Each year the city of Aurora is recognized for many accomplishments and achievements in professionalism, quality and dedication to excellence. Awards and recognition from 2015 and 2016 include:

• No. 1 for Cities 300,000 - 599,999 in Population -- Wyland Foundation National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation

• National Re-accreditation Honors -- Aurora Fire Department (Commission on Fire Accreditation International), Aurora Police Department (Commission on the Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) and Building Division (International Accreditation Service)

• Excellence in Management Platinum Award (Aurora Water) and Sand Creek Water Reclamation Facility (Platinum Performance Award) -- National Association of Clean Water Agencies 

• Metro Vision Award, WISE Partnership -- Denver Regional Council of Governments 

• Bronze Award for Planning for Economic Development, Aurora Line, Phase 1 -- Denver Regional Council of Governments Local Government Award

• Excellence in Community Inclusion Award, Aurora Police Department Special Victims Unit -- Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council

• First Place for News Series, Aurora News Weekly -- National Association of Telecommunication Officers and Advisors Awards

• Aurora Water Phase IV "Excellence in Water Treatment" Designation for Peter D. Binney Purification Facility -- American Water Works Association Partnership for Safe Drinking Water

• City Website, Best in Class for Government -- Interactive Media Council

• Public Safety Training Center (CAPSTC), Best Government/Public Building in Colorado/Wyoming & Plains States -- ENR Mountain States

• Outstanding Achievement in Law Enforcement Volunteer Programs for the Aurora Police Department -- International Association of Chiefs of Police

• PIOs of the Year, Aurora Police Officers Diana Cooley and Crystal McCoy, and Best Digital Content, Aurora Police Department Media Relations Unit -- Emergency Services Public Information Officers of Colorado Association

• Phase IV Excellence in Water Treatment (Griswold Water Treatment Facility and Wemlinger Water Treatment Facility) and Phase III Directors Award (Peter D. Binney Purification Facility) -- Partnership for Safe Water

• Excellence in Management Gold Recognition (Aurora Water) and Platinum Peak Performance Award (Sand Creek Water Reclamation Facility) -- National Association of Clean Water Agencies

• Outstanding Water Laboratory Award (Aurora Water’s Water Quality Lab) -- American Water Works Association, Rocky Mountain Section

• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2015 Budget Book) and Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting (Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) -- Government Finance Officers' Association

• Savvy Award, Printed Publications, "The A-Book" -- City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA)

• Aurora ranked No. 1 Best Large Cities for Women in the Workforce from NerdWallet Finance

• Aurora Reservoir ranked No. 90 out of America's Top 100 Family Fishing and Boating Spots from the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation

• University of Colorado Hospital ranked the No. 1 best hospital in Denver metro area and the state

• Children's Hospital Colorado ranked the No. 9 best children’s hospital in the United States in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals list

• University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus ranked No. 8 for primary care in the United States in U.S. News and World Report's Best Medical Schools