Together We Keep Aurora Beautiful is a citywide initiative to enhance the beauty of our neighborhoods through volunteer service, community events and collaborative city programs. Join us in making Aurora a more vibrant and welcoming place to live, work and play by organizing beautification projects, hosting block parties and taking advantage of other opportunities below.
How to Participate
- Organize an Event: Gather your friends, family and neighbors to plan a beautification project and/or block party in your community. See the "Connect" section on this page for more information.
- Explore Other Opportunities: See the list below for some other ways you can contribute to a better Aurora.
- Share Your "Together" Story: Use #TogetherAurora on social media, and stay tuned for yard signs to promote your neighborhood's efforts.
TOGETHER, we clean
Volunteer Open Space Stewards
Open Space Stewards provide essential support for the mission of the city's Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department through trail and natural area clean-ups, prairie restoration, garden work and more. Learn more about the Open Space Steward program and sign up to be a volunteer.
Adopt-a-Street program
The Adopt-A-Street program encourages residents and organizations to take an active role in helping keep streets free of litter. Volunteers agree to remove litter from a minimum of 1 mile of selected roadway for a period of one year. Beautification bags with materials to support cleanup efforts are available to support the program. Learn how to sign up to Adopt-a-Street.
Graffiti Off Neighborhoods
The Graffiti Off Neighborhoods unit cleans graffiti off residences, fences, residential garages and outbuildings free of charge. Report graffiti to Access Aurora, and learn more about the Graffiti Off program.
High Line Canal Cleanup
The High Line Canal Conservancy hosts multiple cleanup activities for the 11-mile stretch of canal that winds through Aurora. Help reduce the amount of trash that enters Sand and Toll Gate creeks in Aurora by volunteering for the High Line Canal Cleanup.
TOGETHER, we beautify
Neighborhood Improvement Grants
The city's Neighborhood Improvement Grant program allows residents to apply for up to $5,000 for projects that improve a neighborhood’s physical condition, enhance pride and identity, increase neighborhood communication, or bring new assets to the neighborhood that foster gathering and positive experiences. Learn about the application process and view previous Neighborhood Improvement Grant recipients.
Code Enforcement
Aurora's Code Enforcement is committed to the safety and livability of Aurora's residences, businesses and neighborhoods. Code Enforcement promotes self-reliance toward a positive physical image of the city and works hard to find ways to get residents to work together so everyone can be a part of the solution. Report Code Enforcement issues to Access Aurora, and learn more about the Code Enforcement process.
Community gardens
Community gardens are shared green spaces created and cultivated by volunteers to grow vegetables, fruits and herbs for personal or community use. Aurora has 24 public community gardens. Check out available community gardens, and learn how to start your own.
City trees
Aurora’s Forestry Division cares for nearly 35,000 city street trees as a free service to residents. Plant a legacy by adding a free city tree to your property. New trees are planted every spring. See whether you may be eligible for a city tree, and fill out an online application.
TOGETHER, we conserve
Recycling opportunities
Whether you're looking to recycle traditional materials like cardboard, glass or plastics, or looking for more specialized recycling for batteries, yard waste, mattresses, electronics or household chemicals, the city has a full list of recycling opportunities available to residents to make it easy to cut down the amount of items ending up in landfills.
Water use assessments
Aurora Water offers free outdoor water assessments to look for inefficiencies and offer recommendations, as well as DIY guidebooks for conducting your own indoor and outdoor water assessments. Sign up for a water assessment online.
Aurora Water rebates
Aurora recognizes the importance and scarcity of water in Colorado and encourages conservation by offering many water-saving programs to ensure a sustainable supply. Check out Aurora Water's available rebates for drought-tolerant landscapes, high-efficiency toilets, irrigation systems, and more.
Conservation classes
Aurora Water offers free in-person and on-demand classes about efficient watering, water-wise landscapes, drought-tolerant plants and more. Check out a list of upcoming and self-paced conservation classes, and learn more about sustainable landscapes with the city's Water-wise Garden.
TOGETHER, we connect
Block parties
Block parties are a fun and terrific way of getting to know your neighbors and build stronger, healthier and more cohesive communities. Block party season runs May to October, and block party permits allow organizations to barricade streets to host the celebration.
Clean-up events
Get together with your neighbors to organize a clean-up event in your community. A block party permit is required for events held in the neighborhood right of way, and a temporary use permit is required for events held in a city park. Fees are waived for all beautification projects.
Neighborhood registration
By registering your neighborhood or community group through the city portal, you will receive notices regarding nearby proposed developments, have the opportunity to comment on those applications, and qualify to apply for neighborhood grant opportunities or book meeting room space at libraries and fire stations for free.
Neighborhood mini-grants
Neighborhood mini-grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis to support neighborhood activities, such as printing of event flyers, purchase of food for neighborhood activities, or purchase of supplies for clean-up events. Learn about the different types of neighborhood mini-grants and how to apply.