City of Aurora, CO
10/31/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/31/2025 14:08
Aurora's 2026 Budget Expected to Pave the Way for 2 New Fire Stations
AURORA, Colo. - Aurora City Council is slated to appropriate funding in the city's 2026 budget and 2027 pro forma budget to open new fire stations in Ward II and Ward VI. These are major steps forward in strengthening fire and rescue services in Aurora's fast-growing communities over the next two years.
While the budget is still pending final approval, these investments represent a strong commitment to keeping pace with growth and ensuring the city has the fire and rescue resources needed to respond quickly and effectively.
"Despite economic headwinds and tight budget conditions, I applaud my fellow council members in having the vision to make strategic investments to bring additional fire services to northeast and southeast Aurora," said Mayor Mike Coffman. "These two new fire stations reflect our commitment to planning ahead, investing wisely and supporting the people who protect and serve our community every day. We need the community's support to make other projects like these a reality."
Fire Station 18 is expected to open in mid-2026 at the current site of The Aurora Highlands Visitor Center at 3930 E-470. Anticipated to open in 2027, Station 19 will serve southeast Aurora including the Blackstone and Southshore communities.
"We're encouraged to see Station 18 coming into focus," said Aurora Fire Rescue (AFR) Chief Alec Oughton. "This new facility will help us reduce response times, strengthen service coverage, and ease the strain on AFR personnel and resources as call volume steadily increases."
AFR's performance goals follow the National Fire Protection Association's standard of arriving on-scene at a structure fire within six-and-a-half minutes, 90 percent of the time. Current response times in parts of northeast and southeast Aurora are outside that benchmark.
"I am pleased that Station 18 is on the fast track to bring critically needed fire and emergency response services to Ward II," said Mayor Pro Tem Steve Sundberg. "This project underscores my commitment to ensuring this community has the resources it needs as it continues to grow."
After upgrading and renovating the Visitor Center to accommodate a full fire company, apparatus and equipment, The Aurora Highlands will vacate the space and transfer ownership to the city.
"As our community continues to grow, we expect about 60,000 people to call The Aurora Highlands home in the future," said Carla Ferreira, CEO of The Aurora Highlands. "Station 18 has always been part of the master plan and bringing it to life reflects the kind of thoughtful, long-term planning that makes a lasting impact. It's a critical addition to Aurora's public safety infrastructure and a milestone we're incredibly proud to reach."
To learn more about Build Up Aurora visit: EngageAurora.org/BuildUpAurora.
While the budget is still pending final approval, these investments represent a strong commitment to keeping pace with growth and ensuring the city has the fire and rescue resources needed to respond quickly and effectively.
"Despite economic headwinds and tight budget conditions, I applaud my fellow council members in having the vision to make strategic investments to bring additional fire services to northeast and southeast Aurora," said Mayor Mike Coffman. "These two new fire stations reflect our commitment to planning ahead, investing wisely and supporting the people who protect and serve our community every day. We need the community's support to make other projects like these a reality."
Fire Station 18 is expected to open in mid-2026 at the current site of The Aurora Highlands Visitor Center at 3930 E-470. Anticipated to open in 2027, Station 19 will serve southeast Aurora including the Blackstone and Southshore communities.
"We're encouraged to see Station 18 coming into focus," said Aurora Fire Rescue (AFR) Chief Alec Oughton. "This new facility will help us reduce response times, strengthen service coverage, and ease the strain on AFR personnel and resources as call volume steadily increases."
AFR's performance goals follow the National Fire Protection Association's standard of arriving on-scene at a structure fire within six-and-a-half minutes, 90 percent of the time. Current response times in parts of northeast and southeast Aurora are outside that benchmark.
"I am pleased that Station 18 is on the fast track to bring critically needed fire and emergency response services to Ward II," said Mayor Pro Tem Steve Sundberg. "This project underscores my commitment to ensuring this community has the resources it needs as it continues to grow."
After upgrading and renovating the Visitor Center to accommodate a full fire company, apparatus and equipment, The Aurora Highlands will vacate the space and transfer ownership to the city.
"As our community continues to grow, we expect about 60,000 people to call The Aurora Highlands home in the future," said Carla Ferreira, CEO of The Aurora Highlands. "Station 18 has always been part of the master plan and bringing it to life reflects the kind of thoughtful, long-term planning that makes a lasting impact. It's a critical addition to Aurora's public safety infrastructure and a milestone we're incredibly proud to reach."
To learn more about Build Up Aurora visit: EngageAurora.org/BuildUpAurora.
City of Aurora, CO published this content on October 31, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 31, 2025 at 20:08 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]