Aurora City Council will not hold in-person meetings until Kilyn Lewis lawsuit concludes
DENVER (KDVR) — Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman announced Tuesday that the city's council meetings will be held virtually to prevent disruptions while a lawsuit filed on behalf of a man shot and killed by police works its way through the court system.
The message was echoed on the council's webpage. The webpage includes instructions for how members of the public can view the meetings or provide public comment on agenda items. However, all public comment listening sessions have been canceled until further notice.
Family of man killed by Aurora police last May files suit against city, officer who fired deadly shot
The measure was voted on during the June 9 council meeting, with seven in favor, three against, and two members in debate. In May, the council addressed a resolution that would change how it accepts public comment.
'As of right now, criminally, Michael Dieck did not murder Kilyn Lewis,' said councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky. 'It's in the court's hands now, and I would like to suspend this to be virtual until we have an official ruling from the court as to whether or not the city is liable in any way, shape or form for the death of Kilyn Lewis. Because if we are not in fact liable in any way, shape or form for the death of Kilyn Lewis, there is nothing left to discuss, and there's no reason for you to come back.'
Jurinsky added that if the ruling takes years to reach, then she's on board with having virtual meetings until the ruling.
Family and friends of Kilyn Lewis have held protests during several Aurora City Council meetings. The group has been seeking justice after the 37-year-old was shot and killed by an Aurora police officer in May 2024. In October, the district attorney ruled that an officer who shot Lewis would not face charges.
In late May, Lewis' family filed a lawsuit seeking accountability from the Aurora Police Department in their loved one's death. It discusses excessive force, wrongful death and violations of the family's constitutional rights.
'This lawsuit is not just about a dollar amount. It's about truth. It's about making sure that the life of a Black man like Kilyn Lewis is not so easily discarded,' said MiDian Shofner, CEO of the Epitome of Black Excellence and Partnership and lead advocate for the family, in the May 28 announcement of the case filing. 'No amount of money can bring him back, but since America has made money the metric for justice, the family is rightfully pursuing every legal remedy available.'
Coffman wrote on Facebook that he believes the group is simply looking for a check, and then they will 'go away.'
Deadly shooting of Kilyn Lewis leads to new Aurora police SWAT policies: Report
'Until then, they will continue to disrupt our meetings. They have no choice but to continue disrupting our meetings because their lawsuit is meritless. This is why we have no choice but to stop all in-person council meetings, and go virtual, until their lawsuit has been concluded,' Coffman wrote.
He noted that an Arapahoe County Grand Jury was also asked to review the case and declined to pursue charges against the officer.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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