Ajha Fox, Aurora’s poet laureate. PHOTO VIA AURORA HISTORY MUSEUM 
Jovan Mays stands for a portrait outside of his home, Feb. 9, 2021. Mays is the former Poet Laureate for Aurora. Portrait by PHILIP B. POSTON/Sentinel Colorado 
Aurora Poet Laureate Assetou Xango recently received a grant from the Academy of American Poets to further her existing work with Aurora Public Schools. Portrait by PHILIP B. POSTON/Sentinel Colorado
AURORA | Applications for the City of Aurora’s next Honorary Poet Laureate close July 12 as officials seek a local poet to serve a four-year term beginning in August.
Managed by the Aurora Public Library, the Honorary Poet Laureate program recognizes literature as an important part of the city’s shared and diverse culture while providing a local poet an opportunity to promote poetry and engage with the community.
The selected poet will serve through August 2030. Candidates must be Aurora residents who are at least 18 years old, have published poetry, participate in an interview with the selection committee and be willing to write and read poems at city events. The poet also must be available to attend city events as designated.
Applicants must submit a letter of interest outlining their professional accomplishments, community outreach activities related to poetry and professional resources, along with up to 10 samples of their work, including a sample event poem.
A selection committee led by the Aurora Public Library Board of Trustees will interview candidates in July before choosing a finalist. The selection will then be presented to the Aurora City Council for final confirmation and swearing in.
The Honorary Poet Laureate program was established in 2013 to highlight Aurora’s literary artists and foster community connections through poetry.
Since its creation, the city has appointed three poets: Jovan Mays, who served from 2014 to 2017; Assetou Xango, who served from 2017 to 2020; and Ahja Fox, whose term runs from 2022 to 2026.
City officials said all three have gone on to publish their work and perform at various events after serving as poet laureate.
More information about the program and the application process is available at AuroraGov.org/Poet.