Coffman has experience, leadership qualities Aurora needs in a mayor.
The excitement is brewing in Aurora. Next month, America’s 54th most populous city is electing a new mayor. The blossoming city is no longer just a bedroom community to Denver.
To fill the shoes of former Mayor Steve Hogan, who passed away last year, the incoming mayor will need to be ready to take on the city’s unique opportunities, which are also its greatest challenges.
Aurora is one of the most diverse in the country. Nearly 20% of its residents are foreign-born, with the largest portion of the immigrant population coming from Mexico, followed by Ethiopia, El Salvador and Korea. Over one-third of the city’s land is undeveloped, including prime real estate next to Denver International Airport. From the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, to Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center, to Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora is positioned for economic success, and gentrification.
Aurora’s urban core is under immense pressure pushing in from Denver’s development boom, and its diverse populations are highly vulnerable to the effects of gentrification. As we all know too well, with growth comes traffic, congestion and the displacement of vulnerable populations. This is what makes this election so crucial.
Fortunately, the race is nonpartisan. This is ultimately why mayors, unlike our federal and state elected officials, get things done. They’re not playing partisan politics. And, unlike Denver, there is no run-off.
The talented pool of candidates reflects the rich diversity of the city and includes Ryan Frazier, Marsha Berzins and Renie Peterson, all current or former Aurora City Council members; former Congressman Mike Coffman; and Omar Montgomery, an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado Denver and director for the Center for Identity and Inclusion.
One candidate’s experience stands out amongst this impressive group: Mike Coffman. I have known Coffman since serving together in the Colorado legislature in the 90s. We sat on different sides of the aisle and we didn’t always see eye to eye on issues. I have never endorsed him as he ran for public office. So, what’s changed?
First, times are different. With Washington, D.C.’S, dysfunction, some of the most important decisions have been left to cities and states. Local governments are taking the lead on numerous issues like transportation and infrastructure, immigration and education.
Mike Coffman has unique state and federal relationships that will help him attrac infrastructure and transportation funding. Where the state has been unable to solve the transportation crisis, Coffman wants to help convene the Metro Mayors Caucus on innovative regional solutions.
Since his time in the legislature, Coffman has consistently worked to connect with his constituents. While he recently lost his congressional election in the 2018 Democratic tsunami, it wasn’t because of his failure to connect with his community. He was one of a few Republicans who fought to support the path to citizenship for DACA recipients, and the path to permanent residency for those under temporary protected status.
He has vowed if elected mayor to fight for Aurora’s immigrant community and fight displacement by supporting affordable housing techniques such as inclusionary housing policies.
As state treasurer, Coffman worked with the financially distressed school districts of St. Vrain and Elizabeth to balance their budgets, without cutting the number of teachers.
He also came up with and led the effort to replace the VA construction management team with the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the hospital.
As a life-long public servant, Coffman has been a dedicated military leader and government official, serving in the legislature, as state treasurer and secretary of state before serving 10 years in Congress. In 1990, Coffman took a leave of absence from the legislature and volunteered to deploy with the Marines for Operation Desert Shield/desert Storm. He retired as a major with 20 years of military service.
Coffman’s experience also spans the private sector, where he ran a successful small business for nearly two decades. His private sector experience in property management will also help him work on affordable housing issues in Aurora.
Coffman is committed to more balanced growth in Aurora, including equitable distribution of open space, parks, and trails and new multimodal transportation opportunities.
As Aurora prepares for its next chapter of growth, it needs a proactive leader with a demonstrated record of success.
Doug Friednash is a Denver native and a partner with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.