City of Aurora, CO
10/21/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/21/2026 11:16
Aurora designated Colorado’s American World War II Heritage city by National Park Service
The National Park Service designated the city of Aurora as an American World War II Heritage City, the only in Colorado, recognizing the community's significant contributions to the nation's World War II home-front efforts and its continued preservation of that history.
Aurora's selection followed a competitive, historian-led review process and final approval by the Secretary of the Interior. The designation places Aurora on the National Park Service's American World War II Heritage Cities website, providing national visibility for the city's historic sites, archives and commemorative programs. Only one city in each state receives the designation.
"Aurora's World War II legacy reflects the dedication of service members trained here and the commitment of residents who supported the war effort at home," said Mayor Mike Coffman, whose own father served in World War II and Korea. "This designation is an honor and reinforces our responsibility to ensure it is remembered and understood by future generations."
During World War II, Aurora served as a critical center for military training and medical care. Lowry Field trained more than 55,000 personnel in aerial photography, bombing, armaments and technical specialties. Buckley Field trained an additional 50,000 service members, including women and African Americans, for combat aviation roles. Fitzsimons General Hospital was among the first in the nation to receive casualties from Pearl Harbor and treated up to 5,000 patients at a time.
Aurora residents also played a significant role in supporting the national war effort. Community members exceeded war bond goals, organized scrap drives, cultivated victory gardens and participated in civil defense training. Local youth contributed through agricultural work, clothing drives and volunteer activities benefiting wounded service members at Fitzsimons.
Today, Aurora continues to preserve and interpret its World War II history through the Aurora History Museum, historic landmarks, educational programming and commemorative events, such as Colorado Remembers and Veterans Salute.
Surviving buildings at Lowry Field, the guardhouses at Fitzsimons Hospital and the American War Mothers Memorial Home are among the city's notable historic resources. The Colorado Freedom Memorial and veterans' organizations further highlight the experiences of service members and civilians connected to Aurora's wartime contributions.
"This recognition provides new opportunities to engage residents and visitors with Aurora's World War II history," said Library and Cultural Services Director Ginger White Brunetti. "Through exhibitions, tours, partnerships and expanded educational resources, we will continue to share the stories that define this chapter of our community's past."
The application to obtain such designation was completed by the city's Historic Preservation Office, part of the Aurora History Museum and under the Library and Cultural Services Department umbrella.
The World War II Heritage designation will be celebrated later with a city proclamation at the upcoming Veterans Salute, signage at milestone locations and additional programs, lectures and partnerships. Details to be shared later by the Aurora History Museum on its social media (@AuroraHistoryCO) and website at AuroraMuseum.org.
About the American World War II Heritage City Program
Administered by the National Park Service, the American World War II Heritage City program was established in 2019 to recognize and ensure the continued preservation and importance of the history of the United States involvement in World War II. The program authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to bestow this honorary designation on only one city or local jurisdiction in each state and territory. Since 2020, designations have been made in 46 states and two territories, strengthening public understanding of the war's local impacts and advancing preservation of historically significant sites.
Aurora's selection followed a competitive, historian-led review process and final approval by the Secretary of the Interior. The designation places Aurora on the National Park Service's American World War II Heritage Cities website, providing national visibility for the city's historic sites, archives and commemorative programs. Only one city in each state receives the designation.
"Aurora's World War II legacy reflects the dedication of service members trained here and the commitment of residents who supported the war effort at home," said Mayor Mike Coffman, whose own father served in World War II and Korea. "This designation is an honor and reinforces our responsibility to ensure it is remembered and understood by future generations."
During World War II, Aurora served as a critical center for military training and medical care. Lowry Field trained more than 55,000 personnel in aerial photography, bombing, armaments and technical specialties. Buckley Field trained an additional 50,000 service members, including women and African Americans, for combat aviation roles. Fitzsimons General Hospital was among the first in the nation to receive casualties from Pearl Harbor and treated up to 5,000 patients at a time.
Aurora residents also played a significant role in supporting the national war effort. Community members exceeded war bond goals, organized scrap drives, cultivated victory gardens and participated in civil defense training. Local youth contributed through agricultural work, clothing drives and volunteer activities benefiting wounded service members at Fitzsimons.
Today, Aurora continues to preserve and interpret its World War II history through the Aurora History Museum, historic landmarks, educational programming and commemorative events, such as Colorado Remembers and Veterans Salute.
Surviving buildings at Lowry Field, the guardhouses at Fitzsimons Hospital and the American War Mothers Memorial Home are among the city's notable historic resources. The Colorado Freedom Memorial and veterans' organizations further highlight the experiences of service members and civilians connected to Aurora's wartime contributions.
"This recognition provides new opportunities to engage residents and visitors with Aurora's World War II history," said Library and Cultural Services Director Ginger White Brunetti. "Through exhibitions, tours, partnerships and expanded educational resources, we will continue to share the stories that define this chapter of our community's past."
The application to obtain such designation was completed by the city's Historic Preservation Office, part of the Aurora History Museum and under the Library and Cultural Services Department umbrella.
The World War II Heritage designation will be celebrated later with a city proclamation at the upcoming Veterans Salute, signage at milestone locations and additional programs, lectures and partnerships. Details to be shared later by the Aurora History Museum on its social media (@AuroraHistoryCO) and website at AuroraMuseum.org.
About the American World War II Heritage City Program
Administered by the National Park Service, the American World War II Heritage City program was established in 2019 to recognize and ensure the continued preservation and importance of the history of the United States involvement in World War II. The program authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to bestow this honorary designation on only one city or local jurisdiction in each state and territory. Since 2020, designations have been made in 46 states and two territories, strengthening public understanding of the war's local impacts and advancing preservation of historically significant sites.
City of Aurora, CO published this content on October 21, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 21, 2026 at 17:16 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]