AURORA — Candidates for Aurora mayor took aim at the proposed Gaylord hotel complex at a candidates forum on Friday.
During the debate, candidate Sheilah Davis blasted the current City Council for giving millions of dollars in incentives to Gaylord Entertainment Co. to build a 1,500-room Western-themed hotel complex in the city.
“I believe we gave away the farm with that one,” Davis said at the forum — sponsored by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce — at the Denver Airport Marriott at Gateway Park.
Davis is a founding member of Citizens for Responsible Aurora Government, a group that says it is dedicated to accountability, transparency and fiscal responsibility.
Current councilman Ryan Frazier, who also is seeking to become the city’s next mayor, said he wasn’t completely happy with how the Gaylord deal went down but that it would generate $284 million annually and create 3,200 jobs.
Another candidate, former councilman Steve Hogan, said he supports the Gaylord project but that any potential relocation of the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo next to it should only happen after Denver decides whether it wants to let the stock show move away.
“Then we weigh in,” Hogan said.
Luring businesses to the city — and keeping them — was the hot topic during the debate with the six candidates for mayor.
“I’ve created jobs in the city,” said Hogan, a former executive director of the E-470 Authority. “E-470 wouldn’t exist today without my efforts.”
Frazier asked fellow candidates to pledge to keep the mayor’s race positive — and they did. He also touted his work on several city initiatives to help small businesses and to work on regional projects. “I believe the city of Aurora can be a regional leader.”
Candidate Jude Sandvall said Aurora should be the city of choice for businesses looking in the metro area. “Our best path for recovery is helping our small businesses.”
The other candidates running for mayor are former state legislator Debbie Stafford and former Aurora Public Schools and RTD board member Barbara Yamrick.
During his days on the Aurora City Council, Hogan was a huge proponent of Aurora consolidating into a city and county. However, Hogan is now backing off that because of the current economic climate.
“Right now, it’s the wrong time, it’s the wrong place,” Hogan said.
Frazier said “there is merit having a conversation” about becoming a city and county but he would like to see a cost-benefit analysis first before he takes a stance on that issue.
Yamrick and Stafford said the city needs to ease up on regulations and fees to make it easier for businesses both new and old to locate and thrive in Aurora.
“Our permitting process is oftentimes very cumbersome,” Stafford said.
“It’s the regulations that are holding everybody up,” Yamrick countered.
The six are vying to succeed Mayor Ed Tauer, who is term-limited.
