I propose that the State Legislature allow Denver to annex the parts of Aurora that are in Adams County as far east as Tower Road. This area is the part of Aurora that is north of East Colfax Avenue and includes the University of Colorado Denver’s Anschutz Medical Campus and the Fitzsimons Life Science District.
While at first this annexation might seem like an illegitimate land grab, in fact this realignment would benefit Aurora, Denver, and the entire state.
Because it is a bigger city, Denver has more resources to devote to developing the area, especially the Anschutz Medical Campus and the surrounding blocks. Denver has more revenue than Aurora, gets more federal grants, and employs more urban development specialists. All these resources could be marshaled to benefit these newly annexed neighborhoods of Denver, a benefit that would spill over into Aurora.
For the better part of a century, Denver supported the University of Colorado Hospital, providing funding, police and fire services, transportation and more. Therefore, Denver deserves to have the hospital remain a part of the city. The annexation would right a wrong done when the hospital and other medical and research facilities were moved out of Denver.
The area in question is culturally more like Denver’s east Colfax corridor and less like the rest of Aurora, so, sociologically speaking, it really belongs in Denver. Much of the northern part of Aurora shares borders with the Stapleton redevelopment area and would garner more benefits from the redevelopment if it were part of Denver. Aurora’s western and northern borders through this area (along Yosemite St. and Montview Blvd.) unnaturally and arbitrarily divide the communities and neighborhoods located there.
Aurora’s elected officials proved themselves unworthy when they changed the name of a section of Ursula Street to “Aurora Court” on the Anschutz Campus. This silly act of territoriality and foot stomping showed that Aurora’s intentions are more political and commandeering, when the city should be more concerned with the long-term development of the area.
Also, Aurora demonstrated its unwillingness to support basic city services recently when it closed several of its branch libraries. The closures came despite Aurora’s promises to maintain one of the branches and despite the protests of many citizens. Denver has not closed any of its public library branches, a demonstration of the city’s commitment to providing needed municipal services.
If the Anschutz Medical Campus were a part of Denver, it would be easier to recruit nationally-ranked researchers to the campus than if it were part of Aurora. A Nobel laureate would more likely be attracted to a position in Denver than Aurora. New and relocating businesses too would be more likely to establish themselves in Denver than in Aurora because of the greater support and services Denver provides.
Realignments along county lines are not uncommon in Colorado’s history. In fact, as recently as 2001, portions of Jefferson, Boulder, and Adams counties were transferred to create Broomfield City and County.
By itself, Denver cannot annex a section of another city and county. The action requires legislation at the state level. For the betterment of Aurora, Denver, and the entire state, I ask the state house and senate to investigate this realignment and allow Denver to annex the northern part of Aurora.
Jeffrey Beall is an academic librarian. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is an online-only column and has not been edited.
