Milestones

A milestone is a significant event in the development of history. Each milestone below marks a specific critical decision, event or project in the City’s history.

To simplify things our milestones are broken out by year. Also, they are listed chronologically. The oldest is at the top and the most recent is at the bottom of the page.

Note: We've also received many honors and awards. View a list of accolades.

	Arapahoe Citizens for Self-Determination founded Petition filed with District Court requesting election to incorporate found invalid Second Petition known as the “Centennial Petition” for election to incorporate submitted to District Court The “Centennial Petition” included - 2,500 signatures collected in 6 hours
	District Court found the Centennial Petition to be valid and to take priority over competing annexation proposals and ordered an election on whether Centennial should be incorporated.
	Voters approved the incorporation of the City of Centennial, with 77% of voters in favor.
	City of Centennial established February 7 Randy Pye elected as first Mayor Centennial voters approved a permanent TABOR waiver of sales taxes, property taxes and use taxes and a four-year waiver for all other revenues
	City Council adopts first Code of Ethics and Rules of Conduct.
	Centennial Youth Commission established Centennial Municipal Court established Liquor Licensing Authority established 1% dedicated Sales and Use tax increase approved by the voters
	Centennial's first Comprehensive Plan adopted Centennial dedicates it's first Open Space: eastern section of Bow Tie Park Entered agreement with City of Aurora for Municipal Court Software Renewed contract for additional 3-years with Arapahoe County for Public Works, Law Enforcement and Animal Control services. Broncos Parkway opens giving commuters an east/west alternative to Arapahoe Road City Council approved Centennial Connection newsletter which is mailed to all residents.
	Started hosting "Pye and Coffee" sessions so residents could meet one-on-one with Mayor Pye Local Rotary Club hosted first Centennial "State of Our City" event City Council approves ordinance regulating adult businesses
	New Southeast Light Rail line opened at Dry Creek Station in Centennial Southeast Metro Stormwater Authority (SEMSWA) formed Initiated study of Arapahoe Road corridor from Yosemite Street to Parker Road
	Election of 21 Home Rule Charter Commissioners Council hires Jacque Wedding-Scott as City Manager Implemented a 10-month participatory visioning process: Our Voice, Our Vision, Centennial 2030 Citizens approved TABOR exemption allowing the City to keep revenues from fees and fines above the TABOR cap Redesigned the City's website to focus on services to the community
	City purchased property at 13133 E. Arapahoe Rd. for new Civic Center and park City approved master plan for Parks, Trails, Recreation and Open Space Voters approve Home Rule Charter. The approved Charter serves as a "constitution" for the City. Hosted the first 'Best of Centennial' Business Awards event CH2M Hill (now Jacobs) contracted to provide Public Works services The new Public Works contract brought about a new Call Center operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year City Council brought the Planning & Development functions into the City government after seven years of using a private contractor Signed a 10-year agreement for law enforcement services with the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office
	Election Commission, Audit Committee, Budget Committee and Investment Committee established as required by Home Rule Charter The renovated Streets at SouthGlenn opened Implemented online payment system for Municipal Courts Launched 'Explore Centennial' Shop Local program, March 2009 City Council adopted a Coyote Management Plan
	Mayor Cathy Noon takes office Centennial partners with Parker Jordan Metro District to acquire 80 acres of open space along Cherry Creek Updated Land Development Code adopted Centennial unveils Snow and Ice Control Plan Residents completed the first census since the City's incorporation in 2001 Youth Commission awarded first ever Centennial Youth Achievement Award City started accepting new passport applications Completed first phase of the City's first Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Live audio streaming of City Council Meetings first made available through the City's website Utilized funding from the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, developed energy efficiencies (projects ranged from paperless review systems to LED traffic lights) The City converted all of its Traffic Signals to LEDs Centennial partnered with school districts to place school beacons throughout the City City Council approved a moratorium on medical marijuana
