New fulfillment site in Aurora has lots of jobs to fill

Amazon’s first fulfillment center in Colorado is expected to open next month in Aurora, but the Seattle company said it’s nowhere close to the staffing it needs for the busy holiday shopping season.

“We’re still looking for hundreds to apply,” Amazon spokeswoman Ashley Robinson said. “We’re seeing good outreach (to job candidates), but we need at least 1,000 fulfillment associates at peak.”

The 1 million-square-foot fulfillment center will stock large items, such as boxes of diapers, patio furniture and musical equipment. When doors open, training will start to ramp up for the holidays, Robinson said.

The warehouse joins an Amazon sorting center, also in Aurora. A third facility, which would include robots alongside humans, is expected to open in Thornton next year.

On Amazon’s local job page, at amazon.com/denverjobs, the company is looking for full-time warehouse workers who

can lift up to 49 pounds. The gig, which pays $12.50 an hour, comes with health care benefits that start immediately.

The company, which expects to complete its acquisition of grocer Whole Foods on Monday, stands to receive $1.18 million in economic incentives from the city of Aurora. Those kick in after Amazon creates at least 900 full-time jobs with an average salary of $30,297.

“Of the facilities Amazon has planned for this year, we have three of those in Adams County and, of course, two of those in Aurora alone,” said Andrea Tilliss, marketing manager for Aurora Economic Development Council and Accelerate Colorado. “Because of the relationship they have in Adams County and the city of Aurora, we’ve been able to bring jobs into our community. And they’re high-quality jobs and a great opportunity for our workforce.”