Proposed financial cuts to the Aurora Civic Center Authority
The Issue
To the Honorable Members of the Aurora City Council,
I am writing to express my profound concern regarding the proposed financial cuts to the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA), which owns and operates the Paramount Theatre and its affiliated venues. While I understand the city of Aurora is facing significant financial challenges, as noted by Mayor John Laesch and Chief Financial Officer Stacy Peterson, I believe that drastically reducing support for the ACCA will have severe, long-lasting negative consequences for our community.
The Paramount Theatre is more than just a performance venue; it is a vital engine of economic activity and a cornerstone of Aurora’s identity. It draws tens of thousands of visitors downtown each year, who in turn support local restaurants, shops, and other businesses. As Ald. Carl Franco noted, "The engine, as we know, is the arts down here," and a strong arts scene directly translates into revenue and vitality for the entire city. Reducing the ACCA’s funding by up to 65%, as has been discussed, would likely force further cuts to programming and staff, weakening the very asset that brings people to Aurora. Ald. Patty Smith rightly pointed out that "The cuts are going to come back at us" as people who come to Aurora for the Paramount may stop visiting.
While the city has offered to assist with fundraising and other initiatives, this alone cannot fill a $7 million budget gap. The organization has already been forced to make difficult decisions, including reducing its full-time staff by 20% and placing the popular Bold Series on hiatus. These cuts have a direct impact on the quality of life in Aurora and the city's reputation as a destination.
The city's financial concerns, including the end of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, are valid. However, as Ald. Michael Saville suggested, a "soft landing to assist them, rather than something so drastic" is a more responsible approach. The question isn't whether funding should be cut, but how we can do it in a way that "doesn’t hurt their programming and doesn’t hurt the businesses and doesn’t hurt the economic activity that we’ve established here." The city has a responsibility to its residents to consider the full impact of these decisions, including the ripple effect on downtown businesses and the potential loss of a cultural landmark.
As a concerned community member, I urge you to reconsider the proposed cuts and work with the Aurora Civic Center Authority to find a more sustainable solution. The community has made its voice heard; as Ald. Jonathan Nunez stated, "upset is an understatement" when describing the constituent response. The support we give to the Paramount Theatre is a direct reflection of our community's values. Let’s not devalue what makes Aurora great.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Community Member of Aurora
24
The Issue
To the Honorable Members of the Aurora City Council,
I am writing to express my profound concern regarding the proposed financial cuts to the Aurora Civic Center Authority (ACCA), which owns and operates the Paramount Theatre and its affiliated venues. While I understand the city of Aurora is facing significant financial challenges, as noted by Mayor John Laesch and Chief Financial Officer Stacy Peterson, I believe that drastically reducing support for the ACCA will have severe, long-lasting negative consequences for our community.
The Paramount Theatre is more than just a performance venue; it is a vital engine of economic activity and a cornerstone of Aurora’s identity. It draws tens of thousands of visitors downtown each year, who in turn support local restaurants, shops, and other businesses. As Ald. Carl Franco noted, "The engine, as we know, is the arts down here," and a strong arts scene directly translates into revenue and vitality for the entire city. Reducing the ACCA’s funding by up to 65%, as has been discussed, would likely force further cuts to programming and staff, weakening the very asset that brings people to Aurora. Ald. Patty Smith rightly pointed out that "The cuts are going to come back at us" as people who come to Aurora for the Paramount may stop visiting.
While the city has offered to assist with fundraising and other initiatives, this alone cannot fill a $7 million budget gap. The organization has already been forced to make difficult decisions, including reducing its full-time staff by 20% and placing the popular Bold Series on hiatus. These cuts have a direct impact on the quality of life in Aurora and the city's reputation as a destination.
The city's financial concerns, including the end of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, are valid. However, as Ald. Michael Saville suggested, a "soft landing to assist them, rather than something so drastic" is a more responsible approach. The question isn't whether funding should be cut, but how we can do it in a way that "doesn’t hurt their programming and doesn’t hurt the businesses and doesn’t hurt the economic activity that we’ve established here." The city has a responsibility to its residents to consider the full impact of these decisions, including the ripple effect on downtown businesses and the potential loss of a cultural landmark.
As a concerned community member, I urge you to reconsider the proposed cuts and work with the Aurora Civic Center Authority to find a more sustainable solution. The community has made its voice heard; as Ald. Jonathan Nunez stated, "upset is an understatement" when describing the constituent response. The support we give to the Paramount Theatre is a direct reflection of our community's values. Let’s not devalue what makes Aurora great.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Community Member of Aurora
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Petition created on August 21, 2025