Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan, 69, Dies In Home Hospice

AURORA, CO -- Funeral arrangements have been made for Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan, 69, who died Sunday of an unspecified cancer diagnosis. Hogan was remembered as a long-serving public servant, whose 34-year political career weathered Aurora's explosive growth spike to more than double the population. Hogan was also remembered forhis leadership during the 2012 Aurora theater mass shootings, when 12 people died and 70 were injured.

Hogan announced Wednesday that he was entering home hospice care after he had said March 26 that his cancer diagnosis would prevent him from running for office.

“Today Colorado lost a true friend in Mayor Steve Hogan,” said Gov. John Hickenlooper, on his website. “This was a man who went above and beyond to do right by the city he loved. He led the way to make Aurora the bustling, dynamic city it is today, and Colorado is better for it. He was that rare public servant who put people before party - my God, how we will miss him.”

Flags across the state were ordered to be flown at half-staff Monday.

Denver City Council President Albus Brooks tweeted Sunday, “He was a good friend and a strong leader in the region. He will be missed.”

During Hogan's 34 years of public service, the city more than doubled in population from 160,000 to 360,000. Aurora became known nationally as a city with affordable housing, plentiful jobs, ethnic and economic diversity and one of the top cities to "live the American Dream." Hogan, who focused on transportation during his career, also served as executive director of the highway authority during the development of the E-470 tollway.

Hogan started his career in politics by serving for one term as a Democratic state representative in 1974. Starting in 1979, he served six terms on the Aurora City Council, first elected to the mayor's office in 2011.

"Steve Hogan was a good man and a great friend," Denver Mayor Michael Hancock tweeted. "He also defined public service and consistently worked to serve his community. He has left an indelible impact on the future of Aurora, our region and our entire state, and he will be greatly missed by so many."

Hogan is survived by his wife Becky and children Timothy and Elizabeth Hogan, Megan Johnson, Anna Artrup and Stacie Loucks.

The Mayor Stephen D. Hogan Memorial Fund is being put in place by the city this week. Donations will be distributed to causes important to Hogan including, the University of Denver Stephen D. Hogan Scholarship Fund, the 7/20 Memorial Fund, the Aurora Korean Memorial Fund, and the Aurora History Museum.

Hogan's funeral will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. at Heritage Christian Center, 14401 E. Exposition Ave. in Aurora.

Steve Hogan was a good man and a great friend. He also defined public service and consistently worked to serve his community. He has left an indelible impact on the future of Aurora, our region and our entire state, and he will be greatly missed by so many. pic.twitter.com/Sfu7ZOMpZ1
— Michael B. Hancock (@MayorHancock) May" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/MayorHanco... 13, 2018

Hogan is survived by his wife Becky and children Timothy and Elizabeth Hogan, Megan Johnson, Anna Artrup and Stacie Loucks.

A statement from the city of Aurora on the passing of our beloved Mayor Stephen D. Hogan, provided by Aurora Mayor Pro Tem Marsha Berzins pic.twitter.com/u35xl3xHiq

Image via City of Aurora