Mayoral election in Aurora, Colorado (2019)

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2021
2017
2019 Aurora elections
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Election dates
Filing deadline: August 27, 2019
General election: November 5, 2019
Election stats
Offices up: Mayor and city council
Total seats up: 6 (click here for other city elections)
Election type: Nonpartisan
Other municipal elections
U.S. municipal elections, 2019

The city of Aurora, Colorado, held a general election for mayor on November 5, 2019. The filing deadline for this election was August 27, 2019.[1]

Mike Coffman won election in the general election for Mayor of Aurora.

Elections

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Candidates and results

General election

General election for Mayor of Aurora

The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of Aurora on November 5, 2019.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Mike_Coffman.jpg
Mike Coffman (Nonpartisan)
 
35.8
 
26,690
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/omar_headshot.jpg
Omar Montgomery (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
35.5
 
26,476
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/FrazierHeadShot2019JPG.JPG
Ryan Frazier (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
16.2
 
12,063
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/MarshaBerzins12.jpg
Marsha Berzins (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
10.7
 
8,015
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Renie_Peterson12.jpg
Renie Peterson (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
1.8
 
1,369
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Tiffany_Grays_March_2019_029-1_LI-min.jpg
Tiffany Grays (Nonpartisan) (Write-in) Candidate Connection
 
0.0
 
0

Total votes: 74,613
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Candidate Marsha Berzins was endorsed by the Aurora Police Association, the Apartment Association of Metro Denver, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 68, and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1290.[2]

Do you know of an official or organization that endorsed a candidate in this race? Let Ballotpedia know by email at [email protected].

Past elections

2015

See also: Aurora, Colorado municipal elections, 2015

The city of Aurora, Colorado, held elections for mayor and city council on November 3, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was August 27, 2015. Five of the ten city council seats were up for election.[3]

In the mayoral race, incumbent Steve Hogan ran unopposed.[4]

2011

The city of Aurora, Colorado held elections for mayor and city council on November 1, 2011. The mayor's seat, two at-large seats on the city council, and the Ward IV, Ward V, and Ward VI seats on the council were up for election.[5]

Steve Hogan defeated five other candidates to win the mayoral race.[5]

Mayor of Aurora, 2011
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngSteve Hogan 36.7% 14,584
Sheilah Thomas Davis 3.4% 1,359
Ryan L. Frazier 30.9% 12,277
Jude Sandvall 14.9% 5,905
Debbie Stafford 11.6% 4,607
Barbara Yamrick 2.5% 979
Total Votes 38,732
Source: Arapahoe County Elections, "Coordinated Election - November 1, 2011," accessed September 13, 2017

Additional elections on the ballot

See also: Colorado elections, 2019

What's on your ballot?
Click here to find out using My Vote

Mayoral partisanship

Once mayors elected in 2019 assumed office, the mayors of 65 of the country's 100 largest cities were affiliated with the Democratic Party. Out of the 31 mayoral elections that were held in 2019 in the 100 largest cities, five partisan changes occurred. Democrats gained three mayorships: two previously held by Republicans and one previously held by an independent. Republicans won one office held by an unaffiliated mayor, and one office where the incumbent's partisan affiliation was unknown.

In the elections in Phoenix, Arizona and Wichita, Kansas, Democrats won seats with Republican incumbents. In Wichita, Democrat Brandon Whipple defeated Republican incumbent Jeff Longwell. In Raleigh, North Carolina, a Democrat won a seat previously held by an independent. In Aurora, Colorado, a Republican succeeded an unaffiliated mayor. In Garland, Texas, a Republican succeeded a mayor with unknown party affiliation. Incumbents did not seek re-election in Phoenix, Raleigh, Aurora, or Garland.

Click here to learn more.

What was at stake?

Report a story for this election

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Candidate survey

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Candidate Connection

Marsha Berzins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Berzins' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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I am a current City Council Representative (10 years). I am a small business owner, mother of five children and I prioritize Public Safety for our residents. I want Aurora to be a city where people want to come to live, retire, and raise their children. We are a very diverse city which adds to our cultural richness. Aurora should be a place where our diverse population feels safe, can find a job and a home, and feels part of the community.

  • I have municipal leadership experience since I have been on Council for 10 years.
  • I want our diverse population to be safe, be able to find a job and a home, and be part of the community. My door will always be open to everyone no matter background or station in life.
  • As a small business owner,I understand how difficult it can be to to make a profit with the regulatios in place. I will listen to All.

I looked up to my grandmother because she was forgiving and compassionate. She was friendly and giving.

The first big historical event I remember was the shooting of John Kennedy. I don't remember my age.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.



Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Ryan Frazier completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Frazier's responses.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

Education, Public Safety, and Transportation

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, Job training, business growth, developing and redeveloping a city

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Colin Powell: He embodies integrity, servant leadership, and a willingness to do what he believes is right. I admire that.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Servant leadership, good government, free enterprise, fiscal responsiblity

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

A father, Businessman, U.S. Navy veteran, Co-founder of a school, former city councilman at-large, and always a voice for reason.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To govern for, of, and by the people. To listen to their needs, to understand differences and find common ground where possible. Most importantly, to get things done than improves the quality of life for our people.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A good, highly effective servant leader that always sought reason and common ground for the goof of the people and future generations to come.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Paper boy, 1 year

What happened on your most awkward date?

I think we both were thinking - "when will this be over?"

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Christmas. It's Christmas!

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Alchemist

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Taylor Swift: Delicate

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Balancing personal, business, and politics

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

To build and amazing city I must bring people together with a clear vision, honest leadership, and common purpose.

Mayors have many responsibilities, which vary from city to city. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your city?

Influencing people in politics, business, government, and community to work together to make things better.

If the mayor in your city is a member of the city council and there's a city manager appointed to handle the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe should be the mayor's top priority in office?

Building coalitions locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally to improve the quality of life of our people.

What do you love most about your city?

Its cultural and economic potential.

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Smart growth and fully capitalizing on the opportunities around the aerotropolis, fitzsimons redevelopment, and Buckley Air Force Base's expanding missions.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the state government?

Collaboration

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the federal government?

Collaboration

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Tiffany Grays completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Grays' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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My top 3 priorities if elected...
Facilitate and Implement Sustainable Economic Development Strategies
Ensure Equity and Equality for All
Ensure Safety and Opportunity for Our Children

Areas of public policy, I am most passionate about are...
Education equity to ensure each child receives a free and an appropriate education.
Affordable housing, and increased housing development that is fair and balance as Aurora grows.
Eliminating access barriers to services, employment, and housing for Aurora residents that have challenges re-entering the community due incarceration, addiction, or simply returning home after serving in the military.

Most important, it is remembering who you represent and who you work on behalf of as an elected official, additionally, maintaining ethical leadership standards that are fair and balanced for every constituent group. As Mayor, I will not value one constituent group over another. I will set the tone of transparency and collaboration all stakeholders from day in office.

Aurora needs a leader who is willing to stand for what is right, and who ultimately is willing to stand for the people of this city. My campaign was announced two short weeks ago, as it became clear to me that of all the candidate options available, none offered this fundamental duty to the people and residents of Aurora. I am a visionary. I am a driven, hardworking, advocate, and will bring these qualities to my office if elected.

Due to tremendous growth Aurora is experiencing now, the need to activate sustainable economic development and an effective education development strategy to harness our growth that works for all residents in our City of Aurora is imperative. Such growth should encourage long-term residency, establish inclusive policies, and improve the quality of life for all our residents. NO ONE should be left behind.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.



Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Omar Montgomery completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Montgomery's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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I spent my childhood in 1970's Los Angeles, where I experienced many challenges familiar to Aurora. My mother drove was a public bus driver, and later become a supervisor. My father worked as an educator both in the classroom, and as a volunteer tutor in community. |I moved to Aurora in 2002. Today, I am a professor at MSU Denver, and oversee an annual workshop teaching teenagers conflict resolution techniques, time management, and career planning. I now serve as Director of Educational Opportunity Programs at CU Denver, where I founded several youth leadership programs dedicated to nurturing high school and college students' individual civic engagement skills. I am involved in our city government in many ways. I participated in Colorado's Transforming Safety Initiative to bring new grants to North Aurora's small businesses, creating new economic opportunities for neighborhoods otherwise vulnerable to crime. I also continue to work directly with the Aurora Police Department's Citizens' Advisory Board and Key Community Response Team to improve law enforcement's relationships with communities. I am the board chairperson at the Village Exchange Center-a "one stop shop" supporting integration, engagement and empowerment of Aurora's immigrants and refugees. Finally, I serve as the President of Aurora's NAACP, but on a break while running for office. My vast experience directly serving Aurora's communities has given me vision and experience with Aurora's needs. I believe we unlock the most effective solutions to our city's challenges by empowering residents and small business owners in setting our city's priorities and approach to Bachelor's in Criminal Justice, and Dual Master's in Education Administration and Public Administration. Finally, I am blessed to have a beautiful partner Regina, son Evan, and dog Marley.

  • Housing: We need to work with community and developers to increase our options for rent and home ownership for more Aurora families.
  • Transportation: We need a city government who will proactively respond to traffic gridlock, streets in disrepair, and who will be an advocate for more public transportation options (affordability and routes)for all Aurorans.
  • Youth: We need to support our young people by including our school districts and parents in city planning, as well as by providing more after school, mentorship, and technical education programs.

