Aurora, Co. - a Series of Planned Communities

The town of Aurora goes back to 1891, and was adevelopment modeled it around Mission Viejo,
rather small community till after WW II. However, itCalifornia, including characteristic "Barcelona" entrance
rapidly expanded as the city south and east ofwalls and "Mission Bell" street lights. The development
Denver, and today has a population of over 275,000,opened in September of 1972. Local transportation
more than half that of Denver. It is part of the Denverneeds can be met by several highways and the E-470
metropolitan area, of over 2.4 million people, and isbeltway. The Regional Transportation District's light rail
convenient for travelers, being right next to the Denvertransit system was extended to serve the
International Airport. Neighborhoods for Aurora homessouthwestern edge of Aurora on November 17, 2006.
include The Dam East, The Dam West, FitzsimonsAn extension of light rail along I-225 through the city is
Campus, Mission Viejo, Original Aurora - Aurora'splanned to connect with a commuter rail line between
"downtown", Stapleton and the Buckley Air Forcedowntown Denver and Denver International Airport
base. Aurora has grown over the past 40 years as a(DIA), by 2015. The Denver Metropolitan FasTrack
series of development communities. For example,system is being expanded 119 miles, with six new lines
Mission Viejo occupied what was formerly a farm ofand the extension of two existing rail lines. The 14-year
640-acres, or about 1 square mile, by Quincy Avenueproject will cost almost $5 billion.
and Chambers Road. The company that built the