DENVER — Former President Donald Trump will visit Aurora on Friday, his campaign confirmed on Monday.
In its announcement, the Trump campaign called Aurora a "war zone," claiming the city has seen an "influx of violent Venezuelan prison gang members from Tren de Aragua."
Trump will deliver remarks during a rally at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center on Friday at 1 p.m. Doors open at 10 a.m., and people can register to attend through this link.
Gov. Jared Polis issued a statement following the announcement, saying Trump will find "an incredible city with two straight years of rapidly declining crime" during his visit.
“Coloradans stand united in our love of our state, and we are proud to be a beacon for personal freedoms, a vibrant economy, and world class outdoor recreational opportunities. I am sure when he comes to Aurora, he’ll find an incredible city with two straight years of rapidly declining crime that is filled with hard-working people from many diverse backgrounds and small businesses that are driving Colorado’s economy forward. As Coloradans, we are proud of Aurora, proud of Colorado, and proud of the United States of America,” said Polis in a statement.
U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert (R), who oversees Colorado's 3rd Congressional District and is running to represent the state's 4th Congressional District, said she is "ready and thrilled" to have the former president in Colorado.
“As I’ve said for months, we are ready and thrilled to have President Trump visit Colorado as we’ve seen first hand the horrible effects of the Biden-Harris Administration on our communities. From record costs on groceries and gas to dangerous Venezuelan criminals terrorizing our residents, we are sick of Kamala Harris crushing our state and our country’s future. We need President Trump back in office and his rally in Aurora on Friday will highlight everything he plans to do to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” said Boebert in a statement.
On the other hand, Shad Murib, chair of the Colorado Democratic Party, said Trump was visiting Colorado "to spew hatred and division."
“The last time Donald Trump came to Colorado, he helped make certain Cory Gardner would lose his election, and he appears set to do the same to Republican candidates across the state when he visits Aurora this Friday,” said Murib in a statement. “Coloradans aren’t fooled: Trump isn’t coming to Aurora to talk about lifting up working people and creating a safer, more prosperous America; Trump is coming to spew hatred and division that’s not reflective of the Colorado we fight for every day. Hopefully he plays his greatest hits before his supporters start leaving the rally early, per usual.”
Trump’s planned visit comes just over three weeks since the former president vowed to visit Aurora during a New York rally on Sept. 18. He said during an event in Uniondale that he would come to both Aurora and Springfield, Ohio – which has gained national attention over debunked claims that Haitian immigrants were eating residents’ pets – in the ensuing weeks.
"I'm going to go there in the next two weeks,” Trump said. “I'm going to Springfield and I'm going to Aurora. You may never see me again. But that's OK. I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do."
Denver7 has been checking in with city officials since Trump made that claim and was told the city was not aware of any plans to visit.
The former president had referenced Aurora during the presidential debate a week earlier, saying immigrants were “taking over towns” and “taking over buildings.” It was an apparent reference to unsubstantiated claims that Venezuelan gang members had taken over a trio of rundown apartment complexes in Aurora.
We took Trump’s claims to Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, who said they were “dramatically exaggerated.”
While at least one arrest warrant from November of last year states that gang members “believe they own” one of those complexes – Fitzsimons Place at 1568 Nome Street – residents, city officials and law enforcement have denied such claims.
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Attention to the presence of Tren de Aragua members in Aurora exploded when a video went viral of several armed men breaking into an apartment at the Edge of Lowry complex. Police later confirmed that the video was connected to a shooting on Aug. 18 and have since issued warrants for the arrest of all six men in the video.
Police have not linked those men to a gang.
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During his New York rally, Trump also attacked Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, calling him “a Democrat governor who's petrified” by the presence of Venezuelan gang members in his state.
Polis responded, labeling Trump’s comments “economically damaging and hurtful lies.”
“If former president Trump does visit, he will find the city of Aurora is a strong, vibrant, and diverse city of more than 400,000 hardworking Coloradans and a wonderful place to live, run a business, raise a family, and retire,” his statement continued. “I hope the former President takes some time and enjoys some of my favorite haunts like Golden Saigon and Stanley Marketplace. In Aurora, as in Colorado, we have people from all over the world who contribute every day to making it the dynamic, amazing place that it is.”
Trump's visit would be his second in three months. He was in Aspen in August for a fundraising event.
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