AURORA | Mayor Bob LeGare is hoping he’ll get to hand over his seat to Mike Coffman, a former Aurora congressman and now-candidate for mayor.
LeGare endorsed Coffman for the position this week, saying he “will make a great mayor because he has the leadership, the dedication, and the vision to keep our city moving in the right direction.
LeGare, who was first elected to city council in 1995, was serving as an at-large council member when former mayor Steve Hogan died last year. LeGare was appointed to the seat by his peers on the city council.
LeGare said he would not run for mayor at the end of his term, which expires in November.
“What impresses me the most about Mike is his background of leadership in the military, as an Aurora-based small business owner, and in leading two departments of state government as their executive director. Aurora is now the third largest city in Colorado and the 54th largest city in the United States, and Mike’s proven leadership will be needed to help shape Aurora’s future,” LeGare said in a statement.
Coffman and LeGare were both involved in the Aurora Government Affairs Committee on the Aurora Board of Realtors in the early 80s. Then, Coffman, who grew up in Aurora, had returned from serving in the Marines.
Coffman went on to serve in the state House, Senate, as state Treasurer and Secretary of State. For the last decade he’s served as Aurora’s representative to Congress. He lost his seat in 2018 to Democrat Jason Crow.
Also announced for the open mayoral seat are Councilwoman Marsha Berszins, former council members Ryan Frazier and Renie Peterson and Aurora community activist Omar Montgomery.
— KARA MASON, Staff Writer