programs. Downtown Development Authorities are quasi-public agencies with dedicated funding streams to finance long-term downtown revitalization efforts.
After the presentation, the floor opened for community feedback, where residents and business owners voiced concerns about displacement, affordability, and the lack of prior outreach regarding the meeting itself. Many attendees shared that they only learned about the event on the day of or just days before, raising concerns about transparency and accessibility in the planning process.
Denver Justice Project spoke during public comment, emphasizing that the chosen plan must not include increased police presence or additional funding to the Aurora Police Department. Citing data from APD’s 2023 Use of Force Report, DJP highlighted the growing trend of police violence in Aurora, particularly against Black and Latino residents, despite a decline in calls for police service. Instead of relying on policing as a solution, DJP called for investment in resources, housing, healthcare, and community-led safety initiatives.
Residents and small businesses must lead this process—not developers, consultants, or city officials prioritizing economic growth over community needs. Alongside the GLC, Denver Justice Project will continue to hold PUMA accountable and advocate for a development plan that centers public safety, affordable housing, local businesses, and community resources—rather than policies that endanger community members, punish poverty, and drive displacement.
