Two Young Aurora Council Members Aim to Reshape City Politics

“Why I show up,” said Gianina Horton, Aurora City Council Ward 1 representative, about why she ran for office, “is because I know how important representation is, and it matters, especially as a woman of color or a girl of color, to see ourselves in spaces and positions that we may have never seen before.

Aurora is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Colorado, home to residents who speak more than 200 languages and come from communities across the globe. For many residents, the city’s neighborhoods, restaurants and community gatherings represent a vibrant cross-section of cultures.

But Aurora has also long struggled with its public image. News coverage of crime and political conflict has sometimes overshadowed the city’s diversity and strong community networks. Two members of Aurora’s newest city council say they want to help change that narrative.

Alli Jackson is an at-large councilmember, and just like Horton, she is a part of a younger generation of local leaders who say representation, accountability and community engagement must be central to Aurora’s future. Both women, elected in November 2025, are among several progressive candidates who helped shift the political balance of Aurora’s city council. 

Horton and Jackson’s victories are part of a broader movement among voters seeking new leadership and a different tone in local government. Together with fellow council members Amy Wiles and Rob Andrews, they represent a cohort that has emphasized coalition-building and community-driven policymaking.

“Aurora’s a very progressive place, a very inclusive place, a very safe place overall for folks,” Jackson said. “But that’s not to say there are not, you know, incidents and things that happen in pockets, but I think we’re trending in the right direction.”

At 34, Horton is a fifth-generation Colorado native who brings experience in criminal justice policy to the role. Since December 2022, she has worked with the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, focusing on youth justice and reducing racial disparities.

Growing up, Horton said she rarely saw herself reflected in political leadership. Seeing other women of color eventually step into positions of power changed her perspective and helped her realize that political systems could be reshaped from within.

“When we have diverse voices in these spaces, we can change the outcomes for our communities,” Horton says.

Her policy priorities have centered on issues such as affordable housing, police accountability and protecting immigrant communities. In Ward 1, Horton said she has focused on addressing concerns about gentrification, ensuring longtime residents and small businesses are not pushed out of neighborhoods they have helped build.

Despite the challenges Aurora faces, Horton said her goal is to encourage greater civic participation and make local government feel more accessible to residents.

“I wanted to take on the challenge of showing up for the community in this way and to really demystify a process that for so many feels out of reach,” Horton said.

Ward 1 reflects much of the diversity Horton says she hopes to represent. She has emphasized ongoing community conversations and engagement to ensure city decisions reflect the experiences of residents who have longstanding ties to the area.

“I’ve always been a fierce competitor of the things that I love and care about,” Horton said. “You don’t threaten the things you love; you fight for them.”

Jackson’s path to leadership followed a different route, shaped by her work in social work and community advocacy. Raised in Aurora, Jackson, also in her 30’s, said representation has always been central to how she thinks about public service. She views leadership as an opportunity to advocate for communities that have historically been underrepresented in local government.

“It’s a lot of pressure and responsibility,” Jackson said, “but it’s also such a privilege.”

When Jackson took office as an at-large councilmember in November 2025, she said she wanted to focus on strengthening support systems for residents experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges.

While both council members say they are focused on building stronger connections between residents and local government, stepping into leadership has not come without challenges.

In recent years, Aurora’s city council has often been marked by political tension and public disagreements. For new members like Horton and Jackson, entering that environment has meant learning how to navigate complex debates while also representing the needs of their constituents.

“One thing I do want to say is governing is very different from organizing, activism, and running a campaign in the sense that there are so many more hoops to jump through to get things done,” Horton said. “I’m a new council member on top of that, so I’m just trying to learn the lay of the land. And there are people out there, it’s politics; it’s a game of war, so there are people out there who do not have your best interest at heart. You have to always kind of be on the lookout.”

Despite those challenges, Horton and Jackson say they remain committed to ensuring that Aurora’s growth includes the people and communities that have long called the city home. Both encourage residents to take part in public conversations about development, neighborhood priorities and representation in city government.

“Politics is for everybody,” Jackson said. “As long as you are a human being living on this planet, you are entitled to hold a position of office.”

Horton and Jackson say they want to make sure Aurora’s growth is inclusive and that the people who define the city continue to have a say in its future.

“I just have to show up every day for them,” Jackson said. “I want to see more community first, less barriers and a better relationship between the city and our community members.”