Aurora police warn against firing guns for New Year’s celebration

Aurora police are warning residents against celebrating the arrival of 2026 by shooting guns in to the air.

The department announced Tuesday that it will heighten patrols Wednesday night and Thursday morning in areas that have traditionally been problematic.

Officers also will respond to all ShotSpotter activations citywide. ShotSpotter is technology that uses sensors to detect, locate and alert law enforcement of potential gunfire.

“Celebratory gunfire puts innocent people at risk, and our priority is protecting the people who live and work in Aurora,” Chief Matt Thomas said in a news release. “ShotSpotter helps officers get to the right location faster, improves situational awareness, and helps us hold offenders accountable while keeping our community safe — especially during high-risk times like New Year’s Eve.”