Vintage-style illustration of East Colfax Avenue in Aurora, Colorado, featuring colorful vertical stripes and retro cars on the street. Artwork by Chris Beedy (@HowdyWild)

An Arts District for everyone.

Artwork by district resident, Chris Beedy (@HowdyWild)

what’s happening in the district?

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We welcome submissions for Arts and Culture events happening in Ward 1 through the form below. Please note that submitting does not guarantee approval.

Black and white street view with "EAST COLFAX" text and buildings. Artwork by Chris Beedy (@HowdyWild)

district History

In the early 2000’s the city began discussing the redevelopment of the area currently known as the Aurora Cultural Arts District. In October 2002, the city approved the Fletcher Plaza Urban Renewal Area and Plan (Attachment A) which laid out the redevelopment concept and goals for the area. The overall development concept for the plan included three major components:

1) Building a Civic and Cultural Core in the area (including the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, the Fox Arts Center and Fletcher Plaza)

2) Supporting the Arts (including support and development of arts studios and uses)

3) Developing urban residential and new retail space.

In 2012, at the direction of the City Council, staff conducted extensive public outreach to update and determine priorities in the area of the Colfax corridor (Colfax Corridor Study). The study confirmed the original goals of the Fletcher Plaza Urban Renewal Plan, with the public citing priorities in developing Arts and Entertainment uses and jobs and economic development as their highest priorities, followed closely by reducing poverty and increasing cleanliness and safety. Following the Study, the City Council reconfirmed the Fletcher Plaza Urban Renewal Plan and amended the plan to update the objectives; the plan was formally amended in June 2014.

In November 2021, the Aurora Cultural Arts District was awarded a “Creative District” designation by the State’s Colorado Creative Industries, which provides formal recognition and on-going support by the State of Colorado.

ACAD just got bigger

Today, ACAd is a creative diStrict in northwest aurora supported through a formal partnership between the City of Aurora and the Creative Alliance of Downtown Aurora (CADA). Together, they collaborate to foster economic vitality, support local artists, and enhance community life through public art, district-wide events, and strategic cultural development. ACAD includes the Aurora Fox Arts Center, The People’s Building, the Hornbein Building, the Fletcher Plaza and MLK Jr. Library.

In February 2026, the Creative alliance of downtown aurora voted to expand ACAD’s boundaries, welcoming Stanley Marketplace, Second Dawn Brewing and Central Park Collective into the district. The vote was confirmed by Aurora City Council in early May. The expansion connects Aurora’s historic East Colfax arts corridor with a growing network of creative businesses and community gathering spaces across the city.

Housed in a former aviation building in northwest aurora, stanley Marketplace is home to more than 50 locally owned restaurants, boutiques, wellness services and makers. Known for events like First Fridays featuring local artists, live music and late-night shopping, Stanley Marketplace has become a thriving destination for creativity and community connection.