I am passionate about policies to improve our city's governmental operations, including policies for more transparency in our governmental decision-making -- including campaign finance and lobbying disclosure policies. With a transparent and open city government we will be able to support policies and programs the community needs and wants mentioned above. We need leadership who will put our families, communities, and businesses rooted and invested in Aurora, first.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.



Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Renie Peterson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Peterson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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? Renie Peterson served 12 years as a Ward II Council Member and termed out of office in 2017. Two of these years she served as Mayor Pro Tem. ? Renie Peterson is a third generation Colorado native and a lifelong Adams County resident. ? Renie Peterson comes from a multi-generation military family. Both her husband and father are Air Force veterans. Renie's father Robert Reposa was a 33-year career service veteran fighting in Korea, World War II and Vietnam. Her husband Brian is also a Vietnam veteran. ? Renie Peterson is a community activist and family advocate who has represented needy families and troubled youth in Aurora for the past 20 years.

Always considering how a decision that's made today will effect the future 10 to 15 years out.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.




About the city

See also: Aurora, Colorado

Aurora is a city in Colorado. It spans three counties. These are Arapahoe County, Adams County and Douglas County. As of 2010, its population was 325,078.

City government

See also: Council-manager government

The city of Aurora uses a council-manager system. In this form of municipal government, an elected city council—which includes the mayor and serves as the city's primary legislative body—appoints a chief executive called a city manager to oversee day-to-day municipal operations and implement the council's policy and legislative initiatives.[6][7]

Demographics

The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.

Demographic Data for Aurora, Colorado
Aurora Colorado
Population 325,078 5,029,196
Land area (sq mi) 154 103,636
Race and ethnicity**
White 60.4% 84%
Black/African American 16.5% 4.2%
Asian 6.5% 3.2%
Native American 0.9% 1%
Pacific Islander 0.4% 0.2%
Two or more 5.2% 3.7%
Hispanic/Latino 28.6% 21.5%
Bildung
High school graduation rate 87.7% 91.7%
College graduation rate 29.7% 40.9%
Income
Median household income $65,100 $72,331
Persons below poverty level 10.7% 10.3%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2010). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2014-2019).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


State profile

See also: Colorado and Colorado elections, 2019
USA Colorado location map.svg

Partisan data

The information in this section was current as of May 7, 2019

Presidential voting pattern

Congressional delegation

State executives

  • Democrats held 11 and Republicans held five of Colorado's 25 state executive offices. Elections for the other offices are nonpartisan.
  • Colorado's governor was Democrat Jared Polis.

State legislature

Colorado Party Control: 1992-2024
Twelve years of Democratic trifectas  •  Four years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Governor D D D D D D D R R R R R R R R D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
Senate R R R R R R R R R D D R R D D D D D D D D D D R R R R D D D D D D
House R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D D D R R D D D D D D D D D D D D

Colorado quick stats
  • Became a state in 1876
  • 38th state admitted to the United States
  • Colorado was the first state to legalize medicinal and recreational marijuana.
  • Members of the Colorado State Senate: 35
  • Members of the Colorado House of Representatives: 65
  • U.S. senators: 2
  • U.S. representatives: 7

More Colorado coverage on Ballotpedia:


Demographic data for Colorado
 ColoradoU.S.
Total population:5,448,819316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):103,6423,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:84.2%73.6%
Black/African American:4%12.6%
Asian:2.9%5.1%
Native American:0.9%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0.1%0.2%
Two or more:3.5%3%
Hispanic/Latino:21.1%17.1%
Bildung
High school graduation rate:90.7%86.7%
College graduation rate:38.1%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$60,629$53,889
Persons below poverty level:13.5%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Colorado.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Four of 64 Colorado counties—6 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
County Trump margin of victory in 2016 Obama margin of victory in 2012 Obama margin of victory in 2008
Conejos County, Colorado 3.56% 9.22% 12.93%
Huerfano County, Colorado 6.61% 8.27% 11.23%
Las Animas County, Colorado 15.60% 2.65% 7.04%
Pueblo County, Colorado 0.50% 13.99% 14.97%

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won Colorado with 48.2 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 43.3 percent. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, Colorado voted Republican 63.3 percent of the time and Democratic 36.7 percent of the time. Colorado voted Republican in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, but voted Democratic in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 elections.

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Colorado. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[8][9]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 37 out of 65 state House districts in Colorado with an average margin of victory of 27.3 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 40 out of 65 state House districts in Colorado with an average margin of victory of 24.8 points. Clinton won four districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 28 out of 65 state House districts in Colorado with an average margin of victory of 21.2 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 25 out of 65 state House districts in Colorado with an average margin of victory of 25.8 points. Trump won one district controlled by a Democrat heading into the 2018 elections.

See also

Aurora, Colorado Colorado Municipal government Other local coverage
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Seal of Colorado.png
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External links

Footnotes