Liz Rogers, Aurora's government relations manager, presented the city's 2025 federal and state legislative priorities, outlining items across Space Force support, housing and homelessness, infrastructure, public safety and tax and licensing. Rogers told council: "So for the federal priorities from Buckley Space Force Base, we have 3. So advocating to keep Space Force Headquarters in Colorado" and listed additional federal positions on housing navigation-center funding, regulatory streamlining for economic development, and support for municipal technology and youth-violence programs.

On state priorities Rogers listed issues including construction litigation reform, opposing new state preemption of local and home-rule authority, support for the navigation center and water-related fixes. The presentation triggered extended council discussion about the city's response to state preemption. Council members and staff described coordination with neighboring cities; a staff member said municipalities face "creeping" preemption and that some cities, including Greenwood Village and Centennial, are exploring legal strategies. One staffer summarized an approach: "we could file a lawsuit against the state against every bill that goes against...our home rule authority, but our best bet and my advice from my office is we wait until we have the bill that makes sense." (transcript paraphrase)

Council debated whether the priority language should broadly oppose any new state preemption or take a more selective stance. Council member Verdi said the city should defend home-rule authority and noted constituent concerns about occupancy and local code enforcement. Council member Coombs urged caution about committing to a general approach given limited city resources for litigation.

At the conclusion of the discussion, Rogers asked whether council supported the 2025 state and federal legislative priorities. The mayor asked for objections; none were voiced and the council directed staff to proceed with the adopted priorities.

The priorities package will guide the city's lobbying and intergovernmental outreach during the 2025 legislative sessions; staff and outside counsel will continue monitoring bills that could affect municipal authority and return to council if they recommend changing positions or pursuing legal action.