SOAE 2020: This is Aurora
Mark Green
Posted January 24, 2020
There might not be a better example of the broad, empowering effects of abundant U.S. natural gas and oil than Aurora, Colorado. The city has emerged from Denver’s shadow on the strength of more than a dozen thriving business sectors – with energy underlying growth. It’s why API’s 2020 State of American Energy report profiled Aurora and six other communities to show how natural gas and oil are fundamental to economic expansion, job creation and rising opportunity across the U.S.
Kevin Hougen, Aurora Chamber of Commerce president, describes the city as diverse culturally and in industry, which is attracting new people from a range of career paths, from bio-science and healthcare to cybersecurity, aerospace and the military. Take a look at our Aurora video:
Aurora benefits from a lot of home-grown energy, as Colorado is the nation’s 7th-largest energy producer. Energy is a top reason Colorado is doing well. Economist and University of Colorado Denver professor Michael Orlando:
“Colorado’s economy exhibits more diversity than the industrial balance of the nation. … The natural gas and oil industry is an important sector that helps to maintain economic stability throughout the Denver metro area, and the entire state of Colorado.”
Natural gas and oil play a big role in the economic vitality of Colorado’s 6th Congressional District, where Aurora is located:
Yet, the benefits of natural gas and oil are broader than industry jobs and revenue contributions to public treasuries. Energy facilitates broader growth and expanded opportunity, which Aurora is seeing in new development including the nearby Colorado Air and Space Port, the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center and other projects. Colorado Petroleum Council Executive Director Lynn Granger:
“Colorado’s abundant energy resources are keeping costs down for working families and creating opportunities not only within the industry, but for businesses as diverse as restaurants and engineering firms. Advancing policies that support, rather than hinder, this progress while reducing emissions is critical to Colorado’s economic growth and long-term prosperity.”
Read the in-depth profile of Aurora here. Others in this series:
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.