With the launch of Aurora’s Technology Strategic Plan in 2018, the City set upon a course that has expanded its moniker from the ‘City of Lights’ to the ‘City of Light Speed.’   

Providing a roadmap for the City to advance its strategy with technology and to position the City of Aurora as a regional technology leader, the plan has been the foundation for unprecedented progress in technology. It has now been updated to reflect actions and advances before and amid the pandemic. 

“This update has been long-planned as part of our commitment to transparency and accountability,” said Mayor Richard C. Irvin. “However, it also provides the opportunity to highlight our fast-paced and agile approach to unforeseen events with the pandemic and the connected technology challenges and needs.” 

The revised City’s Technology Strategic Plan 2020 – Q1 2021 provides a snapshot of the City’s recent accomplishments with two years of measured progress in such areas as: 

• Public Safety Modernization- with the implementation of the new computer-aided dispatch system and web-based record management systems for the police and fire departments, and more. 

• Cybersecurity Improvements - with the implementation of a robust cybersecurity plan and associated policies. 

• Infrastructure Modernization - through replacing outdated and underperforming infrastructure and invested in resilient, new technologies across departments. 

• Covid-19 Response - with a comprehensive plan, including establishing a remote work environment for hundreds of employees, facilitating virtual meetings for City Council, maintaining a COVID-19 dashboard accessible information, implementing temperature-screening modules in City buildings, and launching the No Child Left Offline initiative to bridge the digital divide for students, particularly in impacted communities. 

“Technology can increase engagement between government and its citizens,” said Aurora Chief Information Officer Michael Pegues. “As we inform community members, we simultaneously drive public safety, education, economic development, innovation and quality of life. We are learning to become the smartest city in America each day with each initiative and through each advanced interaction.”

The revised City’s Technology Strategic Plan 2020 – Q1 2021 is available for review and download at www.smartaurora.com.