There’s no way around it, “Downtown Development Authority” sounds dry and bureaucratic and right now its effects are theoretical when most people are thinking about how to make ends meet today. Yet, its impacts are imminent and could last for decades in NW Aurora.

The formation of a Downtown Development Authority (DDA) came out of the Colfax Community Vision and Action Plan (“the Colfax Plan”), which was launched in 2024 by the City of Aurora. The entire project was initiated to create an entity that would develop NW Aurora along the East Colfax Corridor. Multiple options were put on the table: a DDA, a Community Development Corporation (CDC) and a Business Improvement District (BID).

Since early 2025, FJNWA, as part of the Grassroots Leadership Council (GLC), has advocated for a community-driven process and for community-centric priorities to be included the Colfax Plan. In meetings hosted by the City and community meetings hosted by the GLC, residents repeatedly raised concerns that the Colfax Plan and the DDA would accelerate gentrification in the area.

The GLC made it clear in the City’s Colfax Plan working group and its own community conversations that existing communities, businesses and residents should be prioritized, rather than initiatives that would further gentrify NW Aurora. While the options provided by the City never came directly from community members, with consistent engagement in the process, the proposal for a Business Improvement District (BID) that would require an additional tax on residents and businesses was dropped. This leaves a DDA, approved last November in a special election, and CDC to move forward to carry out the Colfax Plan.

The DDA Board selection process is now under way with 33 eligible applicants initially reviewed, and 12 applicants being interviewed. The first round of public interviews were held on April 29th and were recorded. The second round will be held on May 5th (open to the public in person at the Aurora Municipal Center). Here is the interview schedule. Recordings will be available on May 6th. All feedback to the committee needs to be submitted to [email protected] by May 8th.

FJNWA sees the selection process for who is on the DDA Board as critical to ensuring the Board, and therefore the development plan, reflects community values over profit and to resist the pattern of gentrification that we’ve seen over and over again throughout Denver Metro and Aurora. FJNWA knows that which initiatives in the Colfax Plan are funded and which businesses and residents are prioritized by the DDA Board will have a direct impact on food security in an area whose residents are already struggling to make ends meet.

Since FJNWA emerged as a response to growing development pressure, displacement, and a lack of ownership over the local food system, we know the importance of engaging in the DDA Board selection process for this powerful body, which could either exacerbate or resolve the issues FJNWA was founded to address.

Please reach out to Caitlin Trent, [email protected] if you would like to get more involved.