Family Matters

Kathy, the youngest of five, two brothers and two sisters, grew up in Kirkegaard Acres, in what is now east Aurora in a home her mother and father built. Her father, a diesel mechanic started his own business in the mid 1960’s and moved the family to Salida, Colorado in 1973. Kathy and her husband of 25 years, Tim, returned to the Aurora home to start their family in the early 80’s. They have a son, Jason, graduate of Rangeview High School, and 2007 graduate of CU, and a daughter, Rachael, also a graduate of Rangeview and a Junior at Metro State College.

Leadership Experience

Aurora City Council

Kathy served on the Aurora City Council as your Ward II representative from 1997 until 2005. Kathy served as Mayor Pro Tem in 2004.

• Kathy‘s commitment to families and their safety led her to sponsor legislation to restrict group homes for registered sex offenders in our neighborhoods.
• Kathy found ways to keep the Chambers Branch Library open while the City budget was being cut. This library is an important source for information and internet access for many in the surrounding neighborhood.
• Kathy formed a community action group of neighbors and business owners that developed a strategic plan for future development and redevelopment of East Colfax.
• Kathy worked for programs and strategic plans that would ensure a reliable and expanded water supply for Aurora’s future.

Community Service

Kirkegaard Acres Neighborhood Association – Past President, Treasurer

Secured City of Aurora Grant for planting trees along the Highline Canal

Volunteered countless hours in churches, schools, community events.

Downtown Visual Arts – Board of Directors – (1997-2003)
A non-profit art organization designed for kids.
www.davarts.org

Business

Kathy has successfully managed a small business in Aurora for twenty-five years.

• Member Aurora Chamber of Commerce (2005-2008)
• Aurora Economic Development Council ( 2000 – present honorary member)
• Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (2000-2005)
• Board of Directors DIA Business Partnership (1997 – 2000)

Environment

Metropolitan Waste Water Reclamation District (1995 – present)
www.metrowastewater.com
Currently a member of the Board of Directors Executive Committee, Chair of Farm Committee, member Future Programs, and Transition Planning Committee.

Kathy appointed as a citizen’s representative to the board in 1995 by the Aurora City Council. Over the past thirteen years, as part of the Board of Director’s, she has worked on programs to protect and improve the water quality in the South Platte River Basin.

Kathy currently chairs the committee, which oversees the recycling of biosolids for agricultural uses.

Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership (2001-present)
www.sandcreekgreenway.org
A non-profit collaboration between Aurora, Denver and Commerce City to establish a bike/walking trail along the Sand Creek waterway from Colfax to it’s confluence with the South Platte River at 64th and York.

In addition:

• Kathy initiated the Annual Highline Canal Cleanup. Now 10 years running with over 400 volunteers annually to keep our waterways free of trash.
• Brokered a major open space acquisition on the Sand Creek open space for the City of Aurora.
• Chaired a citizen’s committee on the design of a “signature park” for the City of Aurora at Alameda and Airport Boulevard.

Recipient  -  Aurora Women “Sculptors of Our Community” Award in 2004 by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce Women in Business for significant contributions to Aurora’s political, social, and service endeavors which have shaped Aurora into the community it is.