	Colorado’s first IKEA opened in Centennial Senior Commission established to advise City Council on matters important to Older Americans Groundbreaking of Centennial Center Park Opening of the Parker Jordan Centennial Open Space Opening of the Centennial Link Trail Launched the Home Improvement Program (HIP) to help with the process and expenses related to home improvement and remodeling Completed the City's first-ever roundabout at E. Peakview Avenue and S. Peoria Street Completed construction of 18 miles of new on-street bike lanes as part of a city-wide bike network connection project Purchased 44 acres of land from the United States Postal Service  at Potomac and Fremont The Transportation Master Plan was completed with a list options to improve mobility throughout the City A fresh and newly designed website was launched
	TABOR Ballot Measure 2D passed allowing the City to retain and spend City revenues from any and all current and existing funding sources Grand Opening of first City-owned park, Centennial Center Park (April 27) Acquisition of the Eagle Street Facility for the City's future Public Works facility Hosted a Welcome Home Celebration at Centennial Center Park recognizing Colorado Olympians including resident Missy Franklin
	Ballot Measure 2G passed to restore the City’s right and ability to leverage existing fiber optic infrastructure Eagle Street Facility officially opens to house Centennial Public Works, Animal Services, Code Compliance and the 24/7 Citizen Response Center Reevaluated the snow-route network, created efficiency savings and added an additional 93 miles of streets so all citizens are within 1/8 mile or less of a plowed street Implemented 'Snow Hero' program to encourage people to clear snow and ice City Council extended Public Works contract with  CH2M Hill (now Jacobs) into 2018 Created new program, 'Picture Centennial,' to feature work from local artists in the Civic Center Building Enhanced Centennial Center Park including adding a cover to the existing stage in the amphitheater
	Inaugural Centennial 101 Citizen's Academy class offered to residents Centennial Center Park enhancements complete  Final link to Centennial Link Trail complete Centennial becomes one of the 32 inaugural partner cities in national broadband initiative Centennial awarded Bloomberg Philanthropies Innovation Team Grant The Jones District redevelopment project breaks ground City purchases its first Arctic Shark to assist with ice removal
	Topgolf opens first Colorado location in Centennial Centennial Youth Commission initiated Teen Court Implemented 'Rapid Review Thursdays' as way to complete a variety of over the counter/same day permits Received $1.5 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies Innovation Teams program resulting in the creation of an innovation team (i-team) City Council developed goals and a Fiber Master Plan
	Initiated the Go Centennial pilot program to provide commuters free rides to and from Dry Creek Light Rail Station Centennial joins Transportation for America’s Smart Cities Collaborative to tackle urban mobility challenges City Council allocated $5.7 million to implement the City's Fiber Master Plan and begin constructing the 50-mile fiber backbone. Arapahoe Road – Waco to Himalaya Widening Project Completed
	Established FiberWorks and the Fiber Commission Centennial is a founding member of the 'Colorado Smart Cities Alliance' aimed at making Colorado a leader in the development of intelligence Centennial Trails and Recreation Plan updated
	Mayor Stephanie Piko takes office Centennial NEXT comprehensive plan gets approved Centennial's Fiber backbone completed Joined SMART Cities Alliance Construction is complete and the Fiber backbone is being implemented
	Centennial Mission, Vision & Values adopted by City Council Centennial implements Xcel Energy's Partner's in Energy's Energy Action Plan Centennial installs two Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at City facilities Redesigned the City's website to focus on improved search and an enhanced user experience
	Centennial City Building forced to close for the first time due to the Coronavirus Pandemic City Council meetings conducted virtually for the first time Centennial implemented a new Wheels & Reels movie event series Hosted a naming contest for the first ever trail spanning the entire City from east to west, and residents voted to name it the 'Centennial Link Trail'
	Celebrated 20th year as an incorporated Colorado municipality, and produced a 20-Year commemorative magazine Hosted multiple new events: Four Summer Socials, the 20th Anniversary Celebration, Whiskey Warmer, and the Holiday Artisan Market Developed a Community Grant Program with two grants intended to improve neighborhood collaboration Launched Traffic Box Art Wrap Program to create a drive-by, year-round public art exhibit throughout Centennial Implemented a new licensing and regulatory program for Short-Term Rentals (STR) in Centennial Began exploring housing cost and availability in the City