Situated in the prairie at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Aurora began as a rural farming community that mainly produced wheat and barley in the late 1880s. The town was originally referred to as the town of Fletcher after Denver businessman Donald Fletcher, who left the community with a substantial water debt following the 1893 Silver Crash.

In 1907, residents banded together to name rename the town to Aurora after one of the subdivisions composing the town. Aurora then blossomed, becoming the fastest-growing city in the country during the early 1980s.

In the present-day, Aurora leads the nation in redevelopment as it focuses on the progressive creation of new housing, recreational, and business plazas. Aurora is home to three military bases with a vibrant military heritage, including the Colorado Freedom Memorial, which honors over 6,000 Colorado veterans who have died or are missing in action; 100 parks, including the 4,000-acre Cherry Creek State Park; the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical campus; and a rich cultural arts district under 205 days of sunshine.